When the campsite is free, we can spend more on food, beverages, and gear.  With Memorial Day Weekend coming up, now is the time to think about where you want to pitch that tent, so we've compiled a list of the best free campsites around East Texas.

Texans are great at taking advantage of the spring weather, and camping when afternoon highs are in the 80s and overnight lows are in the 60s.  July and August camping trips are usually highlighted by sunburns and sweat, and the cooler weather now is probably why Memorial Day camping trips are so popular.  Even better if the camping ground offers free space for your tent.

Freecampsites.net is a community-based site that just wants to get us all out there camping more frequently, and they encourage anyone to add a free campsite to the map. These are some of the free campsites I discovered there.

Hill Creek Park
17267 Slack Road
Whitehouse, Texas

1. Head east on Farm to Market 346 E/E Main St toward Forest Creek Dr
2. Slight left onto Concession Rd
3. Take the 1st left to stay on Concession Rd

Highway 64 Ramp
17456 Texas 64
Arp, Texas
Old Omen West Park
Old Omen Road
Tyler, Texas

East Side Park #4
17132 Eastside Road
Tyler, Texas

Alabama Creek WMA - Holly Bluff 2 and Holly Bluff 3
Holly Bluff Road
Apple Springs, Texas

Bannister WMA - Road 374
Farm to Market Road 1277
Broaddus, Texas

Campbell Timberland Mgmt Unit 106
Farm to Market Road 3316
San Augustine, Texas

Neches Bluff Overlook
Forest Service Road 511-A
Grapeland, Texas

Some of those are parking lots and might be better suited for an RV than a tent, unless you have a really comfy air mattress for cushion.

The reviews on the Hawkins Lake site say it's a quiet spot nestled in with trees and it's right on the lake, and there are several picnic spots nearby.  That might be the best free spot.  The secret is out.

Memorial Day Weekend is one of the biggest camping periods of the year. so now is a good time to secure reservations if you want to book one of the permit or pay sites in East Texas.  The free sites are usually first-come-first serve.  And if you miss out, there's always the back yard!  That's free too.

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