EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Texas
Texas's dispersed camping is limited compared to western states — only the Davy Crockett, Angelina, Sabine, and Sam Houston national forests exist, all in the east Texas Piney Woods. The Davy Crockett National Forest near Crockett has some dispersed sites on forest roads. Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains in west Texas have primitive camping but require permits. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park has backcountry camping by permit.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Texas
The Piney Creek Horse Trail is a system of horse trails that meanders approximately 53 miles through the East Texas pineywoods in the Davy Crockett National For…
This small cove lies between Fritch Fortress and Sanford-Yake campgrounds. The area features beach camping with no individual campsites. This campground can bec…
Bird Island Basin lies along Laguna Madre with easy access for fishing, birding, windsurfing, and kayaking. There are 35 RV and tent sites and 10 additional ten…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
This remote and primitive area is located near Blue West. It is tucked in the Blue Creek embankment, which provides protection from prevailing winds. There is n…
Campground and Picnic Area This site is open for day use or overnight camping. No water available. PLEASE NOTE: Recreational Vehicles (RV's) longer than 22 feet…
Malaquite Campground is open to tents and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). It is between the dunes with beach access. There are design…
Four camping grounds are available in this region of Lake Meredith Recreation Area. There are large cottonwoods for shade. These cottonwoods turn various colors…
BOUTON LAKE (Campground)
Overview Situated on the United States-Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area is known primarily for excellent year-round, water-based recreation inclu…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Boles Field is located in the northern portion of Sabine National Forest in eastern Texas, near the border of Louisiana. The area centers around a ceme…
Bosque Campground
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Located on Boykin Springs Lake in Angelina National Forest, this recreation area offers a little of everything, including camping, hiking, fishing, pic…
Overview Chisos Basin Campground, perched high in the rugged Chisos Mountains, is the most sought-after campground in Big Bend National Park. At an altitude of …
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Cottonwood Campground is a quiet desert oasis in the southwestern corner of Big Bend National Park. Conveniently located between the Castolon Historic …
Overview Double Lake Recreation Area was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offers a little of everything, including camping, fishing, swimmin…
East Bluff #1 Campground offers picnicking, fishing and camping opportunities at Lake McClellan.
This area is part of the Davy Crockett National Forest, managed jointly with the State of Texas, as a Texas Wildlife Management Area. There are oodles of b'do…
TX 188, on the way from Alpine, TX to Big Bend National Park. Near Elephant Mountain State Wildlife Management Area (which charges for camping). Nice picnic s…
TX 188, on the way from Alpine, TX to Big Bend National Park. About 7 miles north of Elephant Mountain State Wildlife Management Area (which charges for camping…
Texas Hwy TX 166, West of Fort Davis and Davis Mountains State Park. Looked like a nice rest area for boondocking, but I did not stay here. Most Texas Picnic …
Texas Hwy TX 17. This is a nice picnic area pulloff just outside of Davis Mtns. There is a bit of traffic on TX 17, and you are VERY close to the highway. No…
"The Slab" at Boca Chica State Park East of Brownsville, TX, on route 4, 1/2 mile to Gulf of Mexico. Free camping, swimming, and fishing. No services! LAN at…
Fish Hawk Point on Lake Hawkins. Directions: West of Hawkins on US 80 turn right (North) on County Road 3440. Follow CR 3440 along the West side of the lake …
USFS. This is the Neches Bluff Overlook area just off of highway 21 in Davy Crockett National Forest. It is the Northern trailhead for the 20 mile 4C trail, w…
Falcon Heights County Park Has hot shower some sites have grills, some have picnic tables has water to each site, no sewer hookups, no electricity electrici…
Sam Houston National Forest. Multiple spots along Kelly's Pond Road. Free for up to 14 days. $5/day fee to use surrounding trails. Trail information at end …
Hidden Valley RV Park is a pay RV Park with a few sites on the parks edge for free, one night stays for RV's only, no tents. There are no facilities included s…
Free primitive camping on Matagorda Bay at Magnolia Beach, a Calhoun County park near Indianola, TX. Popular with Canadian snowbirds and van lifers. Hard-packed…
Campground has pullouts for campers. Opportunities include day use and overnight camping.
This campground is situated in what was once the historic railroad logging and sawmill town of McGaffey. McGaffey Campground was built in 1937 and lies west of …
Elevation of this campground is 5,760 feet and offers 6 camping units.
West of the community of Manzano.
Beach camping on Mustang Island in Port Aransas, TX. RV camping, tent camping, and non-self-contained camping is permitted anywhere on the beach (Marker 0 to Ma…
Small (5 sites) quiet and primitive camp in a Ponderosa forest at 7600´elevation. Located near an old mining district, the campground gets heavy use in fall hun…
Overview The Rio Grande Village Campground sits near the banks of the Rio Grande, the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. It is one of …
Overview Situated on the United States-Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area is known primarily for excellent year-round, Outdoor Activities including…
This campground has 5 camping units located at an elevation of 2,300 feet.
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
This campground is located at an elevation of 6,800 feet in the Magdalena Mountains.
group campground
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…