Lake Somerville region offers several camping options ranging from state parks to Army Corps of Engineers facilities within a 30-mile radius of Brenham, Texas. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling Post Oak Savannah landscape with elevations between 200-350 feet above sea level. Sites at most campgrounds maintain consistent spacing with crushed granite or asphalt pads that can accommodate various camping setups.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: Lake Somerville offers protected areas ideal for paddling, particularly during weekday visits when boat traffic is minimal. At Rocky Creek, one visitor noted, "Beautiful lake view, well-maintained grounds, good shade trees, gorgeous sunsets, very quiet at night, cute and clean little beach/swim area to hang out in."
Wildlife viewing trails: Multiple trail systems connect parts of the lake, with varying accessibility depending on recent weather conditions. A visitor to Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit shared, "We stayed in campsite 28, which is a great space...unless it's windy. The lake views are beautiful. All the campsites appear to be very well kept."
Fishing from accessible shorelines: Several designated areas allow for bank fishing without needing a boat. One camper at Yegua Creek mentioned, "Beautiful lake for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Only drawback is the bathroom can be cleaner and provide sink for washing."
What campers like
Wooded sites with natural barriers: Many campgrounds feature sites with vegetation creating natural privacy screens. At Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit, a visitor commented, "The campsites are not very large, but it's ok because the sites are separated from each other which is nice. Some sites even have corrals for horses!"
Stargazing opportunities: The relative distance from major cities creates good night sky viewing conditions. One camper at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit reported, "Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars."
Wildlife encounters: The abundance of deer throughout the camping areas provides reliable viewing opportunities. A camper at Stephen F. Austin State Park noted, "Deer all over and saw a 6 point buck. Very dark with no lighting."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding impacts: Several campgrounds show evidence of previous flood damage that affects trail and facility conditions. According to one visitor at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit, "Sommerville has been wrought with flooding and hogs...both running a 'could be' beautiful landscape. Many of the rails were unusable and those available were ruined with hog wallers."
Variable bathroom cleanliness: Facilities range from recently updated to basic depending on location. A camper at Overlook reported, "Camp sites are spaced out nicely, the lake is beautiful. The campsites are clean. The restrooms are not clean."
Gate closure times: Many campgrounds enforce strict entry/exit policies overnight. At Rocky Creek, a visitor noted, "Gates closed and locked from 10p to 6p - can get out, but not back in."
Tips for camping with families
Shaded play areas: Look for sites with adequate tree coverage during summer months when temperatures consistently reach 90°F. A visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park shared, "I took a trip here with my husband, our son (3yo), my sister-in-law, her husband, their daughter(1yo), and a total of 4 dogs! We had an absolute blast!"
Short hiking options: Several campgrounds offer trails under one mile that work well for young hikers. According to one camper, "The trails were beautiful and easy to get through (marked well) with all of us and the staff was helpful and kind enough to let us know which ones were closed."
Swimming accessibility: Not all shoreline areas are suitable for water entry. A visitor to Welch Park observed, "Gorgeous setting, but very crowded. People pull up for the day with no qualms about being in your campsite. It's noisy."
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: Many sites require minimal adjustment for stabilization. A camper at Rocky Creek explained, "Site Pad: Level, crushed granite. Slopes up at the roadside."
Hookup quality: Electric and water connections vary by campground age and maintenance. One RVer noted, "Electric Hookup: Yes, 20/30/50 amp - pedestal looks pretty new."
Low clearance areas: Watch for tree limbs at entrances and along interior roads. A visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park warned, "Low tree branches just after the gate. Scratched the sides of our rig (full body paint)."
