Jim B.
Traveler
TravelerGalveston, state park, TX
Excellent Stay by the Water
We really enjoyed our time here. It was quiet, safe and breezy. The waves made for awesome background sound.
Tent Camping near Thompsons, TX
Search destinations
Add dates
Tent campsites in the Thompsons, Texas region offer a mix of established grounds and dispersed beach camping opportunities within driving distance. Tent campers can find options like Follett's Island Beach and Surfside Beach for primitive coastal experiences, while Hollywood Bottom Park provides free tent camping along the Colorado River approximately 25 miles southwest of Thompsons. These areas provide varying levels of facilities depending on whether they are established campgrounds or dispersed camping areas.
Most primitive tent sites near Thompsons require campers to be self-sufficient with minimal amenities available. Follett's Island Beach features hard-packed sand accessible to most vehicles without requiring 4-wheel drive. Sites typically have no designated boundaries, allowing campers to select their preferred spot on the beach. Fires are permitted on beach camping areas when no burn bans are in effect. According to one visitor, "You can have small fires on the beach but only if there isn't a burn ban." Most dispersed areas lack facilities such as potable water, showers, or permanent restrooms, though some beach locations have portable toilets placed periodically along the shore. Trash receptacles are available at some beach locations, but campers should plan to pack out their waste.
Beach tent camping areas provide unique experiences with direct water access and unobstructed views. The compact sand at Follett's Island makes setting up tents relatively straightforward compared to softer beach environments. One camper shared, "Free beach camping, no reservations needed. We went on a weekend in July and had no problem finding space." Privacy levels vary based on seasonal visitation patterns, with weekdays generally offering more seclusion than weekends. Insect activity can be significant, particularly at dusk and dawn, so proper repellent is essential for tent campers. Weather conditions can change rapidly along coastal areas, making proper tent anchoring important. Hollywood Bottom Park offers a different environment with riverside tent camping that attracts paddlers using the Colorado River access point.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Thompsons (13)
1. Houston West RV Park
"Easy drive to see the Johnson Space Center."
"Nice mini lake and walking trail"
2. Follett’s Island Beach
"As others have suggested, the sand is packed more like dirt on this beach, which made it very comfortable to drive in. Our truck and trailer were safe throughout the week."
"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."
3. ABA Travel Park
4. Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping
"You can drive right on the beach! Sunsets are amazing but watch out for the bugs at night!"
5. Hollywood Bottom Park
6. Tomball RV Park
7. Galveston, state park, TX
"Offers restrooms, shower, electricity, dump stations. You can camp on the beach side or on the inlet side."
8. Bryan Beach
"It's super close to town and gives you a bit of reprieve from the city. Be aware - junk washes up on shore frequent. It can also get a bit crowded especially on the weekends."
9. Bayou Campground
10. **Not available**
from $25 - $40 / night
Drive Time
- 38 min from Houston, TX
- 1 hr 34 min from Victoria, TX
- 1 hr 34 min from College Station, TX
- 1 hr 50 min from Beaumont, TX
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Thompsons, TX
6 Photos of 13 Thompsons Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Thompsons, TX
230 Reviews of 13 Thompsons Campgrounds
Jean D.
ScoutBayou Campground
Okay not great
In disrepair, bathroom showers not clean or taken care of it's on a bayou very pretty
- RRachel V.Traveler
Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed
Beautiful Oceanside Camping
Free ocean beach camping, the water is clean and the sand is soft, but packed down enough to drive on. I have my 24ft camper trailer here no issues. Very private and peaceful. We are beside a road but there are sand dunes that block the noise. Stores are about a 15min drive away.
Gerardo M.ScoutHouston Central RV Park
Really safe and affordable!
The RV camp is safe, accommodating, and very affordable.
Chris C.TravelerGalveston, state park, TX
Camping
Love this campground. Well kept and clean! Right in the Gulf. Can hear the ocean from campsite.
TheaphScoutBrickhouse RV Resort
Park manager is not friendly to guests
I do not recommend staying here. I was bothered by park manager repeatedly. When I stayed here manager was nosy. He only cares about his reputation and how his park looks, he does not like kids and sent out messages to the people staying here recommending them to call Child Protective services if they see any kids playing outside. Bathrooms were frequently dirty, especially on Saturday and Sunday. I am never staying here again. I stayed with my wife and four children. This park is NOT family friendly. We would get mass text messages detailing various different authorities to call to complain about things as simple as children playing outside. The policing by the manager and Clear Lake Shores/Kemah was very excessive. Police would stop at people's homes at midnight to ask for directions to calls where guests should not be bothered by police absent involvement in the call. I saw this happen multiple times. A friend of mine who used to stay out in the park alleged she was assaulted and reported it and retaliation/harassment twice. The manager did not want to assist her by making the man leave or provide video evidence to have the man prosecuted for making it appear he was going to ram her ebike coming up the driveway. There is a convicted sex offender in the park. There were recently criminals staying in the cabins on and off as they do not do background checks. I do not reside in the park anymore. Lee is only concerned about maintaining a resort-style image and his own reputation and ignored significant guest safety concerns, allowing people to be touched against their will and harassed with slurs and name calling. Someone should not be called a B or F by another guest and then that harassment is ignored by management. Management should be addressing those situations. They need to address the steel rebar and unsafe wood hand railing on the docks before some gets seriously injured by the metal rods sticking out of the shore line. A child is going to fall off that pier and there will be a lawsuit to follow if that happens. One guests was even firing a projectile weapon out of his cabin door. The person later disappeared. I observed it when I was taking trash out. The park is not lgbtq friendly. If you take concerns about someone calling you by homophobic slurs to the park manager, the park manager will not get involved or assist you in preventing further anti-gay or lesbian insults being spoken against you by other ill spirited guests. I saw this happen to someone. It was mostly Republicans and rich people passing through. Edit: after I left the manager asked another guest that is staying there where I live. The manager appears to be trying to get at me personally since I have left 2 reviews for his park staying my experience.
David B.
GuideRayford Crossing RV Resort
Professional park for work/urban customers
This is a 5 star property across the board. The management company owns several nationwide and it's clear they know what they are doing.
The park is near the border of The Woodlands and Spring. It's much quieter than either town yet close to both with groceries, restaurants, and all that jazz just minutes away.
I'm using this park as I transition to fulltime RV life, moving out of my home in The Woodlands. Many people here work in town or are here seasonally, such as petroleum industry folks.
The park is like a mini RV show with several large and high end units and many folks with vehicles in addition to their RVs. If you're looking for urban but woodsy in a clean and safe environment, look no further!
- EElizabeth D.Traveler
Jus Passn Thru RV Park
Worst place ever
I have been staying here about 2 years and the man is a slumlord his name is Vijay Patel he failed to mention my spot where he put me means he’s in building code violation so he had to have an inspection done and has tried to run me off he refused to give rent money back he cut the power cord to my trailer. He is continuing to damage my property. Lawsuit is already being filed. DO NOT COME HERE
- AAdrian C.Scout
Houston Leisure RV Resort
Great experience
From management to residents and pets, it was an overall great stay. Great conversations, and very welcoming. They were helpful when help was needed even gave advise on other RV locations and travel spots. I recommend this location and will be back in due time. Safe travels everyone!
Guide to Thompsons
Tent camping near Thompsons, Texas offers opportunities ranging from riverside sites to Gulf Coast beaches within driving distance. The region features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping excursions. Hard-packed sand at beach locations allows standard vehicles to access camping areas without specialized equipment in most conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Bryan Beach: This established beach campground provides direct access to both surf fishing and nearby jetty fishing opportunities. "I pop down here several times a year. It's super close to town and gives you a bit of reprieve from the city," notes one visitor to Bryan Beach.
Stargazing on coastal beaches: Beach camping areas provide excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping shares, "Beautiful night stargazing and relaxing with the ocean waves. The days bright sun and cool water gave us great joy."
River paddling: Use Hollywood Bottom Park as a convenient access point and camping area for Colorado River paddling trips. According to a visitor, "Free camping geared towards river use (raft/kayak/canoe). Great rest stop while on the Colorado River. The next access site is 18 miles downstream."
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Many primitive camping locations in the area provide no-cost or low-cost alternatives. At Follett's Island Beach, campers appreciate that "Free beach camping, No reservations needed! We went on a weekend late July 2021, NO PROBLEM finding space."
Accessibility without specialized vehicles: The compacted sand at beach camping areas makes access possible for standard vehicles. One Follett's Island camper noted, "Sand is not soft so no 4x4 required. You have to be self sustained since there is nothing here...just you and the gulf."
Private camping spaces: The expansive beach areas allow for significant distance between camping setups. A visitor mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Weather planning is essential: The coastal region experiences sudden weather changes that can impact camping conditions. At Tomball RV Park, more inland and protected, campers find "very beautiful spacious and clean" conditions that can provide alternatives during coastal weather events.
Insects require preparation: Mosquitoes present significant challenges, particularly at dusk. One Bryan Beach camper warns, "The biggest problem however, was the mosquitoes! At dusk we had to retreat to our tents immediately or be eaten alive. So beware!"
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas require complete self-sufficiency. A Follett's Island visitor explains, "You won't find camping amenities here, just sun, sand, and surf rolling in with waves big enough for light surfing."
Tips for camping with families
Bring shade structures: The coastal camping areas lack natural shade. "Recommend some type of canopy or awning, Texas Sun is HOT! Plan ahead, stores are few and far between," advises a camper at Hollywood Bottom Park.
Check tide schedules: Water levels can impact camping areas, particularly during high tide or storm events. A camper notes, "We only had water touch our tires one night" but recommends monitoring conditions, especially with children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Thompsons, TX?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Thompsons, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Thompsons, TX is Houston West RV Park with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Thompsons, TX?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Thompsons, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Thompsons, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring