Best Dispersed Camping near Grapevine, TX

Dispersed camping opportunities exist near Grapevine, Texas, primarily within the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands. These free primitive sites include Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping, LBJ National Grassland Dispersed Camping, and Dead Pump Jack. The sites are approximately 60 miles northwest of Grapevine, offering remote camping experiences without facilities. According to reviews, sites are widely spaced with established fire rings, providing privacy and natural surroundings. Approximately 22 documented sites exist throughout the area, with more potentially undiscovered.

No amenities are available at these dispersed sites. Campers must bring all necessary water, as no potable sources exist on-site. Several campers noted that water is available at nearby Tadra and Black Creek areas, but it requires filtration. The area operates on strict pack-in, pack-out principles. Cell service varies throughout the grasslands, with most areas receiving adequate coverage. Fires are permitted in established rings when no burn bans are in effect.

Access roads vary in quality throughout the grasslands. Forest Road 904 features well-maintained gravel surfaces suitable for most vehicles. Vehicle recommendations differ based on specific sites. As one visitor reported, "I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads." Small to mid-sized vehicles navigate the area best, while large RVs should park near entrance gates and scout locations first. The Dead Pump Jack area contains significant ruts that limit access to smaller vehicles. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, armadillos, hogs, and various bird species. Cattle frequently graze throughout the grasslands and may approach camping areas, particularly in morning hours.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Grapevine, Texas (3)

    1. LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Alvord, TX
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (940) 627-5475

    "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."

    "Remote, quiet, simple beauty. Easy access, cool area. Worth checking out for a low profile weekender or hike."

    2. Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Alvord, TX
    40 miles
    Website

    "We stumbled upon this dispersed camping area after driving forest service roads for a while. I would NOT recommend taking any kind of trailer or motorhome down these roads and to this spot. "

    "Was transiting between central Texas toward Colorado in an off-grid TT and didn’t want to venture far off 287 for a comfortable, quiet & safe place to stay for the night."

    3. Dead Pump Jack

    1 Review
    Alvord, TX
    42 miles

    "Not to 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 no no trespassing signs"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Grapevine, TX

13 Reviews of 3 Grapevine Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping

    Local area we stumbled upon- TREAT IT WELL

    We stumbled upon this dispersed camping area after driving forest service roads for a while. 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. Though this is some room down there, if someone else is there, I would move on. 

    There were some locals who came through and talked to us for a while when they were fishing in the lake. They said that they had been coming to this spot for 30+ years and rarely saw anyone else there. So this is my plea- if you come here, be respectful and clean up after yourself. If you are there in the right time of the year, stay out late and turn off your lights- you'll get a night surprise.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping

    Worked Well for Overnight

    Was transiting between central Texas toward Colorado in an off-grid TT and didn’t want to venture far off 287 for a comfortable, quiet & safe place to stay for the night. Taking the Trinity exit north off the loop around Decatur and using the navigation to the LBJ Grasslands to Park Rd 904 access was easy (& scenic). Once inside you could tell there’d been recent rain but the wet areas were easily avoided. Sites are spacious and 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2024

    LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    Very remote

    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. Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best. No bathrooms, water, etc. Pack in/pack out. Downloadable hiking maps availability on other apps. Only saw 3 other cameras while we were here. Great hiking.

  • Jennifer N.
    Jan. 9, 2023

    LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    Nice boondocking!

    This was my first experience boondocking. Absolutely loved the location! Not too far from town if you need something. There is also a water dispensary in Decatur which is nice and convenient! 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. Live and learn.

  • C
    May. 19, 2022

    LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area, very quiet

    Great area that was remote, but easy to get to with few others around. Found a site with beautiful views, but previous visitors left behind debris - if you use, please practice pack in/out principals!

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2021

    LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    This is a fairly remote area of north-central Texas

    The roads to the area are paved and fairly decent, though the stretch on CR 2461 is quite narrow. Forrest Road 904, where the dispersed camping is located, is hard packed gravel and in fairly good shape. We parked our 36’ Class A on the side of FR 904, just inside the gate, unhooked our Cherokee and went to scope out the area. There were a number of established and very widely spaced campsites along the FR, each with a fire pit, though all but a few were occupied on the weekend. Several sites were even pull-throughs. We did find a nice pull-through, overlooking the valley to the NW. We had the whole area to our selves on Sunday and Monday. Lots of steers grazing around the area and right up to the RV most mornings. AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s. 

    We approached this area, FR 904 and the dispersed camping area, via FM 730 and CR 2461, but there are other routes. If you have a tow vehicle, drop it just inside the gate, leave your RV and go scope out a suitable campsite, as turning around with a large rig is only practical in a couple of locations.

  • Griffin K.
    Nov. 10, 2021

    LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping

    Great views!

    Awesome trip with the pup! 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!


Guide to Grapevine

Dispersed camping areas near Grapevine, Texas are concentrated within the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands, approximately 60 miles northwest of the city. The grasslands encompass over 20,000 acres of mixed-use public land across Wise and Montague counties, with elevations ranging from 700-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F while winter nights frequently drop below freezing, creating seasonal considerations for visitors planning free camping trips.

What to do

Wildlife observation opportunities: The LBJ National Grasslands provide habitats for diverse wildlife. According to Ronald S., who visited Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping, you can "see deer, armadillos, hogs, and birds" throughout the area. Download wildlife checklists from the Forest Service website before visiting.

Fishing in nearby ponds: Several small lakes and ponds are accessible from dispersed camping areas. Tim O. notes there's "only a mile drive to a pond for water for camp showers and putting out fires" from LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping. Local fishing regulations apply.

Hiking on unmarked trails: The grasslands feature numerous hiking opportunities. Ronald S. mentions "great hiking" and advises to "download hiking maps before getting here" as cell service can be unreliable in certain sections of the grasslands.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently mention the ample distance between established camping spots. A visitor to Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping named Michele A. described the sites as "spacious" with "a pretty great vista view from which the spectacular sunset was just a great bonus."

Night sky viewing: The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. Michelle T. recommends: "If you are there in the right time of the year, stay out late and turn off your lights—you'll get a night surprise." Light pollution is minimal in most areas of the grasslands.

Peace and solitude: Most campers emphasize the quiet nature of dispersed camping in this area. Christopher L. described Forest Road 904 as having "remote, quiet, simple beauty" and considered it "worth checking out for a low profile weekender or hike."

What you should know

No facilities available: Free camping near Grapevine requires complete self-sufficiency. Mesha P. points out that while "no bathrooms" exist at Forest Road 904, "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."

Variable cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the grasslands. Abraham reports "good cell service" at Forest Road 904, while Ronald S. cautions that "cell is not the best" and recommends downloading maps before arrival.

Local traffic considerations: Some areas experience visitors beyond campers. At Dead Pump Jack, Joey B. notes the location is "not too far off the beaten path but just far enough" to provide solitude while remaining accessible.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection strategy: With approximately 22 documented dispersed sites across the grasslands, planning is essential. Ronald S. advises: "You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more."

Water planning: No potable water exists at dispersed sites. Jennifer N. shares a practical tip: "There is also a water dispensary in Decatur which is nice and convenient!" Plan for 1-2 gallons per person per day during summer months.

Livestock awareness: Cattle frequently graze throughout the grasslands. Ray & Terri F. observed "lots of steers grazing around the area and right up to the RV most mornings." Teach children appropriate behavior around livestock for safety.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle considerations: Road conditions limit access for certain vehicles. Joey B. warns about Dead Pump Jack: "I wouldn't bring anything towed or longer than a B van since there are some major ruts." Scout locations before committing to a particular site.

Utility planning: Without hookups, free camping requires power and water management. Jennifer N. shares her experience: "This was my first experience boondocking. Absolutely loved the location! Not too far from town if you need something." Town amenities in Decatur are approximately 30 minutes away.

Site logistics: For larger rigs, preparation is essential. Ray & Terri F. suggest: "If you have a tow vehicle, drop it just inside the gate, leave your RV and go scope out a suitable campsite, as turning around with a large rig is only practical in a couple of locations." Most Forest Service roads are gravel with varying maintenance levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Grapevine, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Grapevine, TX is LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Grapevine, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Grapevine, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.