Camping at Kelly Pond

Kelly Pond Campground in Montgomery, Texas

Located in the multi-use motorized trailhead on Sam Houston National Forest is the primitive camping site called Kelly’s Pond. We were camping at Kelly Pond last weekend and we really liked it there that we wanted to go back next time. Here’s why.

Distance:
It is just about a one-hour drive away north from Houston. It is accessible from New Waverly via the FM 1375 West. For 11 miles, we crossed the bridge over Lake Conroe for some great views. And since this was heading west, the sunset behind the forest and the silhouette was captivating, if not blinding, depending on your timing. We then drove south on FS Road 204 for 1 mile, and west on FS Road 271 for 1.5 miles deeper into the forest.

Along the narrow Forest Service Road, 271 were plenty of different open grass campsites. Campers can park their RV’s and vehicles adjacent to it on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations needed. You can really feel isolated in those spots.

Amenities:
Parking, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern hooks available for tents.
Vault Restrooms/pit toilets. No trash disposal.

The area is very primitive with no potable water or electricity. In case you need to buy water or some other groceries, the nearest town, New Waverly, is about a twenty-minute drive away.

Activities:
RV Parking, Tent Camping, OHV, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, Hunting, Horses, Wildlife Viewing.

Fees:
Self-pay $5 per person, per day for trail use.
It is free – no charge for camping or day use.

Camping at Kelly Pond

Where we camped out at there were no fire rings but we used the existing spot where people have built fires. We set up our tent right next to the pond, down a small hill and it was a lovely spot.

In the evening, we started to see mosquitoes but they quickly disappeared into the forest after we sprayed repellents and started the fire.

Some campers in their RV had been playing loud music, but it was the kind that you like to listen to and sing along also, depending on the mood. When they turned off the music about nine o’clock it was really quiet, except for the crackling of the coals, the sound of burning fire, the chirping of insects, and the sound of the wind swaying the tall pine trees echoing to other parts of the forest. It was a wooded area, of course, but the stars were bright and clear in the skies on that cold night. We were truly one and relaxing with nature.

In the morning, we could hear people going to the trails. But it was the morning song of birds in the trees calling each other that woke me up. What a lovely sweet sound to wake up to!

It was nice to camp next to the pond. I got to enjoy the early fog that hovered above it for a while. Blue sky puffed with white clouds above the trees made a lovely good morning greeting 🙂 It was a wonderful and peaceful experience.

And yes, it was a wonderful place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for a weekend. For those interested in camping!

We drove through the scenic and curvy forest service roads. In the morning we checked the area out up to the Stubblefield Lake Campground.

People hang hammocks. Somebody was taking a walk down the quiet road. And some people getting their kayaks ready to wade through Lake Conroe.

This is the only trail open to Registered Off-Highway Vehicles in the National Forests in Texas.