Saved Account Join
A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Public land camping

Camping in Texas

115 federal places to camp in Texas, from Forest Service, National Park Service and Army Corps of Engineers, on the land they sit on.

115
federal places to camp
17 Forest Service, 23 National Park Service, 75 Army Corps of Engineers
4,782
campsites you can book ahead
At the 90 places that take reservations on Recreation.gov. 10 more are first come, first served
6,264 ft
the highest you can drive to
Dog Canyon Campground
39
counties with federal camping
81 gateway towns, each with three or more within 30 miles

The Texas campground map

Select a pin for its elevation, its sites and its page. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see how you get there, and use the finder for a campground, a town or a peak.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Texas

115 places

  1. 277 North Group Campground group campground Park Service · Amistad National Recreation Area · Val Verde County 1,131 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  2. Airport Park Army Corps · Waco Lake · McLennan County 505 ftelevation 69sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  3. Alley Creek Camp Army Corps · Lake O' The Pines · Marion County 267 ftelevation 80sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  4. Bear Creek Army Corps · Benbrook Lake · Tarrant County 722 ftelevation 47sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  5. Big Bend Backcountry Camping Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 3,738 ftelevation 49sites 30 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  6. Bird Island Basin Campground Park Service · Padre Island National Seashore · Kleberg County 4 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  7. Black Creek Lake Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Wise County 960 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  8. Blue West Campground Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Moore County 3,080 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  9. Bois D' Arc Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Fannin County 545 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  10. Boles Field Campground Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Sabine County 181 ftelevation 20sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  11. Boykin Springs Camping Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Jasper County 183 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  12. Brushy Creek Army Corps · Lake O' The Pines · Marion County 276 ftelevation 98sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  13. Buckhorn Creek Army Corps · Lake O' The Pines · Marion County 256 ftelevation 95sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  14. Cagle Recreation Area Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Walker County 326 ftelevation 47sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  15. Caney Creek Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Angelina County 161 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  16. Cedar Breaks Park Army Corps · Georgetown Lake · Williamson County 892 ftelevation 64sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  17. Cedar Canyon Campground Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Hutchinson County 2,695 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  18. Cedar Ridge Army Corps · Belton Lake · Bell County 644 ftelevation 75sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  19. Cedron Creek Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Bosque County 569 ftelevation 57sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  20. Chimney Hollow Campground Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Moore County 2,916 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  21. Chisos Basin Campground Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 5,174 ftelevation 56sites 24 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  22. Chisos Basin Group Campground group campground Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 5,174 ftelevation 7sites 30 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  23. Clear Lake Army Corps · Lavon Lake · Collin County 493 ftelevation 23sites 78 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  24. Clear Springs Army Corps · Wright Patman Lake · Bowie County 261 ftelevation 101sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  25. Coffee Mill Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Fannin County 517 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  26. Copperas Creek Army Corps · Proctor Lake · Comanche County 1,174 ftelevation 69sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  27. Cottonwood Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 1,900 ftelevation 29sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  28. Cranes Mill Park Army Corps · Canyon Lake · Comal County 959 ftelevation 63sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  29. Damsite Texas Army Corps · Lake Texoma · Grayson County 540 ftelevation 20sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  30. Dana Peak Army Corps · Stillhouse Hollow Lake · Bell County 668 ftelevation 30sites 78 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  31. Dog Canyon Campground Park Service · Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Culberson County 6,264 ftelevation 14sites 23 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  32. Double Lake Recreation Area Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · San Jacinto County 307 ftelevation 43sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  33. East Bluff #1 Campground - Lake McClellan Forest Service · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · Gray County 2,943 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  34. East Fork Army Corps · Lavon Lake · Collin County 514 ftelevation 70sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  35. Ebenezer Park Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · Jasper County 196 ftelevation 30sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  36. Flatrock Army Corps · Hords Creek Lake · Coleman County 1,935 ftelevation 48sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  37. Friendship Park group campground Army Corps · Granger Lake · Williamson County 537 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  38. Frijole Horse Corral Campground group campground Park Service · Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Culberson County 5,400 ftelevation 1site 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  39. Guadalupe Peak Park Service · Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Culberson County 8,162 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  40. Hanks Creek Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · Angelina County 174 ftelevation 56sites 72 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  41. Harbor Bay Campground Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Moore County 2,927 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  42. Hickory Creek Army Corps · Lewisville Lake · Denton County 522 ftelevation 129sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  43. High View Army Corps · Bardwell Lake · Ellis County 449 ftelevation 38sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  44. Holiday Army Corps · Benbrook Lake · Tarrant County 734 ftelevation 105sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  45. Jim Hogg Park Army Corps · Georgetown Lake · Williamson County 871 ftelevation 147sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  46. Johnson Creek Camp Army Corps · Lake O' The Pines · Marion County 261 ftelevation 87sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  47. Juniper Point Army Corps · Lake Texoma · Grayson County 663 ftelevation 47sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  48. Kimball Bend Park Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Bosque County 555 ftelevation 36sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  49. Lake Somerville Marina & Campground Army Corps · Somerville Lake · Washington County 253 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  50. Lakeside Army Corps · Hords Creek Lake · Coleman County 1,925 ftelevation 93sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  51. Lavonia Army Corps · Lavon Lake · Collin County 511 ftelevation 45sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  52. LIBERTY HILL (Navarro Mills Lake) Army Corps · Navarro Mills Lake · Navarro County 462 ftelevation 98sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  53. Live Oak Ridge Army Corps · Belton Lake · Bell County 661 ftelevation 47sites 77 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  54. Lofers Bend East Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Hill County 561 ftelevation 67sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  55. Lofers Bend West Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Hill County 561 ftelevation 69sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  56. Magnolia Ridge Army Corps · Steinhagen Lake · Tyler County 87 ftelevation 34sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  57. Malaquite Campground Park Service · Padre Island National Seashore · Kleberg County 13 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  58. Malden Lake Campground Army Corps · Wright Patman Lake · Bowie County 258 ftelevation 38sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  59. McBride Canyon and Mullinaw Creek Campgrounds Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Potter County 2,942 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  60. Mccown Valley Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Hill County 600 ftelevation 105sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  61. McDowell Campground Forest Service · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · Gray County 2,931 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  62. Midway Army Corps · Waco Lake · McLennan County 507 ftelevation 37sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  63. Mill Creek Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · Sabine County 180 ftelevation 109sites 63 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  64. Mott Army Corps · Bardwell Lake · Ellis County 462 ftelevation 33sites 76 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  65. Murrell Park Army Corps · Grapevine Lake · Denton County 567 ftelevation 11sites 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  66. Mustang Army Corps · Benbrook Lake · Tarrant County 705 ftelevation 101sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  67. Mustang - Bear Creek Campground Army Corps · Benbrook Lake · Tarrant County 704 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  68. North Park Army Corps · Canyon Lake · Comal County 1,000 ftelevation 19sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  69. OAK (Navarro Mills Lake) Army Corps · Navarro Mills Lake · Navarro County 460 ftelevation 48sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  70. Pat Mayse East Army Corps · Pat Mayse Lake n/aelevation 25sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  71. Pat Mayse West Army Corps · Pat Mayse Lake · Lamar County 470 ftelevation 86sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  72. PECAN POINT PARK (Navarro Mills Lake) Army Corps · Navarro Mills Lake · Navarro County 458 ftelevation 35sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  73. Pine Springs Campground Park Service · Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Culberson County 5,730 ftelevation 35sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  74. Piney Point Army Corps · Wright Patman Lake · Cass County 291 ftelevation 52sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  75. Plowman Creek Army Corps · Whitney Lake · Bosque County 560 ftelevation 44sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  76. Plum Creek Campgrounds Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Oldham County 3,416 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  77. Potters Creek Park Army Corps · Canyon Lake · Comal County 920 ftelevation 120sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  78. Preston Bend Army Corps · Lake Texoma · Grayson County 668 ftelevation 34sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  79. Promontory Army Corps · Proctor Lake · Comanche County 1,181 ftelevation 77sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  80. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Houston County 328 ftelevation 55sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  81. Rayburn Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · San Augustine County 181 ftelevation 25sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  82. Red Hills Lake Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Sabine County 375 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  83. Reynolds Creek Army Corps · Waco Lake · McLennan County 499 ftelevation 40sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  84. Rio Grande Village Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 1,850 ftelevation 93sites 65 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  85. Rio Grande Village Group Campground group campground Park Service · Big Bend National Park · Brewster County 1,850 ftelevation 4sites 19 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  86. Rock Quarry Group Campground group campground Park Service · Amistad National Recreation Area · Val Verde County n/aelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  87. Rocky Creek (Somerville Lake) Army Corps · Somerville Lake · Washington County 272 ftelevation 140sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  88. Rocky Creek Park (Benbrook Lake) Army Corps · Benbrook Lake · Tarrant County 717 ftelevation 11sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  89. Rocky Point(Wright Patman Dam) Army Corps · Wright Patman Lake · Cass County 281 ftelevation 124sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  90. Russell Park Army Corps · Georgetown Lake · Williamson County 892 ftelevation 18sites 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  91. San Augustine Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · San Augustine County 181 ftelevation 99sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  92. San Pedro Group Campground group campground Park Service · Amistad National Recreation Area · Val Verde County 1,123 ftelevation 1site n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  93. Sanders Cove Army Corps · Pat Mayse Lake · Lamar County 505 ftelevation 88sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  94. Sandy Creek Army Corps · Steinhagen Lake · Jasper County 82 ftelevation 72sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  95. Sanford Yake Campground Park Service · Lake Meredith National Recreation Area · Carson County 3,441 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  96. Sowell Creek Army Corps · Proctor Lake · Comanche County 1,182 ftelevation 62sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  97. Speegleville Park Army Corps · Waco Lake · McLennan County n/aelevation 32sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  98. Stubblefield Lake Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Walker County 215 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  99. Tadra Point Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Wise County 965 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  100. Taylor Army Corps · Granger Lake · Williamson County 566 ftelevation 48sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  101. Tejas Park Army Corps · Georgetown Lake · Williamson County 827 ftelevation 12sites 20 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  102. Tejas Wilderness Campground Park Service · Guadalupe Mountains National Park · Culberson County 7,399 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  103. Townsend Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · San Augustine County 181 ftelevation 9sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  104. Twin Dikes Army Corps · Sam Rayburn Reservoir · Jasper County 213 ftelevation 46sites 79 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  105. Union Grove Army Corps · Stillhouse Hollow Lake · Bell County 660 ftelevation 37sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  106. Valley View Group Use group campground Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Wise County 934 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  107. Waxahachie Ck Army Corps · Bardwell Lake · Ellis County 469 ftelevation 43sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  108. West Lake Davy Crockett Forest Service · National Forests and Grasslands in Texas · Fannin County 509 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  109. Westcliff Army Corps · Belton Lake · Bell County 627 ftelevation 28sites 70 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  110. White Flint Park Army Corps · Belton Lake · Bell County 621 ftelevation 23sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  111. Willis Creek Army Corps · Granger Lake · Williamson County 532 ftelevation 44sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  112. Wilson H Fox Army Corps · Granger Lake · Williamson County 548 ftelevation 49sites 50 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  113. Winkler Park Army Corps · Belton Lake · Bell County n/aelevation 14sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  114. WOLF CREEK (Navarro Mills Lake) Army Corps · Navarro Mills Lake · Navarro County 469 ftelevation 73sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  115. Yegua Creek Army Corps · Somerville Lake · Washington County 267 ftelevation 77sites 79 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov

Camping rules worth knowing in Texas

Camping on South Beach needs no permit, but the entrance fee still applies
At Padre Island the seashore protects about 66 miles of undeveloped beach, and no permit is required to camp on South Beach, though park entrance fees still apply. The stay limit is a maximum of 14 consecutive nights and no more than 28 calendar nights a year. Camping is not permitted on Malaquite Beach at all, which is the stretch most people arrive at first. Source 35
Lake Meredith allows camping almost anywhere, for free
Visitors may camp at any location within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area for up to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period, and no more than 60 days a year. Most sites are free and first come, first served. In a state that is over 93 percent privately owned, that is one of the few places where the default answer to where to sleep is yes. Source 40

The full guide to overlanding Texas

By agency

By county

Campground records: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), read September 19, 2026. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Fees, seasons and limits change; confirm with the managing office before you go.

Join Overlanding Life
Saved Account

Start with a region

Browse the directory