Lake Somerville State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lake Somerville State Park spans 8,700 acres in Burleson and Lee Counties in eastern Texas. The area was home to the Caddo tribe in the 16th century and for several hundred years following. The 11,630-acre lake, which is the focal point of the state park, was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impounded water in 1967. Lake Somerville State Park is adjacent to the Somerville Public Hunting Land and the Somerville Trailway, and it includes the Birch Creek Unit and the Nails Creek Unit.
Nearby Cities
Caldwell, TX
Brenham, TX
Somerville, TX
Burton, TX
Spring 51-86 F
Summer 73-96 F
Fall 49-91 F
Winter 41-72 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Somerville State Park
Campground Accommodations
Old Hickory Camping Area (Birch Creek Unit)
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70 feet
Other amenities: Fire ring, grill, picnic table, restrooms, showers, dump station, water spigot
Post Oak Camping Area (Birch Creek Unit)
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 70 feet
Other amenities: Fire ring, grill, picnic table, restrooms, showers, family fishing pond, dump station, water spigot
Yaupon Camping Area (Birch Creek Unit)
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 73 feet
Other amenities: Fire ring, grill, picnic table, restrooms, showers, dump station, water spigot
Bent Tree Camping Area (Nails Creek Unit)
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 72 feet
Other amenities: Fire ring, grill, picnic table, restrooms, showers, lantern post, equestrian facilities, dump station
Cedar Creek Camping Area (Nails Creek Unit)
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 80 feet
Other amenities: Fire ring, grill, picnic table, restrooms, showers, lantern post, family fishing pond
Lake Somerville Campground
A variety of camping choices are available at Lake Somerville Campground, including an equestrian campground, primitive camping and sites with hookups. Rates start at $12 per night with weekly rates available from December to February.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Group hall, restroom with showers, picnic tables
Artesian Park RV Campground
Hike along the walking trail, play with your dog in the pet area or do laundry at the laundry facility at Artesian Park RV Campground. Volleyball, pingpong, basketball, croquet and horseshoes are a few of the recreational activities available at this campground that has a fishing pier.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Recreation hall, walking trail, fishing pier
Round Top RV Park
Since 1989, campers have been enjoying festivities held at Round Top RV Park, including fall and spring antique fairs, wine festivals and winter celebrations. Nightly rates start at $60 with weekly rates available.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Special events
Bastrop / SE Austin / Colorado River KOA
Play in the pool, fish in the lake or take a scenic walk at Bastrop / SE Austin / Colorado River KOA. Rates start at $35 a night at this campground that offers monthly and long-term stays.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Planned activities, pool
What to Do at
Lake Somerville State Park
Lake Somerville State Park is a popular destination for outdoor adventures and relaxation throughout the year. From its 40-mile trail system to 85 miles of shoreline and numerous amenities, there are ample opportunities for all visitors to have the outdoor experience that they desire.
Hunting, fishing, nature watching, boating and equestrian activities are only some of the many activities you can enjoy in the park.
Inside Lake Somerville State Park
Many people come to this state park to fish for bass, bluegill and catfish in the 11,456-acre lake. This lake has been known to yield over 13-pound largemouth bass, 24-pound smallmouth bass and 50-pound flathead-channel catfish. There are boat ramps at Nails Creek and Birch Creek, and you can rent canoes at either unit or bring your motorized or non-motorized boat with you. You can hike on over 40 miles of trails, including the Lake Somerville Trailway, where the wildflowers are particularly beautiful during the spring. Many visitors bring their horses or mountain bikes to ride while enjoying the trails. You can also go deer or small-game hunting in parts of this park.
Fishing
Fishing is possible from the pier, the lake's shore and two inland fishing ponds in the Birch Creek Unit. The Nails Creek Unit also has shoreline access and an inland fishing pond, and both units have a boat launch. A fishing license is not needed to fish from shore, but a state license is required to fish from a boat.
Geocaching
For visitors who enjoy the thrill of hunting for treasure, several caches are located in various areas of the park in both units. The GPS coordinates for these caches are available via smartphone on the geocaching app.
Nature Watching
Some of the animals that you could spot at Lake Somerville State Park are armadillos, racerunners, alligators, raccoons, otters, bobcats, deer, coyotes and others. Birding enthusiasts may enjoy scanning the landscape for cranes, herons, egrets, pelicans, ducks, bald eagles and several more species.
Hiking
There are nine main trails in Lake Somerville State Park. The only trail rated as challenging is the 13.4-mile Lake Somerville Trailway. Easy trails are Honeybee Hill Trail and Flag Pond Loop. Routes that are rated as moderate include Sandy Slough Trail, Gerdes Spur, Alligator Loop, Cedar Creek Loop, Sunset Trail and Wilderness Run.
Boating
Lake Somerville is popular for both motorized and non-motorized boating, including canoeing and kayaking. Large parking lots are close to the boat launches in both units.
Swimming
While the park's two main units do not have designated swimming areas, many visitors enjoy cooling off on warm days via the many lake access points throughout the park. These access points are found along waterfront trails, picnic areas and parking lots.
Biking
Mountain biking is permitted on designated trails throughout the park in both units. These trails are also popular for hiking and equestrian use, so mountain bikers should remain vigilant as they ride.
How to Get to
Lake Somerville State Park
The Birch Creek Unit is in the northeastern area of the park and across the lake from the Nails Creek Unit. The distance by land between these units is roughly 13 miles. You can access the Birch Creek Unit from Highway 36. On this highway, turn west on Route 60 in the small town of Lyons. Then turn left on Park Road 357, which leads you directly to the park's northern entrance. You can access the Nails Creek Unit from Highway 290 via Route 2780 in Burton. From this road, turn right on FM 180. This road takes you to the park's southern entrance.
Entering Lake Somerville State Park
The daily entrance fee for those who are 13 years old and older is $5. Entry is free for younger visitors. Numerous parking areas are located in both units, including by the park offices, the boat ramps, the dump stations and the picnic areas.
Lake Somerville State Park Per Person : $5.0
Under 12 free
Lake Somerville State Park is an exciting place to visit. If you have spent time here, tell everyone about your experiences on your social media account and tag RVshare in your photos. You can also send your stories and photos to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Somerville State Park
With a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities offered at Lake Somerville State Park, this is a year-round destination. However, activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping and others may be most enjoyed when the weather is mild in the spring and fall months.
Some of the birds that are native to the parklands are bald eagles, ducks, pelicans, egrets and cranes. Other animals that call the area home are coyotes, white-tailed deer, bobcats, armadillos, otters, alligators and raccoons.
Except for the designated equestrian campsites, all camping areas at Lake Somerville State Park are suitable for both tent and RV camping. The max RV length varies by camp area.
Reservations are recommended but not required at Lake Somerville State Park. They may be made over the phone or via the Texas State Parks Online Reservations portal. The nightly rate is $20, and the daily entrance fee is also required for each visitor.
Pets are permitted in designated areas throughout the park. They must be attended to at all times, and they are not allowed in park buildings.