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…
BOUTON LAKE (Campground)
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…
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…