Dispersed camping opportunities near Graford, Texas include both waterfront and inland primitive sites. The surrounding Hill Country terrain features limestone formations, oak-juniper woodlands, and seasonal wildflower displays. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevation camping areas.
What to do
Fishing access points: Hunter Park provides shoreline fishing opportunities along the Brazos River with multiple designated areas. According to camper Jesse P., "Great spot for fishing/boating. Free camping near the water. Can't beat that with a stick. We came in February and it was cold that night."
Wildlife observation: Set up near meadows at LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 where multiple habitat types support diverse wildlife. Ronald S. notes: "Remote dispersed. Great camping for north central Texas. The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more."
Sunset viewing: The elevated campsites throughout the grasslands provide unobstructed western views. Michelle A. at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland describes: "We soon found a pretty great vista view from which the spectacular sunset was just a great bonus. Will make a note to use this stop en route out of the central part of the state going west for future trips."
What campers like
Relative isolation: The spacing between primitive sites allows for privacy without complete isolation. Christopher L. says of LBJ National Grasslands: "Remote, quiet, simple beauty. Easy access, cool area. Worth checking out for a low profile weekender or hike."
Accessibility despite remoteness: Most dispersed sites remain accessible without specialized vehicles. At Dead Pump Jack, Joey B. reports: "Not too far off the beaten path but just far enough. I wouldn't bring anything towed or longer than a B van since there are some major ruts."
Established fire rings: Many primitive sites include previously constructed fire rings despite minimal facilities. Griffin K. shares about Forest Road 904: "Most areas have rock campfires setups that people have made. Very remote so bring what you need. Very quiet you won't hear anyone besides the wildlife at night!"
What you should know
Seasonal water hazards: Bug Beach area can become problematic during warmer months. Jen M. warns: "Beautiful, off the beaten track, free, lots of trails and pull off areas to overnight. If you can navigate around the dense razor sharp grass burrs. Within minutes my tent, pets, shoes and tires were covered and difficult to remove."
Limited water access: No potable water exists at most primitive sites. Mesha P. advises: "No bathrooms but there are some at tadra and black creek. There is also water available at those campsite but it's not potable so pack water in or bring a filtration system."
Varying weekend occupancy: Weekends see significantly higher usage than weekdays at most sites. Tim O. notes about LBJ Grasslands: "True Dispersed Camping with the added benefit of cell coverage. Spots are very well spaced out. Only a mile drive to a pond for water for camp showers and putting out fires."
Tips for camping with families
Open field sites: Hunter Park provides expansive open areas suitable for group activities. Sav observes: "A cute little park with lots of picnic tables, a pier, and a huge field. The bathrooms were closed but they supplied a porta potty and the nearest gas station is only about two minutes away."
Wildlife education opportunities: Free-ranging cattle and deer frequent many camping areas, providing wildlife viewing for children. Jennifer N. shares about LBJ Grasslands: "There are cattle on the property which was really nice to watch! It did get rather windy but I was on top of the hill."
Shade considerations: Limited tree cover at some sites requires additional sun protection planning. As Sav notes about Hunter Park: "The lake is gorgeous, but if you are car camping or tent camping, be wary about the fact that there will be little to no shade."
Tips from RVers
RV size limitations: Small to medium RVs work best for most dispersed camping areas. Michelle T. warns about certain LBJ Grassland areas: "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. To give you an idea- we drove a Toyota 4Runner and a small utility trailer with a roof top tent on it."
Loop configurations: Hunter Park offers easier navigation for larger vehicles. According to Sav: "Plenty of space for a big rig, and the whole thing is designed in a loop, so no backing out necessary! Plus all driving areas to and from the campsite, as well as in it, are paved."
Cell service reliability: Most sites maintain usable connectivity despite remote locations. Ray & Terri F. report about Possum Kingdom BRA #1: "AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s."
