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Best Tent Camping near South Houston, TX

198 Reviews

Coastal areas surrounding South Houston, Texas provide several tent camping options, with beach camping being particularly popular. Follett's Island Beach and Surfside Beach offer free dispersed tent camping directly on the beach, allowing campers to set up tents just yards from the Gulf of Mexico. Big City Little Farm, located north of Houston, provides a more established tent campground with six designated tent sites and basic amenities. Tomball RV Park, despite its name, accommodates tent campers with walk-in tent sites about 30 miles northwest of South Houston. These primitive tent camping locations offer varying levels of amenities and accessibility.

Most beach tent campsites require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal or nonexistent. Follett's Island Beach features compacted sand that accommodates standard vehicles without requiring 4WD, with multiple beach access points between Access Roads #3 and #5. Campers should be prepared with all necessary supplies as stores are limited in the area. Portable toilets and trash cans are available in some sections, though their placement is inconsistent. Fire rings are not provided, but beach fires are permitted when no burn bans are in effect. The Big City Little Farm offers more amenities for tent campers, including water hookups, toilets, showers, and picnic tables.

The beach camping experience varies significantly between weekdays and weekends. One camper noted, "There weren't a lot of people on the beach during the week, but the weekend was slammed with all sorts of vehicles." Winter and fall visitors report mild temperatures and fewer insects, making these seasons ideal for tent-only camping. According to reviews, the beach provides "plenty of space for privacy" and "the stars were excellent at night with sea breezes making for amazing sleeping weather." Tent campers should be prepared for persistent coastal insects during warmer months, as several visitors mentioned that bugs were "immune to every form of insect repellent." Despite these challenges, the opportunity for backcountry tent camping with ocean views and the sound of waves makes these locations popular choices for primitive camping near South Houston.

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Best Tent Sites Near South Houston, Texas (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near South Houston, TX

6 Photos of 11 South Houston Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near South Houston, TX

198 Reviews of 11 South Houston Campgrounds

  • Napunani
    Dec. 13, 2022

    Brazos Bend State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    This would be a 5 star if there was sewer hookup 

    PROS 

    No fee to make my own on-line reservations

    Park security gate closed overnight hours 

    Good space between sites 

    Grass mowed in each site 

    Extra wide campground roadway 

    Quiet during our weeknight stay 

    Wooden and metal picnic table on concrete slab 

    Pedestal BBQ grill 

    Metal firering (no cooking grate) 

    Clean, climate controlled toilet/shower facility. 

    Ample supply of TP, and hand soap but hand dryer didn’t work and no paper towels. Campfire wood for sale via honor system in the campground 

    Regular ranger patrol through campground

    Lots of dumpsters throughout the campground

    .85 miles round trip from site 114 to closest toilet/shower facility 

    2 bars T-MOBILE 

    CONS 

    No discount for a one night stay 

    Aggressive raccoons 

    Site 114 not level 

    No lantern pole in campsite 

    Site picnic table is anchored to concrete slab and not moveable 

    No WiFi

  • H
    Sep. 29, 2016

    Camp Mohawk County Park

    County park by Houston

    Nice wooded campground with a lot of camping and recreation options.Lots of day use activity. Shady camp sites! Nice basic tent camping with clean facilities. Came here to enjoy the wildlife refuges nearby so didn’t use the park too much, but it’s nice for what it is.

  • Red S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Brazos Bend State Park Campground

    Excellent campground.

    This is an excellent campground. In my opinion, the camper pads are really nice. Long and wide can accommodate small or large campers and motorhomes. They are fire rings picnic tables. There's firewood for sale, lots of wildlife sightings. I got 5G network with T-MOBILE service and excellent television reception. The bathrooms and showers are really clean.

  • Curtis D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2021

    Whites County Park Campground

    Nice Place

    Nice place for overnighting. Or camp for the 3 day limit. Nice clean park. Sites have concrete picnic tables. But bring a fly swatter for the mosquitoes. A couple got into my home on wheels and when I killed them they left a big bloodstain. Otherwise not a bad place. Is there is a shell gas station across the street for food and guess. They did have 2 bathroom houses only one of them was clean. No showers. There were water spickets all over the place. I don't know if it's potable or not. It was dry camping so I already came prepared. You do need a permit for 3 day stay limit. You can obtain one by going on the website and calling and talk to Brandy she will email you one. This is a County park.

  • Melodie H.
    Aug. 13, 2018

    Galveston Island State Park Campground

    Tent camping

    Tents are allowed at Surfside sites but they are more difficult to get reservations then at the tent sites a couple miles from the surf. we stayed in the tent sites away from the surf. Fishing was close by. water at the sites but no electric. Electric and water at Surfside sites. Mosquitoes are worse at Surfside at night. Full hookups available with dump stations for RVs.

  • Eby H.
    Jul. 23, 2017

    Brazos Bend State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Kameng Boots by Mishmi Takin at Brazos Bend State Park

    Campground Review

    It's incredible that I was born and raised in Houston and have lived here the past four years but haven't made it out to Brazos Bend State Park until now! A quick, 45 minute drive southwest will get you out of the concrete jungle that is the sprawling Space City metropolis and into one of the lushest, greenest parts of Texas. Brazos Bend is a "Nature Lover's Paradise" - there is abundant wildlife. There is great fishing, ample bird watching, and lots and lots of alligators (!). Lots of trails for walking, running, biking, and horseback riding. The George Observatory is a pretty amazing feature of this park (but only open Saturdays).

    We arrived at Brazos Bend on a Friday afternoon and were able to walk-in no problem. Walk-in rate is $12/day + the daily park entrance fee ($5 for adults, free for kids). I have a Texas State Parks Pass so we didn't have to pay the entrance fees (saved us $40 for two nights of camping!). Additionally there were several other great options including: Full-Site RV hook-up ($25/night), Standard Camping ($20/night, incl. water & electricity), and 14 Cabins ($80-200/night but have everything you could ever need or want).

    We did a lot of nature walks, game playing, and swimming during our two days at Brazos Bend State Park. Summer is probably not the best time to visit any park in Texas - its hot and muggy and the mosquitos are out in full force. Bring your DEET. Seriously. Despite that though, we were very pleasantly surprised by the amenities (swimming pool, screened in picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads!)

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - this past weekend at Brazos Bend I tested out the Kameng Mid eVent Waterproof Hiking Boot by Mishmi Takin.

    These boots have got it all.

    First, these boots are hella comfortable! I was blown away how comfortable they were right out of the box. Over the years, I've owned many pairs of hiking boots and they all required a significant break-in period. Not these!

    Second, they're waterproof AND breathable. Not water resistant, like actually water proof.

    Third, the look great. All 3 color schemes are fantastic I had a tough time choosing between green, grey and orange.

    Fourth, so lightweight. These only weigh 1.5lbs so even though they are boots, they won't weigh you down.

    5/5 Would Recommend.

  • Teresa W.
    Dec. 19, 2018

    Galveston Island State Park Campground

    Galveston Island. Eco tourism friendly

    Beach side sites for RV or tents. High winds. All close to bath houses and beach walkovers. Bay side has two overnight loops. Tent loop has bath house, no electric, all open loop, next to great marsh view. RV loop has large public pavilion.
    Quiet park Great hiking, kayaking, private beach, ranger programs, birding, fishing.

  • Nona A.
    May. 12, 2017

    Galveston Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful Place to Camp

    There are two area's for camping in the park. The Bay Side is about 1.5 miles from the beach and about 150 yards from the restrooms/showers. The other is Beach side and is located close to the beach. Both offer electric and water hookups for campers. This restrooms and showers are clean. Park staff are very friendly and helpful. Each site has a shaded picnic table. The park offers beautiful beaches and hiking trails. Take a hike through wetlands lot's of wild life to see. Great place for those who are into birding. Park offers swimming, fishing, kayaking/ boating, hiking. Lot's do do for all ages.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2019

    Brazos Bend State Park Campground

    Brazos Bend State Park + Aligators!

    Ok, I'll admit it. I visited this park for one reason only… to see alligators.

    Brazos Bend State Park does have other attractions like miles of hiking trails, campsites, water fowl and migratory birds, but the real attraction for me was simply to see live alligators in their natural habitat. If you have the same motive, this park will not disappoint. 

    This park is located outside of Houston. During much of the year the temperature can be warm to hot and muggy. I think that the best time of the year to visit might be in the winter during November, December or January. At other times of the year you may need to fight off mosquitos as big as alligators.

    There are a number of trails to hike, but I chose trails that would provide the greatest opportunity to see alligators. So we hiked along the 40 Acre Lake to Elm Lake Loop. We first saw a number of water fowl - ducks, cranes, egrets. Then right along the trail we saw a fairly large alligator. Now there are signs that warn to stay a safe distance away from the alligators and it is solid advice. But simply staying on the trail allowed me to pass about 30 feet in front of a resting alligator. I'm guessing that if the alligator wanted to get up and chase me it could have. I just calculated that I didn't need to be faster than the alligator, I just needed to be faster than my hiking buddies.

    We all survived and it was a pleasant experience.

Guide to South Houston

Tent camping near South Houston, Texas, offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature while still being close to urban amenities. With well-reviewed campgrounds featuring essential facilities, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents.

Tent campers should check out local parks with great amenities

  • Tomball RV Park provides picnic tables, toilets, and water hookups, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Job Beason Park offers essential facilities like drinking water and toilets, perfect for a hassle-free camping experience.
  • Paula's Vineyard RV Resort features showers and trash disposal, ensuring a clean and convenient stay.

Explore nearby attractions and activities

  • Follett’s Island Beach allows for beach camping with the unique opportunity to have campfires right on the sand, creating a memorable experience.
  • Houston West RV Park is conveniently located for easy access to major highways and attractions, making it ideal for day trips into the city.
  • Big City Little Farm offers a serene camping experience with farm animals and a beautiful night sky, perfect for those looking to unwind.

Enjoy unique features at these campgrounds

  • Leisure Lane RV Resort - Magnolia boasts a pool and workout room, providing extra leisure options for campers.
  • Bayou Campground is a great spot for those seeking a peaceful environment, with ample space for tent camping.
  • Bambolea offers a reservable site with firewood and picnic tables, making it a cozy choice for gatherings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near South Houston, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near South Houston, TX is Bayou Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near South Houston, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near South Houston, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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