Field guide · Sites and prices

Brazos Bend State Park Campsite Types and Fees Explained

If you are weighing a tent site against a screened shelter, or wondering whether the 50-amp loop costs more, this page breaks down every overnight option at Brazos Bend with the fees TPWD lists for 2026. For the bigger picture (seasons, packing, rules), start with our Brazos Bend State Park camping guide.

Brazos Bend campsite fees at a glance

Nightly facility fees, TPWD listing checked November 2026
FacilityNightly feeUnitsPeople per siteIncluded
Premium electric (Burr Oak)$2540850-amp, water, table, upright grill, fire ring
Electric (Red Buckeye)$2533830-amp, water, table, upright grill, fire ring
Primitive walk-in$1268Table, fire ring or grill; water nearby
Screened shelter$2513820-amp, water, ceiling fan, tables, fire ring, grill
Cabin (no bathroom)$75 + tax1Not listedA/C, heater, fan, bunk bed frame, outdoor 20-amp
Youth group camp, 32 people$40232Fire pit with grill, tables, water spigot; no power
Youth group camp, 16 people$25116Fire pit with grill, table, water spigot; no power

What each Brazos Bend campsite type includes

Water and electric sites

The two developed loops are where most visitors stay. Burr Oak has 40 sites with 50-amp service; Red Buckeye has 33 with 30-amp service. Both include a water hookup, a picnic table, an upright grill, a fire ring and nearby restrooms with showers. TPWD does not list sewer hookups, so RV campers should arrive with empty tanks or plan to use the dump station shown on the official park map. Park rules say gray and black water may only be discharged there, and only one unit per site may connect to the utilities.

Because the premium 50-amp sites cost the same $25 as the 30-amp sites, the choice comes down to your power needs and which specific sites are open. Driveway lengths differ from site to site; read the details for the exact site number on the reservation website rather than relying on a park-wide maximum.

Primitive walk-in sites

Six walk-in sites are the budget option at $12. You park in a lot between sites 232 and 234 and carry gear 35 to 70 yards. They have no hookups, but water, a picnic table and a fire ring or grill are provided, and restrooms with showers are nearby. A wagon or a couple of trips with a duffel is all you need.

Screened shelters

The 13 screened shelters measure 12 by 12 feet and are screened halfway down the front three sides. They include a ceiling fan and 20-amp electricity, and outside you get one or two picnic tables, a fire ring and an upright grill. One shelter is described as wheelchair friendly. Pets are not permitted inside any park building, and that includes the shelters, so dog owners should book a campsite instead.

The cabin

The park's one cabin is a converted shelter at site #3. It has an A/C unit, a heater, lights and a wooden bunk with a twin over a queen, but no mattresses and no bathroom (showers are nearby). TPWD charges tax on it and requires a $25 key and cleaning deposit. You can pitch tents on the grass outside, which makes it a useful base for a family that wants one climate-controlled room.

Youth group camps

Three youth group sites are restricted to nonprofit youth organizations; individuals and adult groups cannot book them. Restrooms are about a quarter mile away, quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and check-in is 2 p.m. with noon checkout. TPWD's two pages give different walking distances from parking (25 to 50 yards on one, about 100 yards on another), so plan for a short carry either way.

Which site should you book?

Matching your trip to a site type
If you are…BookWhy
Towing a large RV with two A/C unitsBurr Oak50-amp service at the same $25 price
Tent camping but want a fan or chargingRed Buckeye30-amp power and water at your site
Backpacking-style on a budgetPrimitive walk-in$12 a night, short carry from parking
Camping in summer heat without a tentScreened shelterRoof, screens and a ceiling fan
Visiting in July or January with kidsCabinA/C and heat; only one exists, so book early
Bringing a dogAny campsiteShelters and the cabin do not allow pets

Entrance fees and park passes

Facility fees never include entry. At Brazos Bend the daily entrance fee is $7 for each person 13 and older; kids 12 and under are free, as are school-sponsored groups. Ways to reduce it:

Group and day-use facility fees

TPWD lists a group hall (dining hall) at $150 a day for up to 100 people, with a kitchen, A/C and a $50 refundable cleaning deposit; two pavilions at Elm Lake and Hale Lake at $50 a day for up to 75 people each; and an amphitheater at $20 a day. Book these through the group desk at (512) 389-8920. Entrance fees apply to every guest.

What changing your mind costs

Cancellation penalties depend on the facility type. For campsites and screened shelters, canceling five or more days out costs $10 (or less if you paid less); inside five days it is $10 per night, capped at $50. For the cabin, the figures are $25 and $25 per night capped at $75. A no-show forfeits everything except entrance fees. Full rules are in our Brazos Bend reservation guide.

Once you have picked a site, read the alligator safety rules and plan your days with our guide to trails, fishing and the George Observatory.

Keep reading

Sources

Official and primary sources consulted for this page (checked November 3, 2026). Prices and rules can change, so confirm on the official pages before you book.