Best Dispersed Camping in Texas
Looking for the best Texas dispersed camping? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from technology and disconnect. Search nearby dispersed campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Dispersed Sites in Texas (71)
1. Walnut Springs Area — Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Willow City, Texas24 Reviews•64 Photos•19 SavesMoss Lake (eight sites) and Walnut Springs (12 sites) are a 1 to 3 mile hike over rugged terrain. We charge an excess vehicle fee of $6 per car, per night, for each vehicle over two per campsite. No ash-producing fires are permitted in this area. You may use containerized fuel stoves that can be turned off for cooking. Minors (under 17) who are not camping with a sponsored group must provide a written consent form to stay overnight. No hammocks allowed in primitive camping areas.
Magical, Mystical, Enchanted Climb the ancient dome for amazing Hill Country views.
The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. But there’s more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too!
Things to Do You can hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, bird, study nature, geocache and stargaze. (You cannot swim here or ride bikes on the trails.)
Hiking Explore nearly 11 miles of hiking trails. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map.
All trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the Loop Trail. The Summit Trail may close in wet weather. Check our trail status here or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed. Rock Climbing Rock climbers must check in at park headquarters. You can pick up route maps there and read the climbing rules. Read through our Climbing Information before you come.
Pets To protect this Natural Area, pets are only allowed in the designated day-use picnic areas, the campgrounds, and on the Loop Trail (pets are not allowed on any other trail). Don't leave pets unattended, including in vehicles and at campsites, and keep them on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
Shopping Our park store carries some gift items. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. Please bring your own drinking water, as it is in short supply due to the ongoing drought.
Get involved Enchanted Rock needs your help! We will match your abilities to our many needs. You might guide a group to the summit, lead a tour of the loop trail, provide information to park visitors, or help maintain park facilities. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
Join or donate to the Friends of Enchanted Rock.
Outfitters and guide services The following guides lead rock climbing tours at Enchanted Rock:
Austin Ascents, austinascents@gmail.com Outpost Wilderness Adventure, info@owa.com Rock-About Climbing Adventures, Adam@Rock-About.com Texas Climbing Adventures, info@texasclimbingadventures.com Ranger Programs Enjoy a star party or a nature hike led by a park ranger, or contact the park for special tours for your group.
Check our Events page for upcoming programs. Become a Junior Ranger! Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Guide and borrow an explorer pack. Email us to schedule a school or youth group tour. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Area Attractions Visit Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture in the Texas Hill Country. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. Stop by Llano, known as the “Deer Capital of Texas,” for museums, music and more.
President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Tour the Texas White House and Johnson’s boyhood home. The Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site and the Sauer-Beckmann living history farm are nearby.
Drive the Peach Loop, one of TPWD’s Great Texas Wildlife Trails. It will lead you to some of the best wildlife observation points in this area.
- Pets
- Tents
- Toilets
$10 / night
2. Magnolia Beach
Austwell, Texas20 Reviews•59 Photos•238 SavesBe aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Dispersed
3. Port Aransas Permit Beach
Port Aransas, Texas16 Reviews•57 Photos•129 SavesIn Port ‘A’, it’s all about fun in the sun and sand! The beaches of Mustang Island are fantastically unique. There are eighteen miles of uninterrupted public shoreline, open for street legal vehicles and all things beachy! The warm Gulf waters and soft Texas sand are the perfect backdrop for a day full of beach, recreational activities, and nights highlighted with moonlight strolls. Parking a car on the beach requires a $12 annual sticker that can be purchased at City Hall (710 W. Avenue A), our local grocery store Family Center IGA, from local convenience stores or from vendors located on the beach. The sticker allows the vehicle to park along the beach from the City Limit at Lantana Dr near Horace Cladwell Pier through Port Aransas Beach to the Kleberg County line (south of Bob Hall Pier) making it valid in Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. 58. An additional $40.00 permit is required for Port Aransas camping. Small campfires 3 ft. x 3ft. are allowed on the beach.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Group
- Dispersed
- Trash
4. Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping
Port Bolivar, Texas14 Reviews•56 Photos•280 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Toilets
5. North Beach — Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas14 Reviews•38 Photos•199 SavesBe aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
6. Neches Bluff Overlook Campground
Alto, Texas12 Reviews•49 Photos•196 SavesThis is a trailhead for the 4C Hiking Trail. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
7. South Beach — Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas11 Reviews•43 Photos•288 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Market
8. Follett’s Island Beach
Freeport, Texas11 Reviews•35 Photos•240 SavesFollett's Island is the 13-mile stretch of public access beach along the Gulf of Mexico that protects Christmas Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway from severe weather, and provides the community with free entertainment and relaxation. Visitors of Follett's Island enjoy fishing, swimming, and camping along the beach year round. The beach is available via public access entrances along Bluewater Highway, or CR 257.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping
Alvord, Texas11 Reviews•37 Photos•135 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Fritch, Texas10 Reviews•34 Photos•130 SavesThese areas are located south of the lake off of State Highway 136. There are large cottonwood trees that provide shade. The Mullinaw Creek area features the expanded Mullinaw Trails System . This trail system is open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES ALLOWED. No drinking water or flush toilets; vault-evaporator toilets only. Picnic tables, shade shelters, and grills. Horse corrals are located at Mullinaw Campground. The dirt roads can become impassable after rain.
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Texas
201 Reviews of 71 Texas Campgrounds
Kevin C.
Ranger
Madera Canyon Roadside Park Dispersed
Good remote disbursed camping.
Wal traveling from Big Bend NP to El Paso and thus wa sthe perfect place to stop for the night.
This is a spectacular location for star gazing. It's also close to the McDonald Observatory. This is an important historical site and I would strongly recommend getting a tour.
The campsite was very quiet and privacy is better than anything else in West Texas. Great hiking trail. The only downsides are the wind.
Tiffany S.
Scout
Port Aransas Permit Beach
Beautiful spots on water just park
Great spot to pull up set a tent up or pull your own camper in. Just get a $12 parking permit at the stripes gas station and you're good to stay over night!
Debra B.ScoutMadera Canyon Roadside Park Dispersed
perfect for getaway
super quiet. right off the highway, but very little traffic. pretty level spots. i take my converted cargo trailer often. the hike is an easy one with small children and gives visitors a taste of the actual landscape of Jeff Davis mountains, TX
- ssav
Guide
Hunter Park
Pretty!
A cute little park with lots of picnic tables, a pier, and a huge field. The bathrooms were closed but they supplied a porta potty and the nearest gas station is only about two minutes away. Very connected to civilization and it was very well kept. Lots of people seemed to know about it, there were around 15 people who camped there last night and ten or so cars that came through for the fishing pier. If you’re a fisher, this is the place to be! The fish are active. The lake is gorgeous, but if you are car camping or tent camping, be wary about the fact that there will be little to no shade. Plenty of space for a big rig, and the whole thing is designed in a loop, so no backing out necessary! Plus all driving areas to and from the campsite, as well as in it, are paved.
- ssavGuide
Iron Bridge Park at Belton Lake
Cool!
This place is kind of out of the way, around 20/30 mins of driving off of the nearest highway/interstate. The area consists of a medium sized gravel parking lot and grassy areas with covered cement picnic tables as well as a boat ramp at the end. There are trash cans and two bathrooms (holes in the ground with four walls). Be prepared for no toilet paper lol! There are no real established sites, outside of plenty of space to park next to picnic tables and a parking lot. There is enough room to get a big rig to come through, park, and pull around. The gravel/ground is tightly packed with plenty of flat areas for tenting as well. For being so far back, the park is pretty busy. There are people that live out here and people that come out here for 12-6 am hunting/fishing/driving. We weren’t bothered at all, despite being in the way. The park is open 24/7 and doesn’t require a permit or pass of any kind. It’s far enough out of the way that the stars were beautiful, and despite being near a popular-ish waterway it did not smell like dead fish.
- ssavGuide
High Island Beach
Love!
Super pretty. It is the true meaning of dispersed camping, so zero established sites. Plenty of room to go out and turn around with a big rig, and the sand is very hard packed so I wouldn’t be too worried about sinking as long as you hug a little closer to the shoreline versus the grass. There’s a parking lot before the beach that’s asphalt and seems to be fair game. The drive out to the beach is well established and well marked, so it’s easy to find. We went in November so it dropped to 40’ in the night; be prepared for colder temperatures.
- AAustin M.Scout
Public Ramp 1 Titus County Freshwater Supply District
Need a Vehicle
We hitchhiked here and got turned away for not having a vehicle to register with the campground. The grounds looked nice, but be advised that if you are traveling on foot you will not be permitted to enter.
Jordan P.
TravelerMadera Canyon Roadside Park Dispersed
Super peaceful.
Awesome free camping. No cell service.
Thomas and James S.Guide
Gulf Side Oasis Beach Dispersed
Gulf Oasis road 4
Absolutely breathtaking! Parked parallel to the dunes off the packed down sand! 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.
- JJesse J.Traveler
Madera Canyon Roadside Park Dispersed
Nice roadside park with hiking trail
4 or 5 sites nicely spread out with picnic tables and garbage cans at each site, there are no restrooms or water, Madera Canyon trailhead starts from a small parking area near one end of the park and is a 2 mile loop trail with nice views, the trail information board says overnight parking is allowed at the picnic sites but not in the trail parking area, it does not specify how many nights, we stayed 2 nights in a class c with a tow vehicle, it was peaceful and the trail was a great hike. We had no Verizon service here.
- Yasmin S.Ranger
Sexton Pond Dispersed
Sexton Pond.
If looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place. I got lucky enough had the place to myself for almost 2 weeks, give or take the few groups that tried to tough the biting fish. I will share a tip. They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting. Please clean behind as you found it.
- Yasmin S.Ranger
Angelina River/Hwy 59 Dispersed
Angelina 59 Boat Ramp
If you like fishing this is a popular fav spot among locals. You can float the river most either way overall. Sand bass is a fav when in season.
- Yasmin S.Ranger
Rock Hole Dispersed
Rock Hole / Slitz Hole
Famous place where the limestone for the Galveston seawall after the storm of 1901 Has two ponds or waterholes. One is good just for fishing. The other grew up swimming in. Found big chunks of limestone all around still.
- JJoe K.Guide
Brazoria Beach
Easy hard packed sand to drive on
Drove in on a Monday and love it already. They were combing the beach section I came in on and I picked the first spot that was at least 100 yds away from the only two others that were there. So far so great.
- AAngela R.Guide
Port Aransas Permit Beach
Another Great Stay
This is our second time to Boondock on the beach. We were at marker 25 and once again thoroughly enjoyed it. It was Labor Day weekend so it was PACKED. People will pile in on top of you, but that’s the way it is. Not enough beach for so many people. The meter maid lady will harass you endlessly, but we just ignored her and continued having fun. There is a 3 night maximum in a 21 day period. Don’t try to outsmart the meter maid. She takes pictures of license plates and writes down the departure dates. She enjoys enforcing the rules.
- SStephanie W.Scout
Thomspon Grove Campground
Not camping
It’s a picnic area
- AAngela R.Guide
Port Aransas Permit Beach
Great Stay
We are Boondocking at MM 27 there are of course no hookups but I.B Magee allows you to dump and fill your tanks for $10. People pile on top of you during the day and we got a $281 ticket for parking parallel to the beach (we thought you only had to be perpendicular at the posts). That’s all the bad. Literally it. The beach is beautiful, the breeze is so nice we didn’t even run our generator during the day, the people are so fun, and the luxury of not packing our stuff up to drive to the beach every day is wonderful. We are already planning our next trip.
- mmatt M.Traveler
5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping
No trespassing and dog warning signs
The coordinates bring you to what looks like a driveway that has signs for no trespassing and beware of dogs. After looking at the map, it looks like that’s the only way to get back there, so I’m assuming the homeowner who shares that road put those signs to keep people away.
- mmarty E.Guide
Elephant mountain WMA
Permit? or No Permit?
The area around Elephant Mountain is beautiful and the mountain itself is a huge bluff sticking up out of the otherwise flat landscape. The campsites are basic with a vault toilet in a little shack. It was adequate for what I needed... just an overnight. But it's very hard to tell if a permit is needed. Dyrt says Yes, and the info at the entrance says yes, but there's no indication how to get one. I did not have a permit and nothing happened, but I was a bit paranoid. I'd say the landscape is the best part of this campsite.
Emma H.Scout
Thomas Lake Park
Amazing!
Site and road to it are both well-maintained. Absolutely gorgeous views of the water. We got the best sleep we’ve ever had camping with the soft grass and our sleeping pad. Watch out for mud spots in the grass.
- Jinoo J.Scout
Limestone Lake Park
Beautiful lakeside spots!
Got in around 11pm on a Friday night and there were plenty of spots open. Woke up to an incredible view and more people around (but still not too crowded). Great spot for boating & fishing too.
- MMadeline G.Traveler
SH 207 Palo Duro Canyon Overlook
Private Picnic Area Car-Camp Spot
Loved it here! But the listing on here is misleading; it is actually a picnic/rest overlook area that allows car/RV camping but I’m sure no tents. There are no bathrooms or water but very nice picnic tables, trash cans, a grill, and shaded paved areas. Lots of grass and trees, dogs allowed, and a parking lot. We had one neighbor when we stayed one night and the view can’t be beat. Would definitely come back- a few people come and go and it seems to be a hidden gem.
Coleena and John Diggidy Dog H.ScoutBrazoria Beach
Great spot during the middle of the week
Does not have the white sands of South Padre, but not much of a chance of getting stuck unless you really try. Dodge 2wd 1500 pulling 10 ft trailer with no issues getting in and out. Very quite during the week. There is some trash around and that is sad. We picked up every day but still needs help fosterm all. Weekend it get a bit crowed and becouse of the hard pack sand, some people we're going alot faster then the 15 mile an hour speed limit. Weelend also brings vender trucks coming down the beach all the time. We were a bit irritated at 1st but then bought ice-cream LOL We live in Fort Worth and the trip here is about 200 miles shorter then South Padre so it will be a great place to hit when we dont want to travel that extra 200
- RRonald S.Scout
LBJ National Grasslands Forest Road 904 Dispersed Camping
Very remote
Remote dispersed. Great camping for north central Texas. The sites are a good distance between them. You can drive along the roads and look for them. We spotted 22 sites, there may be more. Download maps before getting here. Cell is not the best. No bathrooms, water, etc. Pack in/pack out. Downloadable hiking maps availability on other apps. Only saw 3 other cameras while we were here. Great hiking.
- BBrooke L.Traveler
Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping
Joint bachelor/bachelorette
Me and my fiancé went to Bolivar Flats to camp out with our friends and had a really awesome time!
- AAustin B.Traveler
Neches Bluff Overlook Campground
Simple camping
Love this location everything was so simple nothing extra just simple relaxing camping and beautiful scenery
- TTyler M.Scout
SH 207 Palo Duro Canyon Overlook
Great Spot for the Night
What a great find. Small lot, but stunning views of the canyon below and enough room for the low traffic it seems like this sees. Some Verizon signal but only by the fence line.
Guide to Texas
Experience the beauty of Texas through dispersed camping, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. From serene beaches to rugged hills, Texas offers a variety of landscapes perfect for your next outdoor adventure.
Top Activities While Free Camping in Texas
- Hike the scenic trails at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where you can enjoy breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Explore the calm waters and enjoy fishing at Limestone Lake Park, a hidden gem ideal for boating and relaxing by the lakeside.
- Experience the vibrant beach life at Brazoria Beach, where you can set up camp right on the sand and enjoy the sound of the waves.
Unique Attractions for Dispersed Campers
- Witness stunning sunrises and sunsets at Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping, a less crowded beach spot perfect for nature lovers.
- Discover the diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes at Elephant Mountain WMA, where you can enjoy hiking and wildlife watching.
- Enjoy the tranquility of Neches Bluff Overlook Campground, which offers a peaceful setting surrounded by nature.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping in Texas
- Always pack out what you pack in at Magnolia Beach, as there are no trash facilities available.
- Be prepared for primitive conditions at McBride Canyon & Mullinaw Creek Camp, where amenities are minimal but the scenery is stunning.
- Bring plenty of water and supplies when visiting LBJ National Grasslands, as there are no water sources or facilities on-site.