Lake Somerville offers camping opportunities in a region that averages 42 inches of rainfall annually and sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds near Burton, Texas cluster around Lake Somerville, a 11,456-acre reservoir with 85 miles of shoreline that experiences significant water level fluctuations between seasons. Water levels can drop substantially during summer drought periods, affecting boat ramp access at certain campgrounds.
What to do
Kayaking on calm waters: Lake Somerville provides excellent paddling opportunities with limited motorized boat traffic on weekdays. At Birch Creek Unit, visitors enjoy water access directly from the park. "There's a good size lake with access to it from the park itself. Nice clean park as most state parks in Texas are," notes Red S.
Hiking through varied terrain: The trail system connects multiple park units with varying difficulty levels, though trail conditions can be affected by seasonal flooding. "Trails were great! We went on several long hikes. Lake was great...but pretty chilly most of the time we were there," shares Elijah A. from Birch Creek Unit.
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Multiple campgrounds report consistent deer sightings, particularly in early morning and evening hours. At Rocky Creek, "Tons of deer wandering around every evening," according to Lori C., who appreciated the well-maintained trails alongside miles of accessible shoreline.
Stargazing during clear nights: Lake Somerville's distance from major cities creates opportunities for night sky viewing, particularly during new moon phases. "Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars," reports Denise V. who stayed at Nails Creek Unit.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront campsites: Lake Somerville Marina and Campground offers lakeside camping with natural privacy barriers. "We stayed in a wooded area that provided natural fencing between us and other campers. It was nice to have the access to water, and bathrooms were clean," explains Nikki S.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the distance between sites at Rocky Creek. "RV sites are level with plenty of spacing, lots of people tent camping. Sites have water and electric and there is a dump station. Sites are long with good separation between neighbors," notes Lori C.
Diverse camping options: Different campgrounds accommodate various preferences from primitive to developed sites. "We stayed at site 77 and I really liked the privacy of most campsites. This spot had easy access to the bathrooms and to the trail to the lake," shares Caitlin H. about Birch Creek Unit.
Level camping pads: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained, level sites that simplify setup. "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," explains Tijana & Andrew C. about their stay at Rocky Creek.
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels vary significantly throughout the year, affecting shoreline access. "The lake is very very low," reported Stacy R. during her visit to Rocky Creek, while other reviews mention flooding impacts on facilities.
Campground recovery status: Some facilities continue rebuilding from previous flood damage. "Well, the only thing I think that they could improve would be the pads where you park your trailer on. Some of them need to be redone," explains Red S. about Birch Creek Unit.
Bathroom cleanliness varies: Restroom conditions differ between campgrounds and seasons. At Welch Park, one camper noted, "The staff is very kind. Upon leaving we could not believe the piles of garbage left….and there are plenty of dumpsters!"
Cell service details: Connectivity varies by provider and location around the lake. "I have T-Mobile cell service and it fluctuates between 4G and 5G. I'm able to use the internet send and receive text messages and call out and receive calls," shares Red S. from Birch Creek Unit.
Tips for camping with families
Equestrian camping as an option: Nails Creek Unit offers sites with horse corrals that non-equestrian campers can use during lower occupancy periods. "We stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long," reports Ty C. R.
Swimming accessibility: Some areas provide better swimming access for children than others. "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! The best part is the proximity to the lake," explains Ashley C. about Nails Creek Unit.
Store proximity for supplies: Plan ahead for basic needs as some locations have limited access to supplies. "The closest gas station is 10 miles. There is a Dollar General store for basic stuff. If you need something, that's about 5 miles," notes Red S. about the area around Birch Creek Unit.
Check gate closure times: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds lock entrance gates overnight. "Gates closed and locked from 10p to 6a (can get out, but not back in)," cautions Denise V. regarding Yegua Creek campground.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: At Big Creek Resort, "Dump Station is 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," warns Denise V., highlighting a consideration for larger RVs.
Power options: Most developed sites offer 30-50 amp service, but confirm specific site capabilities before booking. "20/30/50 amp electric, pedestal looks pretty new," notes Denise V. about Rocky Creek.
Site dimensions for large rigs: While many campgrounds accommodate larger RVs, some sites have specific limitations. "Sites are long with room for my camper and truck with room to spare," shares Denise V. about camping at Nails Creek Unit.
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat significantly impacts comfort for RV campers without adequate shade or cooling capacity. "In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, it's July in Texas!" observed Jeff from Birch Creek Unit.
