The best camping in Lake Somerville State Park, TX

Located between Austin and Houston, the 11,630-acre Lake Somerville is a hot spot for water activities. Visitors can access the lake for swimming, paddling, boating, and fishing from Birch Creek unit and Nails Creek unit, connected by the 13-mile Lake Somerville Trailway. The Somerville Public Hunting Land forms the fourth unit of the park. More than 40 miles of mixed-used hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails surround nearly 150 campsites, including hike-in, primitive camping sites, group camping sites, tent camping sites, RV sites with 30-amp or 50-amp and water hookups, and equestrian sites.

• Best for water access: The Cedar Elm camping area at Birch Creek is the closest to the boat ramp and fishing pier, and also offers easy access to the family fishing pond.

• Best for equestrians: Twenty sites in the Bent Tree area of Nails Creek feature horse pens, water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings.

• Best to escape the crowds: There are 18 hike-in sites in the Lake Somerville Trailway that require a three- to 10-mile hike-in.

1. Make plans to reserve a site as soon as you know your dates. Campsites can be reserved up to five months in advance.
2. If your plans are flexible, try to visit during the week, during non-holiday periods, or in winter for a quieter experience.
3. Hikers traveling light can take advantage of the 18 hike-in sites that are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Peak season runs from March to November, and the park is at its busiest from the first weekend of March through the Fourth of July. Spring is known for wildflowers, the seasonal spawning run, and migrating birds. Flag Pond is a wetland habitat for waterfowl in winter, when weekly winter rates are available for campers.

• The two main areas of the park, Birch Creek and Nails Creek, are on different sides of the lake, 13 miles apart.

• Both Birch Creek and Nails Creek rent canoes and kayaks, while Birch Creek also rents horseshoes.
• Bring your binoculars for birdwatching, as more than 200 species have been spotted here.
• Campfires are only permitted inside fire rings. Gathering of firewood is prohibited.
• Fishing licenses are not required if fishing from shore, though they are required if fishing from a boat. Fishing gear loans are available.
• Flag Pond offers excellent wildlife viewing, but during hunting season, hunters are active at the pond until noon.