Thousand Trails Colorado River
Gem camp
Incredible infra. Clean bathroom Nice trails
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit and Stephen F. Austin State Park house premium glamping accommodations within a short drive from Brenham, offering a blend of outdoor adventure and modern comfort. These sites feature yurts and upscale canvas tents with real beds, electricity, and climate control systems that make wilderness stays accessible year-round. "We loved our campsite. We were lucky to get one that already had a shelter over the table. There was plenty of room between campsites, we couldn't even see our neighbors," noted one visitor about the Birch Creek Unit. Both locations provide amenities uncommon in traditional camping, including hot showers, picnic areas, and some sites with private decks overlooking Lake Somerville or the Colorado River. The glamping units maintain privacy with substantial green space between accommodations, creating a sense of seclusion despite being in established parks.
Trail systems surrounding the glamping locations connect guests to scenic lakefront views and wildlife observation opportunities. Red Oak Ranch elevates the glamping experience with luxury yurts and proximity to wineries and local farms in the region. A recent visitor mentioned, "The lake is fairly warm, large amount of bass, huge gar, croppy, and catfish. When the water is right you can take a flat bottom boat up to any of the creeks." Birdwatching excels at these locations with numerous shore birds, egrets, herons, and songbirds frequently spotted. The Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Waller combines family-friendly glamping with organized activities, while Oak Thicket Park offers waterfront glamping sites with exceptional fishing access. Several glamping locations provide equipment rentals for kayaking and fishing, with some offering guided experiences for first-time visitors. Most glamping sites remain open year-round with seasonal pricing variations.
"I’m reviewing the hike in site on the Lake Somerville trail way, entering at the Birch Creek Unit (northern side of the lake). It’s around a three mile hike to the campground area."
"Water
• 20/30 amp(had 50 amp outlet, but only 20& 30 breakers)
• Grill
• Fire Ring with adjustable height grate
• Picnic Table
• Site Pad: asphalt."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $300 / night
"We had a really nice relaxing stay at Stephen F Austin State Park near San Filepe, Texas. Great little state park easily accessed from I-10."
"Sites are well equipped with water, a fire pit with grill grate, picnic table, and pole to hang food if necessary. Bathrooms and dumpster area are clean and well lit."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $200 / night
"The staff is very kind. Upon leaving we could not believe the piles of garbage left….and there are plenty of dumpsters! Definitely worth visiting, though."
"I happened upon this place as I was driving from Austin to Houston on the 290. Great place to stop if you are tired or just don’t want to drive anymore."
"The staff was super friendly, and everything felt clean and well-maintained. We stayed in one of the cabins and it was super cozy and convenient."
"We have been to this park twice now, once at a tent site and once at a Yogi on the Lake cabin. Both during Halloween time a year apart. What a FUN place to be!!"
"Starlink is pretty quick here and T-Mobile is smoking fast. Management is kind, courteous, and quick to fix any issues. It’s a hidden gem of Texas to be sure."
"We were close to the river."
"Nice and secluded on a lake. Clean, quiet, and not crowded. Great fishing lake!"
"After walking around and viewing the other sites, we feel this is the best site around. Lots of trees great space plenty of room for multiple families. It’s not waterfront but it is extremely close."
"Very nice RV Campground with large dog park, laundry, and cleaned showers and toilets. Easy drive to see the Johnson Space Center."
"They were very accommodating when I called and gave us an easy spot up front because we were arriving after 8pm. Level spot, no fuss. Quiet night. Only downside were the mosquitos. Bring repellant!"
"Very well maintained, clean, nice big spaces and good distance between you and your neighbor. Friendly and helpful owners."
"Laundry was open 24/7. Good CATV, not so good wifi, AT&T was good."
from $45 - $600 / night
"Well groomed tent camping around a large pond with showers and toilets just a short walk away. Firewood and ice are complimentary! Great trails for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers."
from $15 - $20 / night
Incredible infra. Clean bathroom Nice trails
Had booked 8 days to visit with a friend and meet up with my daughter. What a nightmare!! I had called ahead of time to see if they had showers, as I did not see one on the map. The person that answered and assured me that they had showers. I have a self contained, but it was an extra $15/night for water in addition to electric. Anyways, they ONLY have one outside 'rinsing' shower, at the restaurant... There was about 1000 people there, the day I arrived. It was opening day, and it is a college town. The issue is that there was no patrol of the grounds and things were pretty wild. The management even admitted that "we were taken by surprise"... well, from all the people I talked to, this is the norm for opening weekend. People were parked in the camping area and it made it difficult to get into my site. The bathrooms were DISGUSTING! I only ended up staying 4 days and the bathrooms STILL had dirty toilet paper littering them... same paper... I complained about them. I saw what appeared to be the manager go check out the bathrooms, then the park host; not long after I lodged my complaint.. but 3 more days, and the bathrooms had not been touched. The garbage had not been emptied... people there with dogs not on leashes, pooping and not being cleaned up. They have no-one patrolling the grounds. Quiet time is from 10pm-6am but the restaurant had a VERY loud band playing until midnight... so much for rules and quiet time! The ONLY good thing is that they did allow me to check out and refund my money without having a cancellation fee.
If you are looking for clean, family friendly and quiet,,, this is NOT the place to go.
This is one of the nicest T.T. we have stayed in Texas. The roads are very nice compared to the many other T.T. throughout the membership stays. They have nice amenities, large pull thru sites and trails
This is a great park to overnight or stay a couple days. It's very quiet. And the hiking trails are well maintained. AT&T coverage is weak.
This park is only about a block off of Route 10 near Houston. Great place to stay if you are just passing through. The pool and hot tub are nice, and the lake is pretty. They've got a pretty severe red ant infestation everywhere, so you can't spend too long standing outside on the gravel or the grass.
This park may be on the smaller side, but it’s full of charm!🌿 The trails are peaceful and great for spotting wildlife, while the shady trees make it perfect for hammocks or picnics. The campsites feel cozy yet spacious, and sprunki, clean, well-kept facilities make the whole experience even more enjoyable. A hidden gem worth visiting!✨
This Jellystone Park is amazing! The water park and themed activities kept the kids thrilled. Our whole family had a blast! Highly recommend!
Ragdoll Archers
The kids absolutely loved the water zone and lazy river—we literally couldn’t get them to leave. The staff was super friendly, and everything felt clean and well-maintained. We stayed in one of the cabins and it was super cozy and convenient. The themed activities and crafts were a huge hit, especially the Halloween fun! We’re already planning our next visit. Highly recommend for families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway close to Houston!
escape
Aside from the fact that the park is very well maintained and there is an abundance of wildlife, you get pull through sites with full hook ups on the cheap! I have a State Parks Pass which makes it even more affordable. While we were there we saw an abundance of deer and bunnies, plus we were able to listen in on a conversation between a very large owl who had taken up residence in one of the trees by our site, and a long distance friend several sites down (judging by the difference in volume).
Add to this the little extras - a separate email from the park staff allowing me to go ahead and have them print my reservation and have it waiting for me - a great feature because we got on after the park office had closed, and you have a great experience. Love it and will be back very soon!!!
Lake Somerville and surrounding areas near Brenham, Texas sit at 250-300 feet elevation with average summer temperatures reaching 96°F and winter lows around 40°F. The region features post oak savanna vegetation interspersed with creek-fed bottomlands. Winter camping remains viable with mild temperatures, though occasional cold fronts can bring brief freezing conditions from December through February.
Fishing year-round: Lake Somerville offers fishing opportunities with multiple species available. "The lake is fairly warm, large amount of bass, huge gar, croppy, and catfish. When the water is right you can take a flat bottom boat up to any of the creeks," noted a visitor to Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit. During summer months, early morning or evening fishing yields best results.
Hiking trail options: The trail systems range from short loops to more extensive networks. "Lots of shaded coverage, amazing trails, amazing views," mentions a camper at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit. Several trails connect between camping areas and key viewpoints, with distances typically between 0.5-3 miles.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times. At Thousand Trails Colorado River, "Quiet and lots of wildlife. Decent sized spots. Very quiet. Trails to walk and lots of deer," reports a visitor. Bring binoculars for spotting birds and mammals in meadow areas.
Private camping sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites. "We loved our campsite. There was plenty of room between campsites, we couldn't even see our neighbors," noted one Lake Somerville visitor. Sites at the outer loops typically provide more privacy than interior locations.
Water recreation access: Multiple access points for water activities exist. At Oak Thicket Park, "We enjoyed the hike and bike trail and the swimming hole," writes a camper. The lake water stays relatively warm year-round due to the nearby power plant, making swimming possible even in cooler months.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campground infrastructure matters to visitors. At Stephen F. Austin State Park, "The facilities were old, but very well taken care of and clean! Very few bathrooms and showers, so if you are going during peak season be aware you could be waiting in line." Most campgrounds offer shower facilities, though availability varies seasonally.
Seasonal weather impacts: Summer heat can be intense, with limited shade at some sites. "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep. Deer all over and saw a 6 point buck. Very dark with no lighting. We arrived around midnight and was a little difficult finding our spot," notes a Stephen F. Austin State Park visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see various wildlife species during your stay. "We have been to this park twice... The lake views are beautiful. All the campsites appear to be very well kept. My husband went fishing for a bit. He didn't catch anything, but he witnessed another gentleman catch a 20" fish," reports a Birch Creek Unit camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Brenham, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Brenham, TX is Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Brenham, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Brenham, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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