Top Free Dispersed Camping near Willis, TX

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Willis, TX (5)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Willis

5 Reviews of 5 Willis Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kelly's Pond Campground
    Feb. 13, 2024

    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.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Aug. 10, 2022

    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.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Lone Star Hiking Trail Dispersed
    Nov. 20, 2018

    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 Willis

Camping near Willis, 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, "Great trails for all exercise levels. Lots of places to stop and rest."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Livingston State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "The spots are a good distance from each other and have lots of trees," making it a peaceful fishing experience.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the swimming area at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe. One family said, "This resort is perfect! With a great pool, hot tub, playground, and a lake with a beach, this is a great place for a family vacation."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Stephen Austin State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The nicest and warmest bathhouse so far. The park is awesome."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Cagle Recreation Area. A visitor mentioned, "Spacious sites fit our big rig. Full hookups, beautiful scenery."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff at Wolf Creek Park. One camper said, "Friendly neighbors and staff. Store on site."

What you should know:

  • No Reservations at Some Parks: Many campgrounds, like Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper shared, "These are first come first served... Very nice sites & bathhouse."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Buck Acres, are still under construction and may lack certain amenities. A visitor noted, "Just a site to camp. Nothing fancy."
  • Noise Levels: If you're sensitive to noise, be aware that some campgrounds near dirt bike tracks, like Buck Acres, can get a bit loud during the day. One camper mentioned, "Expect some revving excitement during the day."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort Waller. A family shared, "The park is brimming with activities—from swimming and splashing in the outdoor pools to experiencing the thrill of water slides."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks, especially if you're at a campground without a market. One camper at Cagle Recreation Area mentioned, "Great trails, bank fishing, and wildlife observation."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water or while hiking. A visitor at Lake Livingston State Park Campground reminded, "Nice get away for the weekend. Short flat trails, well maintained."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A camper at Stephen Austin State Park Campground noted, "We had no problem getting our 40’ 5th wheel in the site."
  • Bring Extra Hoses: Some sites may have sewer hookups that are far away. A visitor at Cagle Recreation Area advised, "Bring an extra hose."
  • Stay Connected: Check cell service availability before you go. One camper at Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "AT&T service is okay, but no T-Mobile service."

Camping near Willis, Texas, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Willis, TX?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Willis, 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 Willis, TX?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Willis, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.