Best Dispersed Camping near Lampasas, TX
Dispersed camping near Lampasas, Texas centers primarily around Lake Georgetown, with several primitive sites accessible via the 26.2-mile San Gabriel River Trail. The trail connects multiple free camping areas including Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites and Walnut Springs Primitive Campground, both requiring hike-in or walk-in access. Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake offers an additional dispersed option with drive-in access approximately 20-30 minutes from the nearest highway.
Access to most primitive sites requires hiking several miles on the San Gabriel River Trail. Sawyer Park is located about 5 miles from both Tejas Campground and Cedar Breaks Campground, while Walnut Springs can be reached by hiking 2 miles from Russell Park or biking 4 miles from Camp Tejas. These areas have no amenities beyond occasional picnic tables. Visitors must be prepared to dig cat holes for waste disposal and should carry at least 2 liters of water when hiking, as water access points along the trail can be inconvenient despite proximity to the lake. While Iron Bridge Park permits vehicle access, the roads can be rough, and visitors should be prepared for basic conditions.
The primitive campsites provide varied landscapes along the San Gabriel River Trail, passing through forests, grasslands, and small hills. During summer months, approximately 60% of the trail is exposed with limited shade, making hiking challenging in high temperatures. Weekends tend to see more traffic, including scout troops practicing backpacking skills, while weekdays offer greater solitude. At Iron Bridge Park, campers note the area has "plenty of space to park next to picnic tables and a parking lot. There is enough room for a big rig to come through, park, and pull around." Another visitor mentioned, "When you get to the paved parking lot, take the gate to the right and follow the road. It does get rough, so be prepared."
