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Old 08-28-2014, 10:16 AM   #1
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Question about Boondocking in Texas

Where can I boondock in Texas without violating something?
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Old 08-28-2014, 10:48 AM   #2
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Huh?
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Old 08-28-2014, 12:40 PM   #3
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Where can I boondock in Texas without violating something?
I understand the question. I don't have an answer, but I understand the question.

OP is right, most of the land here in TX is private land, so you have to really search for places to just drive off into the wilderness. There really aren't all that many! There are a handful of national forests that might be pretty good candidates, but most of them are in East Texas (Angelina Nat'l Forest comes to mind).

One really neat place I'd like to boondock one day is the beach. At Port Aransas, you can get a $12 parking pass that lasts all year and gives you unlimited access to the beach parking area. Further South down the beach, there is plenty of relatively easy beach access that's totally free.

I understand that Big Bend has some "off the grid" camping areas. Last time I looked they require "high clearance vehicles" for access. I kinda stopped looking at that because there's no way I'm getting DW to camp in a tent again even if the XTerra could get way out there, and I don't have the truck to be taking my trailer anywhere but the most polite asphalt!

Bottom line? Boondocking is more difficult in Texas than other regions of the country. We have A LOT of land, but someone or other (not the State) owns it and you're trespassing.
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Old 08-28-2014, 09:22 PM   #4
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You can camp on the gulf shore on Padre Island National Seashore, but you have to pay the national park fee. Camping is free, but limited in duration. Also, on the north end of Padre Island, Bird Island Basin is a spot you can camp for up to 8 weeks of the year for a low price, I think I paid $10. It's more like a campground on the shoreline, with no improvements or utilities.

I've boondocked in Sam Houston National Forest. Great spot by a little pond, had a latrine toilet available. And while I was there, a rooster visited me for a few days. Even tried to fly into my trailer at sunset.

National Forests and National Grasslands almost always have boondocking opportunities available.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/texa...30198&actid=34
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Old 08-30-2014, 06:34 PM   #5
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Wally World...anything you need at your ft dr.
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Old 08-30-2014, 07:41 PM   #6
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Wally World...anything you need at your ft dr.
And Flying J's. I was at Big Bend last year, and the off-grid camping was still regulated. Only so many spots available, and you had to sign in. Camping in those spots was subject to availability.

CharlieC, if you aren't limited to Texas, you might check out some places further west. Quartzsite comes to mind.
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Old 08-30-2014, 07:59 PM   #7
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When we are on the road to get where we want to be we will look for small towns for bank parking lots, supermarkets that close early, small strip centers that close early.

We pulled into a small strip center one night, only us, nice and flat and dark.
Got in bed...couple hours latter we started hearing a alarm. Looked out dudes trying to break in. Didn't even see us. Cops responded to alarms and rounded them up. We just sit outside and watched it all. It was actually funny watching.
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Old 08-30-2014, 08:13 PM   #8
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Dang, I'm surprised they didn't peg your rig as the get away vehicle. Sounds like a good time!
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