Best Dispersed Camping near The Hills, TX
Dispersed camping near The Hills, Texas centers around the San Gabriel River Trail area, which encircles Lake Georgetown with three main primitive camping locations: Sawyer Park Primitive Campsites, Walnut Springs Primitive Campground, and various spots along the San Gabriel River Trail itself. These free camping areas require no permits but follow strict primitive camping regulations with no facilities or amenities. All sites permit campfires and allow pets, though no alcohol is permitted on the grounds. Access requires hiking in, as these backcountry sites cannot be reached by vehicle.
The primitive campsites along the San Gabriel River Trail are accessible only by hiking or boating, with most requiring a 2-5 mile trek from trailheads. Sawyer Park sites are approximately 5 miles from both Tejas Campground and Cedar Breaks Campground access points, while Walnut Springs can be accessed via a 2-mile hike from Russell Park or a 4-mile hike from Camp Tejas. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at any locations, making proper Leave No Trace principles essential. Campers must be prepared to dig cat holes for waste and carry in all necessary water or filter from the lake, which requires additional treatment.
The 26.2-mile San Gabriel River Trail provides various camping opportunities in forests, grasslands, and near the lake, with both designated tent pads and open areas suitable for setting up camp. Weather conditions significantly impact the experience, particularly during summer when high temperatures and limited shade can make hiking uncomfortable. The trail's growing popularity means weekend visitors may encounter others, particularly scout groups practicing backpacking, while weekdays offer more solitude. According to one visitor, "This is possibly the easiest campground on the Good Water Trail to get to, which may result in there being more people at this site than others." Another camper notes 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."
