The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands offers free dispersed camping on public land approximately 30-45 minutes from Lewisville, Texas. This 20,250-acre managed landscape features rolling terrain with elevation changes between 700-1,000 feet, creating distinct ecosystems throughout the grasslands. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer temperatures often exceeding 95°F and winter occasionally bringing freezing temperatures and frost.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Visitors to LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping can observe diverse wildlife including deer, armadillos, wild hogs and various bird species. One camper noted, "See deer, armadillos, hogs, and birds" throughout the grasslands area.
Hiking trails: The grasslands feature several hiking paths through varied terrain, making it suitable for different skill levels. As one visitor at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Great hiking. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more. Download maps before getting here."
Fishing access: Small ponds throughout the grasslands provide fishing opportunities. Campers report, "Only a mile drive to a pond for water for camp showers and putting out fires," which doubles as a fishing spot for those with proper Texas fishing licenses.
What campers like
Secluded atmosphere: The widely spaced camping areas provide considerable privacy. A recent visitor commented, "Remote dispersed. Great camping for north central Texas. The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them."
Stargazing conditions: The dark skies away from city lights make this area excellent for astronomy. One camper at Dead Pump Jack advised, "Not too far off the beaten path but just far enough," which creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing.
Easy accessibility: Despite the remote feel, most sites remain accessible for standard vehicles. "Roads to campsite are well maintained gravel, fire rings, and good views," reported one camper, making this a convenient option for free camping near Lewisville.
What you should know
No facilities available: These grasslands have no restrooms, potable water, or trash services. A camper explained, "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."
Pack-in, pack-out required: Visitors must bring all supplies and remove all waste. One frustrated camper noted, "Great area that was remote, but easy to get to with few others around. Found a site with beautiful views, but previous visitors left behind debris - if you use, please practice pack in/out principals!"
Cell service varies: While service exists throughout much of the grasslands, signal strength fluctuates by location and carrier. According to visitor reports, "AT&T coverage was fairly good here, generally varying between 1-3 Bars of LTE service, with speeds up to 4.5 MB/s."
Tips for camping with families
Download maps beforehand: The area has limited signage and cell reception can be spotty. One family recommended, "Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best. Downloadable hiking maps availability on other apps."
Scout sites during daylight: Finding suitable camping spots is easier during daylight hours. A visitor suggested, "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."
Bring activities: There are no developed recreational facilities, so pack games and activities. Families report enjoying wildlife watching as one camper described, "Awesome trip with the pup! Most areas have rock campfires setups that people have made. Very remote so bring what you need."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Large rigs face challenges on some forest roads. An RVer cautioned, "I wouldn't bring anything towed or longer than a B van since there are some major ruts."
Water planning: No water hookups or potable water sources exist on site. One RVer shared, "There is also a water dispensary in Decatur which is nice and convenient!"
Parking considerations: Finding level spots requires advance planning. According to an experienced RV camper, "We parked our 36' Class A on the side of FR 904, just inside the gate, unhooked our Cherokee and went to scope out the area. There were a number of established and very widely spaced campsites along the FR, each with a fire pit."
