Jim B.
Traveler
TravelerGalveston, state park, TX
Excellent Stay by the Water
We really enjoyed our time here. It was quiet, safe and breezy. The waves made for awesome background sound.
Tent Camping near La Porte, TX
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Tent camping options near La Porte, Texas are primarily located along coastal areas, with two notable dispersed camping areas on Follett's Island and Surfside Beach. These primitive tent camping areas offer direct beach access where visitors can set up tents directly on packed sand with Gulf of Mexico views. Both locations provide free camping without reservations or permits.
Beach camping in this region requires self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal. The compact sand at both Follett's Island and Surfside Beach allows standard vehicles to access camping areas without four-wheel drive in most conditions. There are no designated tent pads, and campers set up directly on the beach. Portable toilets are spaced intermittently along some sections, particularly near access points, but many areas have no facilities whatsoever. Trash receptacles are limited, so pack-out protocols apply. According to one visitor, "You have to be self-sustained since there is nothing here...just you and the gulf."
The coastal tent camping experience offers distinctive advantages for those seeking primitive sites. Areas between beach access points 3 and 5 on Follett's Island tend to be less congested, allowing for more privacy. Campers frequently note the quality of stargazing and the sound of waves as primary attractions. One camper shared that "the stars were excellent at night and the sea breeze made for amazing sleeping weather." Fire rings are not provided, but beach fires are permitted when no burn bans are in effect. Seasonal considerations include intense summer heat requiring shade structures, and occasional high tides that can reach the upper beach. Insects can be problematic, particularly at dusk, with multiple reviews noting that standard repellents are sometimes ineffective against local mosquito populations. Cell service is generally adequate throughout the coastal camping areas.
Best Tent Campgrounds near La Porte (11)
1. Bayou Campground
2. Galveston, state park, TX
"Offers restrooms, shower, electricity, dump stations. You can camp on the beach side or on the inlet side."
3. Follett’s Island Beach
"As others have suggested, the sand is packed more like dirt on this beach, which made it very comfortable to drive in. Our truck and trailer were safe throughout the week."
"We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space. Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between."
4. Job Beason Park
5. ABA Travel Park
6. Paula's Vineyard RV Resort
7. Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping
"You can drive right on the beach! Sunsets are amazing but watch out for the bugs at night!"
8. Tomball RV Park
9. Jamaica Cay
10. Brown Road RV Park
Check Availabilityfrom $325 / night
Drive Time
- 30 min from Houston, TX
- 1 hr from Beaumont, TX
- 1 hr 39 min from College Station, TX
- 1 hr 50 min from Lake Charles, LA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near La Porte, TX
6 Photos of 11 La Porte Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near La Porte, TX
209 Reviews of 11 La Porte Campgrounds
Jean D.
ScoutBayou Campground
Okay not great
In disrepair, bathroom showers not clean or taken care of it's on a bayou very pretty
- RRachel V.Traveler
Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed
Beautiful Oceanside Camping
Free ocean beach camping, the water is clean and the sand is soft, but packed down enough to drive on. I have my 24ft camper trailer here no issues. Very private and peaceful. We are beside a road but there are sand dunes that block the noise. Stores are about a 15min drive away.
- jjeanne A.
GuideWinnie Inn Suites & RV Park
Good for the night
Concrete pad, full hookups and WiFi for $50. Mostly monthly RVs here. Eat at Tia Juanita's across the road if you get the chance. Excellent food.
Gerardo M.ScoutHouston Central RV Park
Really safe and affordable!
The RV camp is safe, accommodating, and very affordable.
Chris C.TravelerGalveston, state park, TX
Camping
Love this campground. Well kept and clean! Right in the Gulf. Can hear the ocean from campsite.
TheaphScoutBrickhouse RV Resort
Park manager is not friendly to guests
I do not recommend staying here. I was bothered by park manager repeatedly. When I stayed here manager was nosy. He only cares about his reputation and how his park looks, he does not like kids and sent out messages to the people staying here recommending them to call Child Protective services if they see any kids playing outside. Bathrooms were frequently dirty, especially on Saturday and Sunday. I am never staying here again. I stayed with my wife and four children. This park is NOT family friendly. We would get mass text messages detailing various different authorities to call to complain about things as simple as children playing outside. The policing by the manager and Clear Lake Shores/Kemah was very excessive. Police would stop at people's homes at midnight to ask for directions to calls where guests should not be bothered by police absent involvement in the call. I saw this happen multiple times. A friend of mine who used to stay out in the park alleged she was assaulted and reported it and retaliation/harassment twice. The manager did not want to assist her by making the man leave or provide video evidence to have the man prosecuted for making it appear he was going to ram her ebike coming up the driveway. There is a convicted sex offender in the park. There were recently criminals staying in the cabins on and off as they do not do background checks. I do not reside in the park anymore. Lee is only concerned about maintaining a resort-style image and his own reputation and ignored significant guest safety concerns, allowing people to be touched against their will and harassed with slurs and name calling. Someone should not be called a B or F by another guest and then that harassment is ignored by management. Management should be addressing those situations. They need to address the steel rebar and unsafe wood hand railing on the docks before some gets seriously injured by the metal rods sticking out of the shore line. A child is going to fall off that pier and there will be a lawsuit to follow if that happens. One guests was even firing a projectile weapon out of his cabin door. The person later disappeared. I observed it when I was taking trash out. The park is not lgbtq friendly. If you take concerns about someone calling you by homophobic slurs to the park manager, the park manager will not get involved or assist you in preventing further anti-gay or lesbian insults being spoken against you by other ill spirited guests. I saw this happen to someone. It was mostly Republicans and rich people passing through. Edit: after I left the manager asked another guest that is staying there where I live. The manager appears to be trying to get at me personally since I have left 2 reviews for his park staying my experience.
Brandy C.GuideWild Country RV Park
Wild country rv park
Ive been living here off and on for the past 10 years or so were under new management cali has done alot to improve this park she had the pool remodeled added a dog park she is affordable fixes anything you come to her with the best office managers any where they have great attitudes they are very involved with our community kim and ms. Barbara and Cali always doing special things for the kiddos its a great family place to be and we are convent to grocery stores walmarts alot of fast food places its very quiet and peaceful you jus feel at home here.. love living here.
David B.GuideRayford Crossing RV Resort
Professional park for work/urban customers
This is a 5 star property across the board. The management company owns several nationwide and it's clear they know what they are doing.
The park is near the border of The Woodlands and Spring. It's much quieter than either town yet close to both with groceries, restaurants, and all that jazz just minutes away.
I'm using this park as I transition to fulltime RV life, moving out of my home in The Woodlands. Many people here work in town or are here seasonally, such as petroleum industry folks.
The park is like a mini RV show with several large and high end units and many folks with vehicles in addition to their RVs. If you're looking for urban but woodsy in a clean and safe environment, look no further!
Guide to La Porte
Tent camping near La Porte, Texas primarily occurs in coastal settings along the Gulf of Mexico. The region sits at near sea level elevation with flat terrain and sand-based soil that allows standard vehicles to access most camping areas without specialized equipment. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below 45°F with occasional strong wind conditions coming off the water.
What to do
Wildlife photography opportunities: During quieter periods between access points 3 and 5 on Follett's Island Beach, visitors can photograph coastal birds and marine life. "We had a blast! We were living on the beach in our 39ft skoolie for 5 days over christmas!" reported Jadon B., who camped during winter when bird activity increases.
Beach fishing: Surf fishing is productive from the same beaches where camping occurs, particularly during morning and evening hours. "My dogs ran free. I moved up here from Access Road #1 two days ago to get away from people and noise congestion and was successful," noted Lisa S., who observed "apparently, the fishing is pretty good, too" with "cast fishermen with pickups at water's edge" during her stay.
Evening beach fires: When burn bans are not in effect, small beach fires are permitted at Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping. "Beautiful night stargazing and relaxing with the ocean waves. The days bright sun and cool water gave us great joy," shared Alana B., who enjoyed nighttime activities at this location.
What campers like
Sand quality for vehicle access: The hard-packed sand at coastal camping areas permits standard vehicle access. "Very easy to access regardless of car type you have, won't get stuck in sand," reports Mitchell M. of Follett's Island Beach, noting "This is a 13 mile Long Beach, so amenities may be far and few."
Spacing between campsites: The extended shoreline provides ample distance between campers. "Free beach camping between access 3 and 5. Stayed here end of December. Nice temperatures and great view on the gulf. A lot of space. Some campers but a lot privacy," according to Stefan H., highlighting the benefit of dispersed camping options.
Food truck service: During peak periods, mobile vendors visit Tomball RV Park, providing convenient food options. "This was our first family camping trip and very beautiful spacious and clean!" noted Roxanne G., who found the park suitable for introducing children to camping.
What you should know
Seasonal wind conditions: Winter brings northerly winds that can affect tent stability, while summer has gentler but consistent sea breezes. "Minimal traffic in September and the beach was still cleaned of seaweed and debris daily due to the hurricane and higher tides - but we only had water touch our tires one night," shared Cultivating Fire L., documenting post-storm conditions at Follett's Island Beach.
Limited accessibility information: Few online resources detail exact access points. "It's tricky to find because there are only two access roads and you have to drive one way on the beach, so don't miss the small sign that says free beach access road," warns Andrea P., adding "There is not much info on the county website either on the address just a 'general idea' on how to get here."
Nighttime noise levels: Vehicle traffic can continue during overnight hours. "Late Last night, there were kids doing wheelies in their pick ups and a very loud ATV blasted by around 2:00 AM so if this kind of thing keeps you awake you've been forewarned," cautions Lisa S. about coastal camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Supply planning: Limited retail options exist near camping areas. "Plan ahead, stores are few and far between," advises BL E., who also noted "Ice Cream & Food Trucks pass throughout the day (if you have a sweet tooth)" at Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping.
Sun protection requirements: Minimal natural shade exists on beach camping areas. "Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT!" suggests BL E. from experience camping during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Bathroom preparation: Toilet facilities are inconsistent across beach areas. "No trash cans or porta pottys either (we didn't mind that, but be prepared to take your trash with & have a bucket for your business, lol)," recommends BL E., highlighting the need for self-sufficiency.
Tips from RVers
Driving route planning: Different access points have varying sand conditions. "Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4," suggests Cultivating Fire L., who tested multiple beach locations, noting "we had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads (check before you drive into the sand)."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. "Class B camping. Had beach mostly to ourselves. Primitive camping with no amenities. Just what we were looking for. Clean and plenty of room. Good cell services," reports Gary N., who successfully maintained communications during winter camping at Follett's Island Beach.
High tide awareness: Tidal patterns can affect vehicle placement. "This is theeeeee spot to be! You can drive right on the beach! Sunsets are amazing but watch out for the bugs at night!" advises Lexi W., highlighting the combination of convenience and natural challenges at Surfside Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near La Porte, TX?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near La Porte, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near La Porte, TX is Bayou Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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tent camping near
La Porte, TX?
What is the best site to find tent camping near La Porte, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near La Porte, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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