Looking for the best Galveston dispersed camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Galveston just for you.
Follett's Island is the 13-mile stretch of public access beach along the Gulf of Mexico that protects Christmas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway from severe weather, and provides the community with free entertainment and relaxation. Visitors of Follett's Island enjoy fishing, swimming, and camping along the beach year round. The beach is available via public access entrances along Bluewater Highway, or CR 257.
From miles of sandy beaches, pristine bays and bayous, to bottomland hardwood forests, come experience the diverse and beautiful landscapes that Brazoria County has to offer. Also, there's great fishing, camping, paddling, and birding - all of which you can find within Brazoria County Parks.
Included in our park system are 10 parks, 23 miles of sandy beaches, 21 boat ramps, two RV campgrounds, historical homes, interpretive centers, day use facilities, playgrounds, horseshoe and volleyball pits, and picnic areas. We also offer meeting room, cabin, dormitory, pavilion, and chapel rentals.
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Traveler
Drove in on a Monday and love it already. They were combing the beach section I came in on and I picked the first spot that was at least 100 yds away from the only two others that were there. So far so great.
ScoutDoes not have the white sands of South Padre, but not much of a chance of getting stuck unless you really try. Dodge 2wd 1500 pulling 10 ft trailer with no issues getting in and out. Very quite during the week. There is some trash around and that is sad. We picked up every day but still needs help fosterm all. Weekend it get a bit crowed and becouse of the hard pack sand, some people we're going alot faster then the 15 mile an hour speed limit. Weelend also brings vender trucks coming down the beach all the time. We were a bit irritated at 1st but then bought ice-cream LOL We live in Fort Worth and the trip here is about 200 miles shorter then South Padre so it will be a great place to hit when we dont want to travel that extra 200
Traveler
Me and my fiancé went to Bolivar Flats to camp out with our friends and had a really awesome time!
Guide
We drove our 32ft class C (with tow dolly attached) on the beach without any issue getting in or out, and we saw multiple 2 wheel drive vehicles drive allllll the way down the beach. The sand is compact basically all the way throughout the entire beach. The weather was cloudy when we were there but the potential for a beautiful sunrise on the beach is there. There weren’t a lot of people on the beach during the week, but the weekend was slammed with all sorts of trucks and cars parked on the beach. Some small businesses drove by selling goods from their vehicles, like ice cream trucks and flags.
Oh! And you know the scenes in movies where they have a campfire on the beach? But no beach ever allows a campfire? They allow them here!
RangerHard packed sand. Tide is safely far from the rig. Boondocking and waking up to the ocean sound is amazing. Take a walk with a garbage bag and help pick up liter left by others
TravelerGreat place to park. Pulled in with 23 ft trailer and no problems. No amenities. Great spot to camp for up to 14 days. Few other campers but plenty spread out. Love this spot.
RangerWe camped out on the beach for three days at a few different locations and had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads (check before you drive into the sand) Minimal traffic in September and the beach was still cleaned of seaweed and debris daily due to the hurricane and higher tides - but we only had water touch our tires one night. Overall, great spot! Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4
ScoutWe camp overnight and it wasn’t much people probably because is been raining every day but the 2 days we stay didn’t rain at all, so it was nice weather and wasn’t hot.
RangerWe have stayed here multiple times in our camper van. There were RV’s there, other camper vans, and tents! There are no hook ups, water, or trash available - pack it in, pack it out, please! Driving along the sand packed beach was easy. Plenty of space to spread out. Obviously it’s not clear water and white sand beach, but the view is still amazing and listening to the ocean waves is dreamy. There are a few convenience stores nearby, but it’s highly recommended to stop for groceries elsewhere. Cell signal is strong
ScoutSo honestly I didn't choose a good weekend to do my first camping trip here (memorial weekend) but that didn't impact the trip at all. It also helped that we've stayed here a few times and knew the area well enough. There were a lot of people but they were all polite and there were accessible bathrooms (port-o-pottys). The police patrolled often and the ice cream trucks did too which helped on such a hot weekend but the nice breeze off the water was amazing. The dogs had a fantastic time as well. Sunrise on the beach made the whole experience.
GuideThe wide open Beach is of theirs have said 27 miles long and the water is cold right now but it's still pretty nice, one local person pointed out that you should know the number of the garbage barrel you are near each one has a different number so people can get to you in an emergency or she said they also deliver but you have to know your garbage barrel number. There's lots of space so no reason to park on top of each other so to speak but it's good to hang with other people just remember not everybody wants company haha overall I think with 27 miles you should be able to find something that works for you very chill good place
TravelerClass B camping. Had beach mostly to ourselves. Primitive camping with no amenities. Just what we were looking for.
Clean and plenty of room. Good cell services. Not much in the area so pack your pantry in advance.
ScoutFree beach camping between access 3 and 5. Stayed here end of December. Nice temperatures and great view on the gulf. A lot of space. Some campers but a lot privacy. Sand is not soft so no 4x4 required. You have to he self sustained since there is nothing here...just you and the gulf.
ScoutGreat place to stay in the beach in Texas.
GuideVery nice strip of beach. Very easy to access regardless of car type you have, won’t get stuck in sand. This is a 13 mile Long Beach, so amenities may be far and few. Didn’t have any at the spot I stayed. There are multiple beach access points and you can drive right on and drive where you need to get privacy. There was no trash where I stayed and no debris. There is a sand and grass barrier between the beach and the main road. Water is about 100-150 feet from top of beach. Being November, the temperature was mild and there weren’t that many bugs nor people. Lots of gas stations and stores along the way. No need to pay or get permit besides a $2 toll when coming from the East through Galveston.
LegendThe Flatts-Bolivar Peninsula or Crystal Beach is all sort of the same thing. There are 27 miles of sand facing the Gulf of Mexico that you are able to drive on and to camp. Make sure you park high enough that you are above the tide line. You will find all sizes and types of rigs. If you are going to camp you will need to obtain a Bolivar Beach Parking Sticker. The sticker is only $10.00. You can purchase by mail with a self addressed envelope with a check or money order to Bolivar Beach Parking Sticker, PO Box 1679, Crystal Beach, TX 71650 or purchase in person at most stores, real estate agencies on Bolivar or Chamber of Commerce. If you have ATV's or golf cart you will need stickers for those. Stickers are good for one calendar year. There are trash cans and some port a pots. You may have a fire.
Please do not leave trash, take care of the beach and the privilege of free camping on the beach.
LNT
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Legend
Rollover Pass, Texas was first used by smugglers that would transfer their loot between the Gulf and Galveston Bay. Their loot was normally packed into the large wooden barrels and they rolled their loot from one side of the bay to the other. So Rollover Pass was very fitting. Now Rollover Pass is mainly used by locals for fishing. Large sand parking lot where they can park, fish, camp, and spend the weekend. There are porta pots and trash containers and you will find the same lots on both sides of the highway. The property is privately owned. There are no signs stating that you may camp but it has been accepted policy for some time. Sand is hard packed.
LNT
BTYFI
Travel safe
TravelerGreat time fishing here
TravelerFree beach camping, No reservations needed! We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space. Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between. NO amenities, water, showers or hookups of any kind. Tmobile Cell service wasn't the best. Generator usage is allowed, but you barely could hear any due to all the space between campers & the WAVES SOUNDING SO AMAZING! Sunrise was beautiful! I'll go again!
Pros: Amazing View, Lots of Space, No harassment, Ice Cream & Food Trucks pass throughout the day (if you have a sweet tooth), beach sand is compacted so you shouldn't get stuck, several beach access roads to enter from. Camp fires 🔥 are permitted & I found firewood laying around.
Cons: North part of island has LOTS of debris, dead trees, branches, etc. No trash cans or porta pottys either (we didn't mind that, but be prepared to take your trash with & have a bucket for your business, lol). A goofball left all their trash scattered when they departed after their 3 hr beach adventure. Most everyone was mindful of leaving things clean. MORE trash cans could help.
GuideWhen I started on my journey, I knew I wanted to spend some considerable time on the beach and Crystal Beach didn't disappoint.
I picked up the $10 beach parking pass and spent about two weeks there the first time.
You do want to make sure you set up on the north side of the beach although that does mean you will deal with the traffic from people driving on the beach and others setting up and blocking your view.
I have seen the tide come almost to the front of my fence. (That I set up for my pups)
You can get propane at Parkers Lumber and almost everything else at the Big Store.
GuidePros: Loved camping on the beach. No problem on the sand. No problem finding a space even on a busy Sunday afternoon. Water was great!
Cons: No trash cans in site. The bugs were immune to EVERY form of insect repellent we threw at them.
That being said. We’d go back.
TravelerFabulous night’s sleep and morning swim and cup of joe! The stars were excellent at night and the sea breeze made for amazing sleeping weather. The morning brought warm sun which allowed for a pleasant frolic in the ocean after waking.
Plenty of space for privacy, very quiet. Sand is very packed and we had no trouble getting in and out. $2 toll if coming from Galveston, so if you come in from the west, this can be avoided.
GuideParked on beach with nobody else in sight. Hard to beat free camping on the beach.
RangerSaturday, March 20,2021 Surfside Beach Access Road #4 Third day here. Temp 72°, light breeze, bright sun.
A couple of other camping rigs in the distance early this morning along with two část fishermen with pickups at water’s edge. My dogs ran free.
I moved up here from Access Road #1 two days ago to get away from people and noise congestion and was successful.
Any vehicle can drive on the upper beach and there is light traffic during the day from beach day users. Late Last night, there were kids doing wheelies in their pick ups and a very loud ATV blasted by around 2:00 AM so if this kind of thing keeps you awake you’ve been forewarned.
You won’t find camping amenities here, just sun, sand, and surf rolling in with waves big enough for light surfing. Apparently, the fishing is pretty good, too.
The Freeport beaches are popular, but clean (I picked up one small bag of trash from around my site. The County came through this morning with a clean up detail of four.) The beach is wide and there are very small Dunes on the up side to camp against. No chance of water encroaching on your campsite.
Love it here.
TravelerWe spent 2 weeks here during the winter. It’s a really quiet spot with a few other RV’s here and there in the beach. We have AT&T and cell service was excellent. Weather was good while we were here although it got pretty windy a few nights. Tents may be difficult. We were in a 26’ travel trailer so it didn’t bother us much. Sand is easy to drive on. Note that the location that this app links you to isn’t correct. If you take 87 almost to the tip of the peninsula (towards the ferry) and turn onto rettilion rd. you’ll arrive at the beach.
TravelerHalf mile stretch at end of access road to left is nice beach with dunes and free dispersed camping. Other sections require permit (on line or in person). Watch tides and weather, but really easy safe beach with big views. There are of course oil tankers visible and so not a pristine natural area. Adjacent to a preserve. Excellent.
GuideCheck the weather! I was there the night of a tornado watch. 70 mile an hour winds and heavy rain. Got alerts on my phone but I had about 6 drinks and did not want to risk those problems, so I braved the storm. Very humbling experience. To be fair, the weather was clear when I started the 500 mile journey to this spot.Weather the other days was great during sunlight. Bring a shovel if you want to start a fire and please be cautious about the winds blowing in. I could very easily see an unsupervised fire causing a devastating event. Nothing better than waking up to the ocean sounds or hearing them with a fire. Bring firewood if you enjoy fires. It's 10 dollars a bundle in town. Unless you wanna drive 50 miles. Great place, a bit of trash but, if you're able. Do your part with some gloves and fill a bag. I filled a bag in about 20 minutes. Would recommend to anyone, and I will be staying there anytime I can get a week to stay. Tide didn't come up closer than 15 yards to the the dunes,, even during a crazy storm.. Safe travels!
Camping near Galveston, Texas, offers a fantastic mix of beach vibes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping in Galveston, TX, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to relax and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Galveston, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Galveston, TX is Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Galveston, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Galveston, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
