Dispersed camping near South Bend, Texas centers around Possum Kingdom Lake, a 17,000-acre reservoir with limestone cliffs and clear blue water. The Brazos River Authority maintains several free primitive camping areas along the shoreline where campers can experience waterfront access without designated campsites. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping opportunities and boat launch accessibility.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The lake supports largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, and catfish populations. Multiple access points from the public use areas allow shore fishing or boat launch access. According to a camper at Bug Beach BRA #5, "Beautiful, off the beaten track, free, lots of trails and pull off areas to overnight."
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide optimal viewing times for the abundant deer population. "We had the place to ourselves, with the exception of a herd of deer late afternoon," notes a visitor at Possum Kingdom Lake BRA. Bring binoculars for spotting waterfowl and raptors that frequent the lake area.
Lake swimming: Multiple areas have shoreline access for swimming during warmer months. Some locations feature roped-off swimming areas providing safer conditions for less experienced swimmers. "Bug Beach has tent camping, a boat ramp and roped of swimming area," mentions one camper.
What campers like
Quiet off-season camping: Fall and winter visitors report significantly lower crowds. "Me & one other tent camper had entire area (camp & beach) ourselves Nov 3," reports a Bug Beach visitor. Weekday visits during shoulder seasons offer the most solitude.
Clean facilities: The bathroom facilities across the public use areas receive positive reviews for maintenance. "All 5 have bathroom facilities with running water and flush toilets... Beautiful scenery and exceptionally clean campground facilities," notes a visitor to Possum Kingdom Lake.
Waterside camping options: Many sites allow tent setup with direct views of the water. "Tent camping areas in all 5 with shelters, grill, and picnic tables, many waterside," explains a camper. Some campsites feature shade trees providing relief during summer months.
What you should know
Grass burrs present challenges: Sharp grass burrs pose problems for equipment and comfort. "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," warns a camper at Bug Beach.
Overnight restrictions: Understand which areas permit overnight parking versus day-use only. At BRA#1 Possum Kingdom Lake, "There are only 1 or 2 places to park overnight, but you can tent on the grass in many places. There are other free areas on the lake that you can park RV's for free."
Limited drinking water: No potable water exists at most sites. "A general store is located 5-10 minutes down the road for drinking water and food needs," explains a Bug Beach visitor. Bring adequate water supplies for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Summer crowding: Popularity increases during warm months. "During the summer months this area gets busy but there is plenty of room to pitch a tent," notes one camper. Arrive early on summer weekends to secure preferred spots.
Tips for camping with families
Shelter availability: Look for sites with existing shade structures for sun protection. Several areas include picnic shelters near tent camping areas providing refuge during midday heat or unexpected rain.
Swimming considerations: Bug Beach offers a designated swimming area with rope boundaries increasing safety for children. Supervise children closely as shorelines can drop off suddenly in some locations.
Traffic awareness: Some camping areas experience vehicle traffic that may impact safety and noise levels. "Trying to enjoy camping kinda hard when theres constantly traffic," mentions a Bug Beach visitor. Consider camping farther from main access roads if traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection varies by area: Different BRA areas offer varying levels of RV accommodation. "Public Area 4 and 6 have RV pads... Public Area 5 has grass pull thru RV parking," explains a visitor at Possum Kingdom Lake.
Limited hookups available: No electric, water or sewer connections exist at these dispersed sites. Generator policies vary by location. Self-contained units work best for these primitive camping situations.
Level parking considerations: Some RV sites are more level than others. "We thought this was ok for RV's, but there are only 1 or 2 places to park overnight," notes a camper at BRA#1 Possum Kingdom Lake. Scout potential sites before committing to a location.
