- Whether you're on a budget
or you're looking for a great camping adventure
with a diverse range of ecoregions,
don't overlook the great state of Texas.
In this video,
we're gonna cover what you need to know
about the enormous range of free camping options
in the Lone Star State, coming right up.
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Texas is second only to Alaska
in terms of sheer size and landmass.
And as with any large area,
there's a great deal of variation in climate
and geographic diversity,
making it one of the best states in the lower 48
to find abundant, free camping.
You can find yourself in areas running from prairies
to deserts, to mountains to marshes,
and everything in between.
The options are seemingly endless.
Here are a few of the most popular spots.
There's Padre Island National Seashore.
If you love spending time beachcombing, fishing,
or just watching pelicans soar overhead,
why not pitch a tent or park your RV there?
This national seashore offers free primitive camping spots
in five locations that are available
on a first come, first serve basis.
Camping is permitted year round
and campers merely need to obtain a free permit
from the campground's kiosk in order to camp.
Another option for great free camping is to check out some
of Texas' wildlife management areas.
There are 47 wildlife areas,
many of which offer free camping,
such as Game Warden Slough or Boone Park Campground.
Be sure to check the rules at each location
to verify the specifics on when
and where camping is allowed.
County and city parks in Texas are another great resource
for budget camping, such as Fort Anahuac Park,
or Junction City Park,
and Brazoria Beach.
Camping is free there, but in Anahuac,
you are required to get a permit from the county office.
There are also many national forest campsites,
like Neches Bluff Overlook and Big Woods Hunter Camp.
These offer primitive, dry camping with no picnic tables,
fire rings, or other amenities.
There's typically a 14-day stay limit enforced there
and campers must pack in everything they need
and pack it all out, including trash, bullet casings,
and yes, even toilet paper.
While traveling across the enormous state of Texas,
don't forget about the rest areas.
They're dotted all over the state.
And while you can't pitch a tent there,
you can sleep overnight in your vehicle or RV.
There's typically a 24-hour limit
and places like Amarillo Travel Info Center
can be a great option for a quick nap
or an overnight stay between campgrounds.
And I saved the best for last.
In my personal opinion,
the crown jewel of Texas is Big Bend National Park.
Technically, there aren't free campsites at the park,
but a backcountry permit is just $10
and allows you 14 nights of stay per year.
It's such a unique experience to camp under the stars,
far, far away from civilization
and bask in the solitude of this protected wilderness area.
These camping options were just the tip of the iceberg.
You can easily discover more free camping in Texas
or beyond at campendium.com.
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Thanks for watching guys.
Stay safe and enjoy the ride.
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