Best Dispersed Camping near Lago Vista, TX
Primitive camping opportunities near Lago Vista, Texas are concentrated along the San Gabriel River Trail which circles Lake Georgetown for 26.2 miles through forests, grasslands, and small hills. Three main dispersed camping areas exist: San Gabriel River Trail, Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites, and Walnut Springs Primitive Campground. These sites are exclusively accessible by hiking, with no vehicle access - campers must park at trailheads and backpack in. Sawyer Park is approximately 5 miles from either Tejas Campground or Cedar Breaks Campground access points, while Walnut Springs can be reached by hiking 2 miles from Russell Park or 4 miles from Camp Tejas.
These backcountry sites offer true primitive camping with no facilities. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles, dig cat holes for waste, and carry or filter all water. Fire pits are permitted at established sites, particularly at Walnut Springs which features some picnic tables and lamp hangers in a large open area. Summer conditions can be challenging with significant sun exposure along 60% of the trail and limited water access despite proximity to Lake Georgetown. A review mentioned "In summer be aware that the combination of temperature and exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions and drink lots of water."
