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Best Dispersed Camping near Salado, TX

6 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Salado, Texas centers around several primitive sites located near Lake Georgetown and Belton Lake. The San Gabriel River Trail area features free primitive camping along its 26.2-mile trail circling Lake Georgetown, with designated zones where tent or hammock setup is permitted. Walnut Springs Primitive Campground and Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites provide additional options for backcountry camping. Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake, while more accessible by vehicle, still maintains a primitive character with minimal facilities. These areas operate without reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Access to most sites requires hiking or boating, with many campsites located miles from trailheads. The San Gabriel River Trail passes through varied terrain including forests and grasslands, requiring substantial hiking to reach campsites. Sawyer Park is approximately 5 miles from the nearest trailheads at Tejas Campground and Cedar Breaks Campground. Iron Bridge Park features a gravel parking area with rougher roads beyond the main lot. No drinking water is available at any location, and campers must practice Leave No Trace principles, including digging cat holes as proper restroom facilities are limited or non-existent. Fire restrictions vary by location and season.

The primitive nature of these camping areas attracts hikers, backpackers, and those seeking an authentic outdoor experience. Walnut Springs offers tent camping with picnic tables and fire pits, situated near both wooded areas and waterfront locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout these areas. The San Gabriel River Trail experiences varying traffic, with weekends often busier as scout troops practice backpacking skills. Summer conditions can be challenging due to heat and sun exposure. A review noted that "despite being near a popular-ish waterway it did not smell like dead fish," while another mentioned that Iron Bridge Park is "far enough out of the way that the stars were beautiful."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Salado, Texas (4)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Salado, TX

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Salado, TX

6 Reviews of 4 Salado Campgrounds

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2019

    San Gabriel River Trail

    San Gabriel River Trail + Lake

    This is a review of the primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. 

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park attendants that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries. 

    This is prmitive (dispersed) camping. There are no facilities or amenities are these camp areas. Pack in some water and bring a water filter to obtain more. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced. 

    There are a few areas with tent pads or clear areas where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock.  I'd say that 40% of the trail has some tree coverage, but 60% is exposed. 

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown and the water, it is not always convenient to access the water. So be sure to carry plenty of water - at least 2 liters.

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person.

    Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.

  • Troy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2019

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    This is a review of the Sawyer Park primitive (dispersed) campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail. There are no facilities or amenities are this campsite. Leave No Trace principals should be practiced.

    Upon entering one of the access points, park your car for free near the trailhead. It is good to advise one of the park administers that you will be hiking or place a note inside your car that you are hiking. 

    The Sawyer Park site is only accessible by hiking or by a boat. It is about 5 miles from the Tejas Campground and 5 miles from Cedar Breaks Campground. This is primitive (dispersed) camping. There are a few areas with clear land or tent pads where you may camp. But there are also zones where you may simply camp wherever you can setup a tent or hammock. There is an old latrine at this site, but it is in poor shape and no-one really uses it. Be prepared to dig a cat hole. 

    Many people stay at this site while hiking the San Gabriel River Trail. The trail circles Lake Georgetown and is 26.2 miles. It passes through forests, grasslands, over some small hills and across a few tributaries.

    In the summer be aware that the combination of the temperature and the exposure can make this trail uncomfortable to hike. Take precautions, drink lots of water and stay in the shade all that you can. While you may be hiking within site of Lake Georgetown, it is not always convenient to access the water. So carry plenty of water while hiking - at least 2 liters. 

    The trail is getting more and more popular with backpackers, so it is likely that you may see others on the trail. On weekends you may encounter scout troops practicing backpacking. During the weekdays you may not see a single person. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but it is nice to keep them on lease.

  • Guillermo L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Walnut Springs Primitive Campground

    Tent camping recommended.

    I'm very last minute camping trip on a Sunday evening to Monday morning... There was a backpacking group, a group of people who canoed in, and ourselves. Large open area; for fire pits for lamp hangers for picnic tables trees closer the trail and grass sea areas closer to the water. Can be biked in from camp Tejas four miles away or can hiking from Russell Park 2 mi away.

    No amenities; be prepared to dig cat hole, if drinking lake water be prepared to filter and sterilize. This is possibly the easiest campgrounds on the good water trail to get to which may result in there being more people at this site than others. This is the "first come, first serve" campground.

    Enjoyed our stay during a thunderstorm under the big trees.

  • Alexandra
    Jan. 13, 2021

    Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites

    Camped out of the campsite near the lake

    We ended up not following our AllTrails after a fork in the road heading towards the campsite, and were pretty pooped so decided to camp there off Sawyer Campsite Rd. People had clearly used the shore as a campsite before as there was a makeshift fire pit and some cleared areas for tents. water and views were beautiful, and it was a nice place to rest after the 6 miles in. Rain started pretty heavily (and being close to the water probably didn’t help with humidity inside the tent) and our rain fly was unwilling to cooperate so we got a bit wet. The home back in the rain was fine. A couple slippery spots but very doable. Overall great time here even though we weren’t at the official campsite.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2024

    Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake

    Cool!

    This place is kind of out of the way, around 20/30 mins of driving off of the nearest highway/interstate. The area consists of a medium sized gravel parking lot and grassy areas with covered cement picnic tables as well as a boat ramp at the end. There are trash cans and two bathrooms (holes in the ground with four walls). Be prepared for no toilet paper lol! There are no real established sites, outside of plenty of space to park next to picnic tables and a parking lot. There is enough room to get a big rig to come through, park, and pull around. The gravel/ground is tightly packed with plenty of flat areas for tenting as well. For being so far back, the park is pretty busy. There are people that live out here and people that come out here for 12-6 am hunting/fishing/driving. We weren’t bothered at all, despite being in the way. The park is open 24/7 and doesn’t require a permit or pass of any kind. It’s far enough out of the way that the stars were beautiful, and despite being near a popular-ish waterway it did not smell like dead fish.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake

    Nature everywhere

    When you get to the paved parking lot, take the gate yo the right and follow the road. It does get rough, so be prepared.

Guide to Salado

Dispersed camping near Salado, Texas, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots are perfect for adventurers seeking solitude and scenic views.

Scenic Hiking Trails for Dispersed Campers

  • The San Gabriel River Trail provides a stunning 26.2-mile loop around Lake Georgetown, featuring diverse terrains from forests to grasslands, ideal for hiking enthusiasts.

Relaxing by the Water While Free Camping Near Salado

Unique Camping Experiences for Nature Lovers

  • The Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites allow you to set up camp near the San Gabriel River, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the water and the surrounding wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Salado, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Salado, TX is Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Salado, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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