Texas stretches from the swamps and pinewoods of its eastern border to mesquite thickets, deserts and significant mountains in the far west. There’s seashore, prairie, canyon and a wealth of other landscapes to tempt the visitor. Some areas, especially those administered by the federal government, allow backcountry camping--and have the big empty spaces backpackers love to explore.

Big Bend National Park

Texas has some of the least visited and wildest national parks in the lower 48 states. Big Bend National Park protects a rich corner of the Chihuahan Desert along the Rio Grande in far southwest Texas. Here, backpackers can roam cactus and agave beds in the lowlands or pitch tents among conifers and pinnacles in the high Chisos Mountains, entirely contained within the park. Rafters can explore a federally designated "wild and scenic" portion of the Rio Grande in the park and camp along its banks. Backpackers must pick up a permit for overnight camping; as of 2010, the park service charged $10 for one.

P.O. Box 129

Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Typical Weather

Texas in --°F High
--°F Low Chance of Rain Cloud Cover Guadalupe Mountains National Park

In West Texas, another farflung national park--Guadalupe Mountains--protects the rugged front of an ancient reef, now manifested as a desert mountain range. Backpackers can choose among a variety of destinations, including Guadalupe Peak--at nearly 8,800 feet, the highest point in Texas. Backcountry camping is restricted to 10 established primitive campgrounds and requires a free permit available at park headquarters or the Dog Canyon Ranger Station.

400 Pine Canyon Road

Salt Flat, TX 79847

Big Thicket National Preserve

In an entirely different landscape, along the Gulf Coastal Plain at the eastern end of the state, backpackers can roam the woods and swamps of Big Thicket National Preserve. This area, more than 100,000 acres strong, boasts some the most biologically rich environments in the country and equally colorful human history. Backcountry camping is allowed in some of the Big Thicket units with a free permit from the visitor center; there are no established sites. Except along the Neches River and Village Creek, backpackers must select locations 100 feet or more from water. They also can’t set up camp nearer than 200 feet from established trails and roads or preserve-unit borders.

6044 FM 420

Kountze, TX 77625

Some Other Options

Close to 700,000 acres of eastern and northeastern Texas are managed as four national forests--the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston--and the Caddo-Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands. In many areas, primitive backcountry camping is allowed unless otherwise prohibited.

Some Texas state parks permit backcountry camping: For example, backpackers in Big Bend Ranch State Park’s designated backcountry zone can choose sites a quarter-mile or more from roads, trailheads and other campsites and no closer than 300 feet to water and areas of cultural significance.

National Forests & Grasslands in Texas

415 S. First Street, Suite 110

Lufkin, TX 75901

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

4200 Smith School Road

Austin, TX 78744

Shaw, Ethan. "Backcountry Camping in Texas." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/backcountry-camping-texas-10600.html. Accessed 14 October 2018.
Shaw, Ethan. (n.d.). Backcountry Camping in Texas. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/backcountry-camping-texas-10600.html
Shaw, Ethan. "Backcountry Camping in Texas" accessed October 14, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/backcountry-camping-texas-10600.html
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