Boondocking in Texas!
Boondocking in Texas is found mostly at the state’s five national forests and five national grasslands. There is also free camping along South Padre Island, and at two National Wildlife Refuges. The Army Corps of Engineers offers free camping at several of its reservoirs. You can find free camping in the state’s wildlife management areas.
Texas Boondocking Map
This Texas Boondocking Map contains locations of free boondocking and free campgrounds where bloggers and YouTubers have produced detailed reviews. Click on a map marker to access their reviews…
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Texas Boondocking Maps
Texas Rest Area Map
Updated: July 19, 2024
Locations pinned in the Texas rest area map below were collected from data published by the Texas Department of Transportation....
Is Boondocking Allowed in Big Bend National Park?
Updated: September 21, 2024
Yes and no. Boondocking and dispersed camping is not technically allowed in Big Bend National Park. However, the park does...
Map of Roadside Campsites at Big Bend National Park
Updated: July 19, 2024
This map of backcountry roadside campsites at Big Bend National Park is based on information published by the National Park...
Camping at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Updated: July 17, 2024
Camping at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is allowed at the refuge's only campground. It's not free, however, but it's...
LBJ National Grasslands Camping Map, Decatur, TX
Updated: July 17, 2024
Located near Decatur, TX, the US Forest Service-managed LBJ National Grassland is a popular area for free camping. This camping...
Free Camping at Toledo Bend Reservoir, Center, TX
Updated: July 17, 2024
Most of the free camping areas along the shoreline of Toledo Bend Reservoir lies on the Texas side, all within...
Places to Camp for Free in Texas
Indian Mounds Campground, Hemphill, TX
Updated: June 20, 2024
This is a developed campground currently offered for free. It is technically on land owned by Sabine National Forest, but...
Forest Road 147, Huxley, TX
Updated: June 20, 2024
This is a forest road where dispersed camping frequently occurs, though technically, according to Sabine National Forest's motor vehicle use...
Foster Park, San Angelo, TX
Updated: July 2, 2024
This small park located along Spring Creek is operated by Tom Green County as a destination for picnics and camping....
Twin Buttes Equalization Channel
Updated: July 2, 2024
The Equalization Channel refers to a channel of water that connects the two reservoirs at Twin Buttes Recreation Area. There...
Twin Buttes Marina Park
Updated: July 2, 2024
Twin Buttes Marina Park is the primary boat launch and campground for the reservoir. There are at about a couple...
Twin Buttes Marina Circle
Updated: July 2, 2024
Twin Buttes Circle refers to the circular road with boat ramp, parking lot, and camping area located off of Twin...
Falcon County Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This county park has the dubious reputation of having no time limits on camping, thus you'll find several campers who...
Boca Chica Beach, Texas
Updated: July 2, 2024
Boca Chica Beach lies near the southern tip of Texas along the shore, at the end of State Highway 4....
Yarborough Pass, Padre Island, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Yarborough Pass is a primitive camping area located along the Laguna Madre. It is accessed by driving down South Beach...
South Beach, Mile 5-60, Padre Island, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
South Beach, Mile 5-60, differs from Mile 0-5 in that 4WD is required, whereas at Mile 0-5, 2WD is allowed....
South Beach, Mile 0-5, Padre Island, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Miles 0-5 along South Beach, Padre Island is open for free, dispersed camping. This section of South Beach is open...
North Beach, Padre Island, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
North Beach is one of four dispersed camping areas in Padre Island National Seashore. A permit is required to camp...
Labonte Park, Corpus Christi, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Named for famed race car driver Bobby and Terry Labonte, natives of Corpus Christie, this park is set up specifically...
Magnolia Beach Park, Texas
Updated: July 2, 2024
One of the top boondocking destinations in Texas, Magnolia Beach Park offers hard packed sand on the beach right in...
Indianola Beach Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
Indianola is a famous place in Texas history going back into the 1600s. This is a free campground located at...
Olivia Haterius Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is a small boat ramp and parking lot with picnic tables and trash cans. There is a sign stating...
Oyster Lake Park, Collegeport, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small fishing park is located at the bridge separating Matagorda Bay with Oyster Lake. It's too small for large...
Carl Park, Palacios, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This county park is located on the Tres Palacios River, below the FM 521 bridge, about two miles north of...
West Mooring Dock Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This moring, park, and boat ramp is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers, but maintained by the County...
Sargent Beach Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
Also known as "Chamber Park", this is the parking lot for a small stretch of beach. The lot is owned...
Bryan Beach, Freeport, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Bryan Beach (also known as Freeport Beach) is a strip of beach that straddles the city boundary between Freeport, TX...
Brazoria County Free Beach Access #5
Updated: July 2, 2024
Camping along beaches in Brazoria County is free as long as its not within an incorporated city or town. The...
Brazoria County Free Beach Access #4
Updated: July 2, 2024
Camping along beaches in Brazoria County is free as long as its not within an incorporated city or town. The...
Brazoria County Free Beach Access #3
Updated: July 2, 2024
Camping along beaches in Brazoria County is free as long as its not within an incorporated city or town. The...
Brazoria County Free Beach Access #2
Updated: July 2, 2024
Camping along beaches in Brazoria County is free as long as its not within an incorporated city or town. The...
Brazoria County Free Beach Access #1
Updated: July 2, 2024
Camping along beaches in Brazoria County is free as long as its not within an incorporated city or town. The...
Bolivar Flats Beach
Updated: June 16, 2024
Bolivar Flats Beach is a free beach located at the Retillon Road entrance, then northeast up to the "washout" (about...
High Island Beach, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
High Island Beach is a free beach area that once was home to several beach-front residences. In September 2008, Hurricane...
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
Updated: July 7, 2024
The only place where camping is allowed at McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is along the beach. It's free to camp...
Winnie Stowell Park, Winnie, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This county park is located about a mile from Interstate 10, and offers free camping by permit only. The permit...
Job Beason Park, Anahuac, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small park is largely a boat ramp with a large parking lot. There is a small playground, and a...
Double Bayou Park, Anahuac, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Double Bayou Park is located along East Fork Double Bayou, about seven miles south of the town of Anahuac. It's...
Fort Anahuac Park, Anahuac, TX
Updated: July 2, 2024
Fort Anahuac Park is owned and operated by the County of Chambers as Fort Anhuac Park, a multi-purpose facility with...
White’s Park Arena Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
This campground is part of the White's Park Rodeo Arena, originally intended to support rodeo participants and their living quarters...
Spring Creek Park Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
This county park offers eight (8) RV campsites, fore free, with full hookups, including 50-30-20 electric, potable water, and sewer....
Kelly’s Pond Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is officially a "tent only" campground, where campers must utilize the adjacent parking area and walk into the camping...
Shell Oil Road Hunters Camp
Updated: June 16, 2024
One of the more popular hunters camps in Sam Houston National Forest, this campground comes with a porta-potty and a...
Forest Road 217A Hunters Camp
Updated: June 16, 2024
This hunters camp is open for anyone to camp in, even though it was originally intentioned for game hunters. It...
Bouton Lake Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small campground offers seven (7) primitive campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern post at each site. There...
Haley’s Ferry Boat Ramp
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is a small boat ramp and recreation area along Forest Road 100, on the north side of Bayou Siepe....
Tailrace Channel Recreation Area
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small recreation serves primarily as a boat ramp and fishing area, however the Sabine River Authority of Texas says...
Bubba Cowser Recreation Area
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small recreation area is largely a boat ramp and some parking for trucks and trailers. However, there are a...
Swede Johnson Recreation Area
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small campground and boat launch area is operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas. It's a free campground that...
Sam Forse Collins Recreation Area
Updated: June 16, 2024
This free campground and picnic area is operated by Sabine River Authority of Texas. It offers numerous picnic tables, cooking...
Neches Bluff Overlook, Weches, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small campground and viewing area is offered for free by the U.S. Forest Service. All it appears to offer...
Hunter Park, Granbury, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small park has a campground lined up along the lakeshore. You can park your motorhome or trailer along the...
Thorp Spring Park, Granbury, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This little park operated by Brazos River Authority doubles as a campground even though it doesn't appear to be a...
De Cordova Bend Park, Granbury, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Operated by the Brazos River Authority as a campground and picnic area, De Cordova Bend Park is a popular area...
Pleasure Point Park, Winnsboro, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Pleasure Point Park lies at the end of a peninsula at the south-west portion of the lake. It's owned by...
Lake Winnsboro Park, Winnsboro, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This tiny park is administered by Wood County intended as a day-use area, but has long been used by fisherman...
Fort Sherman Dam Recreational Area
Updated: July 6, 2024
Fort Sherman Dam Road runs through a small peninsula at the north-east side of Lake Bob Sandlin. The road provides...
Thomas Lake Park, Naples, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Thomas Lake Park is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers as a free campground and boat ramp along Thomas...
Jackson Creek Park, Douglassville, TX
Updated: July 12, 2024
This Army Corps of Engineers campground is heavily wooded, but comes with the usual amenities the ACOE is known known...
Joe Benton Park, Nocona, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Joe Benton Park is owned and operated by the City of Nocona. It's one of two free campgrounds the city...
Lake Daniel Campground, Breckenridge, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
About seven miles south Breckenridge, TX is Lake Daniel. The city-owned campground is located along the northern shore, on the...
Game Warden Slough, Breckenridge, TX
Updated: July 6, 2024
Operated by West Central Texas Municipal Water District, this campground doubles as a public park area on the north end...
Peeler Park, Breckenridge, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Peeler Park is effectively a boat ramp and parking lot operated by West Central Texas Municipal Water District. According to...
Millers Creek Reservoir
Updated: July 6, 2024
Millers Creek Reservoir lies about 50 miles southwest of Wichita Falls, and is located in the middle of ranches, farms,...
Knox City RV Park, Knox City, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Just a small grassy lot with four (4) back-in sites with 50-30-12 amp electrical hookups, potable water hookup, and sewer...
Haskell RV Park, Haskell, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This city-owned RV park has 36 spaces, most of which are pull through, and outfitted with 50-30-15 amp electrical hookups,...
Johnson Park, Abilene, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Located at the north end of Lake Fort Phantom Hill, next to the dam, Johnson Park is largely a day-use...
Seabee Park, Abilene, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Seabee Park is owned and operated by the City of Abilene. It's one of two city parks located at Lake...
Hamlin RV Park, Hamlin, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small RV park located in the heart of the city, offers only six (6) sites, with 30 amp electrical...
Hamlin City Park Campground, Hamlin, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Operated by the City of Hamlin, this small RV Park offers a free one night stay with 30 amp and...
Lake Trammell Park, Sweetwater, TX
Updated: July 2, 2024
Much of the free camping is found on the east side of the lake, though there are some places on...
Slaton City Park Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
This RV park is located in the middle of a city park, along side a chain link fence. There are...
Crosbyton City RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
Free two (2) night stay at a little RV park in the edge of town. Operated by the City of...
Wayne Russell RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small RV park is offered by the City of Floydada for free to tourists passing through or to visit...
Hobart RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small RV park is owned and operated by the City of Pampa for visitors passing through the city. There...
Borger RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
The City of Borger RV Park is an 8-space facility located at South Main St within Huber Park. Each space...
Stinnett City RV Park
Updated: July 2, 2024
This small RV park is owned and operated by the City of Stinnett for use by visitors. With only four...
Texhoma Park Campground, Dumas TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This free RV park was created by the City of Dumas for travelers as a single-night stop over free of...
Thompson Grove Picnic Area
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is officially a picnic area though the information kiosk says that camping is allowed with a 14-day maximum stay....
City of Hereford RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is city-owned RV Park is part of the larger Hereford Aquatic Park. Camping here is free, and comes with...
Waylon Jennings RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small city-owned RV park was named after country-singer Waylon Jennings because the famed musician was born in Littlefield. The...
Morton City Park Campground
Updated: June 16, 2024
Free RV camping, year round access, with four (4) pull-through sites, 20/30/50 amp electrical hookups, potable water hookup, and trash...
Levelland RV Park, Levelland, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
One of Levelland's special use parks, this park is reserved for recreational vehicles. This RV Park is located south of...
Coleman RV Park, Brownfield, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Coleman RV Park is owned and managed by the City of Brownfield. It's a free facility for visitors to Brownfield....
City RV Parking Area, La Mesa, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
This small RV Park is located inside Forrest Park, in the City of La Mesa, TX. It has eight (8)...
Yoakum County Park, Denver City, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
This county park boasts free RV camping with free electrical hookups and potable water, as well as a dump station....
Andrews County Chamber of Commerce RV Park
Updated: June 16, 2024
This is a small RV park with five sites, completely free to use, with no reservations, including electrical and water...
Buffalo Creek Reservoir, Iowa Park, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
There is free camping allowed at the boat ramp area of Buffalo Creek Reservoir, about a mile west of Iowa...
Red Bluff Dam Park, Orla, Texas
Updated: July 6, 2024
Red Bluff Dam and Reservoir is located on the Pecos River in Loving and Reeves counties. Red Bluff Reservoir is...
Soldiers Bluff Park, Lake Whitney, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
Soldiers Bluff Park is located on the west end of the Whitney Dam on State Highway 22. There are 14...
Walling Bend Park, Lake Whitney, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
Walling Bend Park is located on the west side of Whitney Lake off of FM 2841. The campground has 10...
Steele Creek Park, Lake Whitney, Texas
Updated: June 16, 2024
Steele Creek Park is located on the west side of the lake off of FM 56 near Lakeside Village, Texas....
Forest Road 904, Decatur, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Forest Road 904, LBJ National Grasslands, TX Nestled within the heart of North Texas, the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National...
Cedar Creek Campground, Lake Whitney, TX
Updated: June 16, 2024
Cedar Creek Campground, Lake Whitney, TX Cedar Creek Campground stands as a natural haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by rocky...
Texas State Camping Laws and Regulations
Can You Sell Products at a Texas Rest Area?
Updated: July 17, 2024
Existing state regulations seem unclear on whether or not you can sell products at a Texas rest area. This is...
Can You Park Overnight On the On-Ramp or Off-Ramp to a Rest Area in Texas?
Updated: July 17, 2024
Yes, you can park overnight on the on-ramp and off-ramp to a rest area in Texas. The Texas Transportation Code...
Texas Rest Area Rules
Updated: July 19, 2024
Does Texas allow you to park overnight at their rest areas? Is sleeping in your car permitted at Texas Rest...
