Notable Campgrounds
- Best for lake views: Many of the sites in Piney Shores Loop sit right along the shores of the lake, and offer 20-, 30-, and 50-amp hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables.
- Best for tent campers and anglers: Only tents are allowed in the Briar Loop, which is also close to two boat ramps and a fishing pier.
- Best for hikers and bikers: The Yaupon Loop is the furthest away from the lake but close to several trails.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Plan to make a reservation as soon as you know your dates, especially during the peak season. Campsites and screened shelters can be reserved up to five months in advance.
- If your plans are flexible, try to visit during the week, during non-holiday periods, or in winter for fewer crowds.
- If you don’t have a reservation, arrive at the park first thing in the morning to grab any unreserved sites that might be available.
When to Go
Spring, summer, and fall are the peak seasons for the park. Lake swimming is especially popular in summer, when temperatures can reach 100°F. Spring and early summer are the best times to fish for crappie, while bass is best from spring through fall. Visit in spring and fall to see migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, or in winter to spot bald eagles. All campsites require both Friday and Saturday night reservations over weekends.
Know Before You Go
- The park store and marina sell snacks and ice, as well as camping and fishing supplies. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday, offering watercraft rentals on weekends.
- Bring insect repellent. Mosquitos can be an issue here, particularly after it rains.
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching—the park sits along the Central North American Flyway and the Mississippi Flyway.
- The Pineywoods Boardwalk Interpretive Trail, wooden fishing pier, and some picnic, screened shelters, and campsites are wheelchair-accessible.
- Fishing licenses are not required if fishing from shore, though they are required if fishing from a boat.
Lake Livingston State Park
Enjoy easy water play at one of the largest lakes in Texas, just an hour from Houston.
Located in the Piney woods region, this scenic park offers easy access to the 82,400-acre Lake Livingston, with 2.5 miles of shoreline within the park. Besides swimming, paddling, and boating, the lake offers great fishing, particularly for white bass, along with crappie, catfish, and perch. Other attractions include hiking and biking trails, wildlife spotting, bird blinds, an observation tower, frog pond, duck pond, archery, and a wide range of ranger-led activities, including kayaking, fishing, night hikes, geocaching, and crafts workshops. A wide variety of camping options, spanning water-only tent camping sites, RV sites with full hookups, and screened shelters, will suit nearly every type of visitor.
Located in the Piney woods region, this scenic park offers easy access to the 82,400-acre Lake Livingston, with 2.5 miles of shoreline within the park. Besides swimming, paddling, and boating, the lake offers great fishing, particularly for white bass, along with crappie, catfish, and perch. Other attractions include hiking and biking trails, wildlife spotting, bird blinds, an observation tower, frog pond, duck pond, archery, and a wide range of ranger-led activities, including kayaking, fishing, night hikes, geocaching, and crafts workshops. A wide variety of camping options, spanning water-only tent camping sites, RV sites with full hookups, and screened shelters, will suit nearly every type of visitor.
Activities in the park
6 campgrounds in Lake Livingston State Park
Right along the lake on the park’s northern boundary, sites 98 - 147 are scenically located despite the fact that they are slightly more crowded. These sites offer considerably less privacy than some of the other loops but do make up for this short-coming in some ways by the numerous amenities, including water and electricity hookups as well as re Read more...
Aptly named are these campgrounds sheltered in amongst the forested pines, right on the eastern shores of Lake Livingston. Aside from their convenient location, sites 50 - 71 also come with easy access to shower and restroom facilities and also have a dump station. Be sure to be there as the sun goes down, because sunsets on this lake will steal t Read more...
Sandwiched between the beachside Piney Shores and the outer Yaupon Loop campgrounds, sites 38 - 49 are nice and quiet due to their location slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of the lake and the road, although they are just a short stroll away from both. These sites are located near bathroom and shower facilities and also have a dump stat Read more...
The farthest south of Lake Livingston’s campgrounds, these sites are nestled on one of the corner inlets of the lake. Sites 72 - 97 are slightly smaller than some of the other loops, being primarily for tents and pop-up trailers, but still offer access to water and electricity hookups as well as providing bathroom and shower facilities. Be careful Read more...
The farthest removed from the lake of among the three campground conglomeration including Piney Shores and Red Oak loops, Yaupon Loop is located just off the road and is equipped with nearby bathroom and shower facilities as well as a dump station. Great for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, these grounds are contoured by the Oak Flats Nature T Read more...
These sites are so special that they’re designated by letters A - P as opposed to the traditional number system. Apart from the letters, these sites are not actually all that special… but they are located just a short walk from the lake and restroom facilities along with water/electric hookups are close by. Right next to the boat launch, this loop Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Spring, summer, and fall are the peak seasons for the park. Lake swimming is especially popular in summer, when temperatures can reach 100°F. Spring and early summer are the best times to fish for crappie, while bass is best from spring through fall. Visit in spring and fall to see migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, or in winter to spot bald eagles. All campsites require both Friday and Saturday night reservations over weekends.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —