Lake Somerville State Park sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level and covers over 5,200 acres near Brenham, Texas. The reservoir itself spans 11,460 acres with 85 miles of shoreline. Camping temperatures range from winter lows around 40°F to summer highs reaching 95°F, with fall and spring offering the most comfortable overnight conditions.
What to do
**Fishing spots: Lake Somerville offers multiple access points for fishing with different difficulty levels. At Rocky Creek Campground, one visitor noted, "We saw lots of people tent camping. The campsite was level, which made setup easy, and the park offers great amenities like a dump station, a small hiking trail, fishing spots, and places to swim."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground has abundant wildlife viewing within the camping areas. As one camper reported, "Deer all over and saw a 6 point buck. Very dark with no lighting. Fire pit and plenty of room."
Kayaking on calm waters: Big Creek Resort provides direct lake access for paddlers. According to a review, "Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation. Good amount of wildlife."
Trail exploration: Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit features multiple trail options of varying lengths. A visitor explained, "Lots of shaded coverage, amazing trails, amazing views," with another adding that trails are "numerous, but not well marked."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Rocky Creek Campground offers generously spaced campsites. A reviewer mentioned, "Sites are long and most are wide. Fairly level Granite gravel sites, with grassy areas between sites."
Lake views: Yegua Creek Campground provides excellent water vistas. One camper shared, "Wide view of the lake as it curves around the campground. Shade, but open areas so breeze can come through."
Family swimming areas: Overlook Park features designated swimming spots near camping areas. A visitor noted, "Close to water (walking distance) for swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, etc. By the campsite (not the marine side) there is a small inlet of the lake that is great for swimming."
Night sky viewing: Yegua Creek Campground offers excellent stargazing opportunities when weather permits. A reviewer reported, "Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars."
What you should know
Access restrictions: Most campgrounds enforce gate closures at night. At Rocky Creek Campground, "Gates closed and locked from 10p to 6p - can get out, but not back in."
Shower and bathroom conditions: Facilities vary significantly between parks. At Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit, one camper noted, "Restrooms/ Showers- clean. The Bent Tree area has a portable trailer for the restrooms and showers. The main building is closed."
Flooding history: Several campgrounds experience periodic flooding. One visitor at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit reported, "Trails are numerous, but not well marked. We didn't see a lot of hog damage on the trails, so maybe the staff has been working on that."
Wildlife encounters: Expect to share camping areas with local animals. At Yegua Creek Campground, a camper observed wildlife including "Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets" and "quite a few deer."
Tips for camping with families
Best spots for shade: Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit offers heavily wooded sites. A family camper noted, "This was our first time here at lake Somerville birch creek. It was a great one. We stayed in old hickory loop. Lots of trees and plenty of shade."
Kid-friendly activities: Stephen F. Austin State Park provides trails suitable for children. A parent shared, "We did see Park Police drive thru the FHU loop very frequently," adding "Nice trails but very busy on weekends as Houstonians escape the city for some country fun!"
Swimming safety: Check water conditions before swimming as levels fluctuate. At Overlook Park, a reviewer warned that "Other parts are too deep, but are perfect for taking a boat out and fishing!"
Campsite planning: Book sites away from boat ramps for quieter family stays. A visitor advised, "Split-level site - table is down a slight hill from parking area. No shade."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustment. At Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit, one RVer noted, "The sites have nice paved spots, many have views of the lake, and are spacious."
Tree clearance: Watch for low branches when navigating campgrounds. A Rocky Creek visitor warned, "Low tree branches just after the gate. Scratched the sides of our rig (full body paint). Some lower tree branches on corners. Use caution with a rig greater than 12' high around corners."
Utility placement: Hook-up locations vary between sites. One camper at Yegua Creek Campground mentioned, "The table and fire ring are on the non-camping side so it was a little strange. Very dark at night on that side."
Dump station access: Plan your departure route carefully. A Big Creek Marina visitor advised, "Dump Station - a little hard to get to for big rigs. Also hard to leave the park from there. You may have to go back into the park to turn around."
