LBJ National Grasslands offers primitive camping near Krugerville, Texas with various dispersed sites scattered throughout the 20,000-acre property. The grasslands sit at approximately 700 feet elevation in a predominantly oak and mesquite ecosystem. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, and winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Wildlife observation opportunities: Visitors to LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping can spot numerous wildlife species. "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," reports one camper. Deer, armadillos, wild hogs, and various bird species are frequently spotted.
Fishing access: Multiple ponds throughout the grasslands provide fishing opportunities. Several small lakes within the property allow bank fishing. "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," notes a visitor to Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping.
Hiking trails: The grasslands feature several unmarked paths and service roads for exploration. "Great hiking. Downloadable hiking maps availability on other apps," mentions a recent visitor. For those willing to venture farther from Krugerville, the Cross Timbers Trail offers more challenging terrain approximately 50 miles north near Lake Texoma.
What campers like
Solitude and spacing: Campers consistently mention the privacy between sites. "Remote dispersed. Great camping for north central Texas. The sites are a good distance between them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more. Only saw 3 other cameras while we were here," shares a camper from January 2023.
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote camping areas, most sites in the grasslands maintain reasonable connectivity. "Was in a roof top tent but had no problem with wind noise, good cell service," reports a visitor to 5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping. Another camper notes, "AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s."
Established fire rings: Most dispersed sites feature rock fire rings created by previous visitors. "Most areas have rock campfires setups that people have made," one camper reports. These established rings help maintain fire safety while providing cooking and warmth options.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The open terrain experiences significant wind, especially on hilltop sites. "It did get rather windy but I was on top of the hill. Live and learn," reports one camper. Summer storms can develop quickly, and the clay-based soil becomes slippery when wet.
Water access: No potable water exists on site. "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," advises a visitor to Eagle's Roost Campsite.
Navigational challenges: GPS coverage can be unreliable on service roads. "Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best," recommends a recent visitor. Several unmarked road junctions require careful navigation, particularly after dark.
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: The grasslands contain grazing cattle that roam freely. Children should maintain safe distances from livestock. "There is cattle on the property which was really nice to watch," notes one camper, though families should exercise appropriate caution around unfamiliar animals.
Night sky viewing: The relative distance from major cities makes this area suitable for stargazing. "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," suggests one visitor to Dead Pump Jack.
Primitive bathroom planning: With no facilities available, families need to prepare accordingly. "True Dispersed Camping with the added benefit of cell coverage. Bring a shovel and TP!" advises one experienced camper. Teaching proper waste disposal techniques is essential for family trips.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Many forest service roads become challenging for larger rigs. "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," warns one camper about certain areas.
Scouting recommendation: Due to limited turnaround areas, unhitching and scouting ahead is advised. "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."
Self-containment necessity: With zero facilities, RVers must be completely self-sufficient. "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!" reports a visitor about stocking up on supplies.
