The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Texas City, TX

43 Reviews

Bolivar Flats offers free dispersed beach camping on the peninsula east of Texas City, Texas. The sand is firm enough for most vehicles, with campers able to set up directly on the beach with Gulf of Mexico views. Access is via Rettilon Road, with camping allowed to the left of the road without a permit. Areas to the right require a $10 annual beach parking sticker, available at local stores or by mail.

Several other free beach camping options exist along the Gulf Coast near Texas City. Follett's Island Beach provides primitive camping with hard-packed sand suitable for larger vehicles. Reviews note that "the sand is very compacted and easily drivable. We saw all types of vehicles from golf carts to massive class A rigs." High Island Beach and Surfside Beach also permit beach camping, though conditions vary seasonally. Most beaches have trash collection but minimal other amenities. During peak periods like Memorial Day weekend, expect more crowds and occasional beach patrols. Mosquitoes and biting flies can be problematic, particularly for pets.

Map showing campgrounds near Texas City, TexasExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Texas City, Texas (9)

    1. Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping

    19 Reviews
    Port Bolivar, TX
    11 miles

    "Half mile stretch at end of access road to left is nice beach with dunes and free dispersed camping. Other sections require permit (on line or in person)."

    "Also, there is a gated community being built behind the section of beach near Retilion Rd. I spoke with two city officials with Nuisance Abatement. There is talk of instituting a 2 week limit."

    2. Virtual Assistant

    Be the first to review!
    Texas City, TX
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 521-2985

    3. Follett’s Island Beach

    12 Reviews
    Freeport, TX
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 322-0791

    "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!"

    "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."

    4. Rollover Pass

    1 Review
    Port Bolivar, TX
    24 miles
    Website

    5. High Island Beach

    3 Reviews
    Anahuac, TX
    32 miles

    "It is the true meaning of dispersed camping, so zero established sites."

    6. Brazoria Beach

    5 Reviews
    Freeport, TX
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (979) 864-1541

    "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!"

    "No amenities. Great spot to camp for up to 14 days. Few other campers but plenty spread out. Love this spot."

    7. Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed

    1 Review
    Freeport, TX
    33 miles

    "We’re a good distance from all the houses to avoid any potential issues. No permits required and the signs upon entering the beach make no mention."

    8. Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Freeport, TX
    36 miles

    "You can drive right on the beach! Sunsets are amazing but watch out for the bugs at night!"

    9. Brazoria Beach Camp from Seagull Ave

    Be the first to review!
    Freeport, TX
    38 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Texas City Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Texas City, TX

46 Photos of 9 Texas City Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Texas City, TX

43 Reviews of 9 Texas 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.

  • J
    Jan. 29, 2021

    Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping

    Easy access flat beach camping

    Half mile stretch at end of access road to left is nice beach with dunes and free dispersed camping. Other sections require permit (on line or in person). Watch tides and weather, but really easy safe beach with big views. There are of course oil tankers visible and so not a pristine natural area. Adjacent to a preserve. Excellent.

  • 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.

Guide to Texas City

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Texas City, Texas, where you can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning beaches and a variety of natural settings, these spots offer a unique experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Gorgeous Sunrises at Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping

  • This location is known for its breathtaking sunrises, making it a perfect spot for early risers and photographers.
  • Visitors have noted the spaciousness of the area, allowing campers to spread out and enjoy some privacy while still being close to the beach.
  • Be prepared for a more rustic experience, as amenities like drinking water and electric hookups are not available.

Fishing Opportunities at Rollover Pass

  • Rollover Pass is a favorite among locals for fishing, providing ample space for both camping and angling enthusiasts.
  • The area features a large sand parking lot, making it easy to set up camp and enjoy a weekend by the water.
  • While there are no formal camping signs, it has been an accepted practice for years, allowing for a laid-back atmosphere.

Beachfront Bliss at Follett’s Island Beach

  • This spot offers the unique experience of driving right onto the beach, making it accessible for various vehicle types.
  • Campers have praised the compact sand, which makes it easy to navigate and set up camp without getting stuck.
  • With no amenities available, it's essential to come prepared with supplies, but the stunning views and peaceful environment make it worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Texas City, TX is Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping with a 4.7-star rating from 19 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Texas City, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring