Kelly's Pond Campground
Closed due to severe flooding damage. The closure order expires June 1, 2026, at which point the campground is expected to reopen. Camping is free; trail use costs $5 per person per day.
Flood Watch issued August 31 at 4:21PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...A portion of southeast Texas, including the following areas, Bolivar Peninsula, Chambers, Coastal Galveston, Coastal Harris, Galveston Island, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris, Montgomery, Northern Liberty, Polk, San Jacinto and Southern Liberty. * WHEN...From 1 AM CDT Tuesday through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Five are expected to begin as early as late tonight and lasting into late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. 3-5 inches with isolated amounts of 6-9 inches are expected with the highest totals occuring east of I-45. Rainfall rates will exceed 3-4 inches per hour at times in the heaviest downpours, which can lead to flash flooding especially in urban and vulnerable areas. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued August 31 at 4:33PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
HLSHGX This product covers Southeast Texas **Tropical Depression Five to Bring Locally Heavy Rainfall for Portions of Southeast Texas** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers * STORM INFORMATION: - About 210 miles east-southeast of Galveston TX - 28.2N 91.5W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Depression Five is currently about 105 miles south of the Louisiana coast, slowly moving west-northwestward towards the northwestern Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a Tropical Storm within the next 24 hours, before making landfall along the Upper Texas coast, somewhere within the Warning area. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall associated are expected to begin as early as late tonight and lasting into late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. 3-5 inches of rain with isolated amounts of 6-9 inches are expected with the highest totals occuring east of I-45. Rainfall rates will exceed 3-4 inches per hour at times in the heaviest downpours, which can lead to flash flooding especially in urban and vulnerable areas. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts mainly for areas east of I-45. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the rest of Southeast Texas. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers County . Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across Port Bolivar to High Island. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Texas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around , or sooner if conditions warrant.
Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued August 31 at 1:11PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
HLSHGX This product covers Southeast Texas **Tropical Depression Five to Bring Locally Heavy Rainfall for Portions of Southeast Texas** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers * STORM INFORMATION: - About 260 miles east-southeast of Galveston TX - 28.0N 90.8W - Storm Intensity 35 mph - Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 5 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Depression Five is currently about 120 miles south of the Louisiana coast, slowly moving west-northwestward towards the northwestern Gulf Coast. It is expected to become a Tropical Storm within the next 24 hours or so, before making landfall along the Upper Texas coast, somewhere within the Warning area. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall associated are expected to begin as early as late tonight and lasting into late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. 3-5 inches of rain with isolated amounts of 6-9 inches are expected with the highest totals occuring east of I-45. Rainfall rates will exceed 3-4 inches per hour at times in the heaviest downpours, which can lead to flash flooding especially in urban and vulnerable areas. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant impacts across mainly for areas east of I-45. Potential impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures. Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across across the rest of Southeast Texas.. * WIND: Protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Bolivar Peninsula and Chambers County. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across Port Bolivar to High Island. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across Southeast Texas, little to no impact is anticipated. * TORNADOES: Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across Southeast Texas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around , or sooner if conditions warrant.
About
Kelly's Pond Campground is a primitive tent camping area at the end of Forest Service Road 271 in Sam Houston National Forest. The campground features eight walk-in campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post. Campers must park in the adjacent parking area and walk to their sites. The area is rustic with vault restrooms but no potable water or electricity. The campground primarily serves as a trailhead for the Sam Houston Multi-Use Trail system, making it a popular staging area for off-highway vehicles, equestrians, and mountain bikers. The nearby Lone Star Hiking Trail also provides opportunities for backcountry hiking. While camping is free, a $5 per person per day fee applies for trail use. Due to its primitive nature and walk-in access, Kelly's Pond is best suited for tent campers seeking a quiet base for trail activities rather than those looking for developed amenities.
Directions
From New Waverly, follow FM 1375 west approximately 11 miles. Turn south on Forest Service Road 204 for 1 mile, then turn west on Forest Service Road 271 for 1.5 miles to the campground at the end of the road.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (936) 344-6205 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
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