Best Dispersed Camping near Missouri City, TX

Dispersed beach camping along the Gulf Coast southwest of Missouri City, Texas centers on several free-access beaches approximately 60 miles from the city. Follett's Island Beach, Brazoria Beach, Surfside Beach, and Gulf Side Oasis Beach provide primitive camping directly on the sand with no designated sites or reservations required. These coastal areas allow vehicle access directly onto the beach, with camping permitted along a 13-mile stretch of coastline. No permits are required at most locations, though access from Galveston may involve a $2 toll.

Beach conditions feature hard-packed sand that generally allows standard vehicles to navigate without four-wheel drive, though caution is needed in softer sections, particularly after rain. Most locations permit stays up to 14 days. Fire restrictions vary, with campfires typically allowed directly on the beach. The primitive nature of these sites means no drinking water, electric hookups, showers, or toilets are available. Cellular coverage is generally adequate but varies by provider. Campers must be completely self-sufficient and practice pack-in, pack-out principles as trash facilities are limited or nonexistent at many locations.

The coastal camping experience provides direct oceanfront access with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and beachcombing. Most areas remain relatively uncrowded during weekdays and off-season periods, though weekends can bring increased traffic and noise. Weather conditions significantly impact the experience, with summer bringing heat, humidity, and insects. The region experiences occasional vehicle traffic directly on the beaches, which can disrupt solitude. Visitors note the practical benefits of the firm sand. "Hard packed sand. Tide is safely far from the rig. Boondocking and waking up to the ocean sound is amazing," one camper commented. Another noted, "Free beach camping, No reservations needed! We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Missouri City, Texas (6)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Missouri City, TX

20 Photos of 6 Missouri City Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Missouri City, TX

20 Reviews of 6 Missouri City Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    South was better Beaching!

    Free beach camping, No reservations needed! 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. NO amenities, water, showers or hookups of any kind. Tmobile Cell service wasn't the best. Generator usage is allowed, but you barely could hear any due to all the space between campers & the WAVES SOUNDING SO AMAZING! Sunrise was beautiful! I'll go again!

    Pros: Amazing View, Lots of Space, No harassment, Ice Cream & Food Trucks pass throughout the day (if you have a sweet tooth), beach sand is compacted so you shouldn't get stuck, several beach access roads to enter from. Camp fires 🔥 are permitted & I found firewood laying around.

    Cons: North part of island has LOTS of debris, dead trees, branches, etc. 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). A goofball left all their trash scattered when they departed after their 3 hr beach adventure. Most everyone was mindful of leaving things clean. MORE trash cans could help.

  • Izzy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Brazoria Beach

    Beach boondocking bonanza!

    We have stayed here multiple times in our camper van. There were RV’s there, other camper vans, and tents! There are no hook ups, water, or trash available - pack it in, pack it out, please! Driving along the sand packed beach was easy. Plenty of space to spread out. Obviously it’s not clear water and white sand beach, but the view is still amazing and listening to the ocean waves is dreamy. There are a few convenience stores nearby, but it’s highly recommended to stop for groceries elsewhere. Cell signal is strong

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2022

    Brazoria Beach

    Beach camping

    Great place to park. Pulled in with 23 ft trailer and no problems. No amenities. Great spot to camp for up to 14 days. Few other campers but plenty spread out. Love this spot.

  • Gary N.
    Jan. 20, 2022

    Follett’s Island Beach

    A weekend getaway

    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. Not much in the area so pack your pantry in advance.

  • Lisa S.
    Mar. 20, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free Beach Camping

    Saturday, March 20,2021 Surfside Beach Access Road #4 Third day here. Temp 72°, light breeze, bright sun.

    A couple of other camping rigs in the distance early this morning along with two část fishermen with pickups at water’s edge. 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.

    Any vehicle can drive on the upper beach and there is light traffic during the day from beach day users. 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.

    You won’t find camping amenities here, just sun, sand, and surf rolling in with waves big enough for light surfing. Apparently, the fishing is pretty good, too.

    The Freeport beaches are popular, but clean (I picked up one small bag of trash from around my site. The County came through this morning with a clean up detail of four.) The beach is wide and there are very small Dunes on the up side to camp against. No chance of water encroaching on your campsite.

    Love it here.

  • Andrea P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free beach getaway

    You get what you pay for, but it’s still not bad. I would definitely come again. Flat packed sand makes it easy to drive any type of vehicle on the beach. There are no fees for driving on the beach, and no fees to camp over night.

    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. There is not much info on the county website either on the address just a “general idea” on how to get here. But if you are down for a little driving adventure to find it, it’s pretty chill.

    There are porta potties every couple hundred feet and trash cans every few feet. So there are plenty of trash cans but the beach is a bit dirty.

    Pets allowed, on leash. I brought my small dog Yoshi with me in this camping trip.

    I have Verizon and have 3 bars LTE.

    You can have small fires on the beach but only if there isn’t a burn ban, which right now I’m pretty there is so I didn’t bring anything with me.

    Nice surprise is that there is an ice cream truck that goes by every now and then. Some people may not like it, but I think it’s nice.

  • Cultivating Fire L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2022

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Quiet spot right on the water

    We camped out on the beach for three days at a few different locations and had no problems other than soft sand at one of the access roads (check before you drive into the sand) 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. Overall, great spot! Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4

  • Mitchell M.
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    100 Ft from Water

    Very nice strip of beach. Very easy to access regardless of car type you have, won’t get stuck in sand. This is a 13 mile Long Beach, so amenities may be far and few. Didn’t have any at the spot I stayed. There are multiple beach access points and you can drive right on and drive where you need to get privacy. There was no trash where I stayed and no debris. There is a sand and grass barrier between the beach and the main road. Water is about 100-150 feet from top of beach. Being November, the temperature was mild and there weren’t that many bugs nor people. Lots of gas stations and stores along the way. No need to pay or get permit besides a $2 toll when coming from the East through Galveston.

  • J
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Follett’s Island Beach

    Free Beach camping

    Parked on beach with nobody else in sight. Hard to beat free camping on the beach.


Guide to Missouri City

Dispersed camping near Missouri City, Texas includes several beach camping options along the Gulf Coast where vehicle access is permitted directly on the sand. Located within a 60-70 mile drive southwest of the city, these areas feature distinct seasonal patterns with high summer temperatures reaching into the 90s from June through September, while winter months maintain milder 60-70°F daytime temperatures. Winter camping requires preparation for occasional northerly cold fronts that can rapidly drop temperatures by 20-30 degrees.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Surfside Beach offers productive surf fishing directly from your campsite. "Beautiful night stargazing and relaxing with the ocean waves. The days bright sun and cool water gave us great joy," reports one Surfside Beach visitor.

Beach driving exploration: The 13-mile stretch allows campers to find secluded spots away from others. A camper at Follett's Island Beach noted, "You can drive right on and drive where you need to get privacy. There was no trash where I stayed and no debris."

Stargazing: Limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "The stars were excellent at night and the sea breeze made for amazing sleeping weather," according to one visitor who appreciated the natural conditions.

What campers like

Off-season solitude: Weekday and winter visits offer significantly less crowded conditions. One camper at Brazoria Beach shared, "Drove in on a Monday and love it already. They were combing the beach section I came in on and I picked the first spot that was at least 100 yds away from the only two others that were there."

Mobile vendors: Weekend food and ice cream trucks travel the beach. "Weekend also brings vendor trucks coming down the beach all the time. We were a bit irritated at 1st but then bought ice-cream," noted one Brazoria Beach visitor.

Generous stay limits: Most locations permit camping for extended periods. A camper mentioned, "Great spot to camp for up to 14 days. Few other campers but plenty spread out."

What you should know

Sand conditions vary by location: Some areas require more caution than others. "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. Overall, great spot! Just pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4," advises a visitor to Gulf Side Oasis Beach.

Limited facilities: No water sources exist at these locations. "We have stayed here multiple times in our camper van. There are no hook ups, water, or trash available - pack it in, pack it out, please!"

Vehicle traffic: Beach driving creates both convenience and potential disturbances. "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."

Tips for camping with families

Access point selection: Some beach access points offer better conditions than others. "North part of island has LOTS of debris, dead trees, branches, etc. No trash cans or porta pottys either. South was better Beaching!"

Sun protection necessities: The Texas sun requires multiple shade solutions. "Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between," notes one Follett's Island camper who visited with family.

Supply planning: Limited nearby services require advance preparation. "There are a few convenience stores nearby, but it's highly recommended to stop for groceries elsewhere."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle capabilities: Standard vehicles generally navigate the sand successfully. "Dodge 2wd 1500 pulling 10 ft trailer with no issues getting in and out. Very quite during the week," reports a Brazoria Beach Camp visitor.

Positioning strategy: Park strategically to maximize experience while ensuring safety. "Parked parallel to the dunes off the packed down sand! We're a good distance from all the houses to avoid any potential issues."

Overnight considerations: Beach camping provides unique sleeping conditions. "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Missouri City, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Missouri City, TX is Follett’s Island Beach with a 4.6-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Missouri City, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Missouri City, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.