Dispersed camping near Mineral Wells, Texas provides budget-friendly outdoor accommodations surrounded by oak-dotted hills and open prairie. The region receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually, creating seasonal ponds throughout the grasslands. Mineral Wells sits at the convergence of the Cross Timbers ecological region and the Rolling Plains, offering diverse terrain for primitive camping.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: LBJ National Grasslands contains numerous small ponds where visitors can fish. "About a half hour to town with all amenities," notes camper Tim O., making it easy to purchase supplies before heading out to LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife observation: The grasslands support diverse animal populations. "See deer, armadillos, hogs, and birds," reports a visitor to the LBJ Grasslands. At Bug Beach, one camper encountered "a herd of deer late afternoon" while enjoying the waterfront location.
Scenic drives: The roads through LBJ Grasslands offer scenic routes. "Taking the Trinity exit north off the loop around Decatur and using the navigation to the LBJ Grasslands to Park Rd 904 access was easy (& scenic)," reports Michele A. at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland Dispersed Camping.
What campers like
Waterfront access: At Hunter Park in Granbury, campers appreciate the direct lake access. "Free camping near the water. Can't beat that with a stick," writes Jesse P. The location offers "campsites right on the water and picnic tables and grill provided," according to Sean B.
Spacious sites: The LBJ National Grasslands provides well-separated camping spots. Ronald S. notes, "The sites are a good distance between them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more." This spacing creates privacy uncommon in many campgrounds.
Budget-friendly options: Possum Kingdom Lake offers cost-effective camping. "Tent camping areas in all 5 with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, many waterside," reports Darlene about Possum Kingdom Lake BRA, noting they "had the place to ourselves."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites require self-sufficiency. Mesha P. advises about LBJ Grasslands: "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."
Road conditions vary: Access roads range from paved to rough dirt tracks. At Dead Pump Jack, Joey B. cautions, "I wouldn't bring anything towed or longer than a B van since there are some major ruts."
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings grass burrs at Bug Beach. Jen M. warns: "If you can navigate around the dense razor sharp Grass burrs. Within minutes my tent, pets, shoes and tires were covered and difficult to remove."
Weekday solitude: For quieter experiences, avoid weekends. Ray & Terri F. reported: "We had the whole area to our selves on Sunday and Monday" when staying at the LBJ Grasslands.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Bug Beach on Possum Kingdom Lake offers designated swimming areas. Megan E. notes it has a "roped off swimming area" along with "a boat ramp" making it suitable for water activities with children.
Visibility considerations: Hunter Park offers open spaces but limited shade. One camper advises: "If you are car camping or tent camping, be wary about the fact that there will be little to no shade" but notes the "huge field" provides ample play space.
Navigation preparation: Download maps before arriving at BRA#1 Possum Kingdom Lake. Ronald S. recommends: "Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best." This prevents navigation issues when arriving with children.
Convenience stores: For family needs, Bug Beach has nearby services. Megan E. mentions, "A general store is located 5-10 minutes down the road for drinking water and food needs," convenient for families who forget essentials.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through sites: LBJ Grasslands offers easy parking for some RVs. Ray & Terri F. discovered "Several sites were even pull-throughs" and advise: "If you have a tow vehicle, drop it just inside the gate, leave your RV and go scope out a suitable campsite."
Location scouting: Michele A. recommends LBJ Grasslands for overnight stops: "Was transiting between central Texas toward Colorado in an off-grid TT and didn't want to venture far off 287 for a comfortable, quiet & safe place to stay for the night." Their location along Highway 287 makes it convenient for RV travelers.
Size restrictions: Cris B. cautions about BRA#1: "We thought this was ok for RV's, but there are only 1 or 2 places to park overnight," highlighting the limited spaces for larger vehicles.
