Top Free Dispersed Camping near Tomball, TX
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Tomball, TX (5)
1. Kelly's Pond Campground
2 Reviews•2 Photos•27 SavesThis campground area located at the end of Forest Service Road 271. It has eight campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts.
Tent camping is available here. Individuals must utilize the adjacent parking area and walk into the camping units. The area is very primitive with no potable water or electricity. Kelly's Pond is a trailhead for the Sam Houston Multi-Use motorized trail.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. Sand Branch - Sam Houston National Forest
1 Review•7 SavesDue to lower elevtation, during periods of heavy rain, please contact the district office for current status of trails and campgrounds. (936)-344-6205.
3. Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
3 Reviews•2 Photos•39 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Four Notch Hunter Camp
1 Review•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Tomball
5 Reviews of 5 Tomball Campgrounds
- J
Jon D.
Guide
Kelly's Pond Campground
A Nice Slice Of Solitude
Kelly's Pond was a great one-nighter for me. It was very quiet, and I had no issues.
It did appear that some individuals have/had made this a more permanent home, I had been here previously to do some "scouting" if you will, and noticed some of the same campers. They weren't bothering anyone, but if that's something that makes you uncomfortable, you might spring the pocket change for Cagle down the road.
- BBenzo F.
ScoutKelly's Pond Campground
Free camping
Free camping and apart from people. only 1 bar of service. definitely recommend.
Jasmine P.
Traveler
Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
Not a campsite
We showed up in the middle of night. There was a gate that was locked. It is a really pretty place if you can find a campsite somewhere else
- DDan R.Scout
Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
LSHT-Sections 1 & 2
Spent a few days in late July on the trail. Went 22 miles then turned back to Stubblefield Campground to stop. Too hot for an old guy, but it was a very enjoyable, well maintained, and well marked journey. We’ll be back.
- LLarry D.Guide
Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
A long unforgiving slog through mud.
My son and I went in mid-November, so your experience will vary depending on time of year.
The LSHT is the longest hiking trail in the state. It is broken up into sections. We started at Section 1, which is the easternmost portion, hiking east-west. Each section has a trailhead with a parking lot. We hiked all of Section 1 and half of Section 2. Each of the 2 sections was about 8 miles long. The length of the LSHT is about 130 miles.
Zero amenities. No restrooms. No electricity. No cell coverage. Nada. The LSHT is in the Sam Houston National Forest, about an hour north of Houston. So it’s not a "campground," per se, but you can camp anywhere that’s feasible. We just didn’t find very many feasible places to camp. There is a lot of dense undergrowth along the trail portion we hiked. And mud. Lots and lots of mud. It had been raining a lot in the preceding weeks. I’d call the ranger office and ask about trail conditions and what the weather's been like if I were you. I hope you have a good pair of waterproof boots.
We found a decent spot about 4 miles in, set up our hammocks, and had a good night's rest. The first day's hike was great - plenty of sunshine, cool but not cold, few mosquitoes. It got cold within a couple hours after sunset. I’m glad I brought my underquilt, sleeping bag, and blanket. I’m also glad I brought an extra pair of warm socks, flannel pajama bottoms, and a sock cap. My hiking clothes were soaked with sweat, so changing out of them was essential for a good night's sleep. Well, I don’t actually sleep on these trips. I doze off and on. Anyway, there were no big surprises during the night. The sound of insects. Leaves and branches falling. Coyotes howling in the distance. But nothing scary or annoying. It was very pleasant.
The original plan was to hike both sections, so we parked my son's pickup at Trailhead 6 and drove back to Trailhead 1 to park my Jeep and start the hike. The plan was solid as long as we started early in the day and could average 2 miles an hour. But we wound up starting out late in the day and did I mention the mud? There was a lot of mud. And obstacles to cross. And creeks to cross. And mud. And more mud. Lots and lots of mud. So we were only able to do 4 miles before we had to find a place to camp. Otherwise, we'd be hiking in the dark.
So the morning of day 2, we packed our gear and trudged on as quickly as we could. We had about 12 miles to cover. It seemed doable at the time. But the weather changed. It got considerably cooler and overcast and rainy. It wasn’t constant, and it was never a downpour. But it was 50s and damp. Drizzly. We trudged on for about another 8 miles and decided to leave the trail at Trailhead 4 and hit the pavement, for fear that we'd again run out of daylight somewhere between Trailheads 4 and 6.
My advice? Do your homework. Read up in the LSHT. Peruse the website http://lonestartrail.org and buy the book. Prepare for a long slog through mud. I’m glad I took a hammock because there weren’t many places suitable for tent camping. Take plenty of water and a water purifier because there is no potable water available on the sections we hiked. Two people in 2 separate vehicles is a must unless you’re a thru-hiker or just want to hike a bit and hike back to your car. It’s mostly flat with no steep ups and downs, rock climbing, or anything like that. But there were quite a few creek crossings that required going down into a gully and up the other side. I did mention the mud, right?
Guide to Tomball
Camping near Tomball, Texas, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.
What to do:
- Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Huntsville State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "I got the chance to hike the Chinquapin trail. It was a beautiful hike." Another reviewer said, "Biking, hiking, fishing or just relaxing this park has all."
- Fishing: At Brazos Bend State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing. A visitor shared, "Saw about 20 alligators on Elm Lake," highlighting the unique wildlife you might encounter.
- Swimming: Families can enjoy the swimming area at Lake Livingston State Park Campground. One review noted, "Amazing swimming area and lots of beautiful trails to hike."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Stephen Austin State Park Campground said, "The nicest and warmest bath house so far."
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Cagle Recreation Area mentioned, "Spacious sights fit our big rig," making it a good choice for larger RVs.
- Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe said, "Awesome friendly gate house staff."
What you should know:
- Reservations: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper at Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area noted, "These are 1st come 1st served."
- Wildlife: Be aware of the local wildlife. A visitor at Brazos Bend State Park Campground cautioned, "Just watch out for the gators."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Double Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "Need bathroom repairs, boardwalk repairs, trail repairs."
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas and playgrounds. At Wolf Creek Park, one family said, "This resort is perfect! With a great pool, hot tub, playground, tennis courts, basketball courts."
- Spacious Sites: Choose campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Lake Livingston State Park Campground noted, "All the RV pads are nice concrete pads, with ample space between sites."
- Plan for Nature: Bring outdoor games and activities. A reviewer at Cagle Recreation Area mentioned, "Great trails, bank fishing and wildlife observation."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Stephen Austin State Park Campground mentioned, "The utilities are placed centered on the site, which is nice."
- Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Cagle Recreation Area advised, "Bring leveling blocks or boards with you in case you need them."
- Internet Access: If you need internet, check your service provider. A reviewer at Lake Livingston State Park Campground noted, "Visible, Verizon 5G, T-Mobile 5G. All great down but low upload speeds."
Camping near Tomball, Texas, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Tomball, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tomball, TX is Kelly's Pond Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Tomball, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Tomball, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.