Best Dispersed Camping near Johnson City, TX
Dispersed camping near Johnson City, Texas centers around primitive sites along the San Gabriel River Trail that circles Lake Georgetown. Three main primitive camping areas exist in this region: San Gabriel River Trail, Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites, and Walnut Springs Primitive Campground. These areas are free to access with no permits required and permit primitive camping with minimal development. The sites require hikers to park at trailheads and backpack in, as they are only accessible via hiking trails or by boat.
Access to these primitive sites requires hiking several miles from designated parking areas. Sawyer Park campsites are approximately 5 miles from both Tejas Campground and Cedar Breaks Campground access points, while Walnut Springs can be reached by hiking 2 miles from Russell Park or 4 miles from Camp Tejas. None of these sites offer drinking water, toilets, or other amenities. The trail system spans 26.2 miles around Lake Georgetown, crossing through forests, grasslands, small hills, and tributaries. Summer temperatures combined with exposed sections of trail create challenging hiking conditions requiring adequate water supplies.
The primitive camping areas feature some tent pads or cleared areas for camping, though campers may set up tents or hammocks in various zones where suitable space exists. Each site offers different environments, with approximately 40% of the trail providing tree coverage for shade. The primitive nature of these areas requires adherence to Leave No Trace principles, including digging cat holes for waste. According to one visitor, "This is possibly the easiest campground on the Good Water Trail to get to, which may result in more people at this site than others." Weekend visitors are likely to encounter other backpackers or scout troops practicing backpacking skills, while weekdays tend to be quieter. A recent review noted, "Large open area with fire pits, lamp hangers, picnic tables, trees closer to the trail, and grassy areas closer to the water."
