Glamping near Cedar Creek, Texas features year-round access to lake activities and oak-lined trails within a 35-50 mile radius of Houston. Sites typically experience mild winters with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s°F and hot summers often exceeding 90°F. Mosquitoes become prevalent during summer months, particularly in the densely wooded camping areas with proximity to lakes and the Colorado River.
What to do
Water activities at Lake Somerville State Park: Full access to swimming areas, boat launches, and fishing opportunities. "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 one visitor at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground.
Fishing spots for all skill levels: Stock ponds and river access provide varied fishing environments. At Thousand Trails Colorado River, campers appreciate being "Right on the Colorado river plus two ponds to fish in. Lots of places to walk or ride your bikes."
Seasonal hiking opportunities: Trail conditions vary throughout the year with some closures after flooding events. According to a visitor at Lake Somerville: "The trail system is apparently expansive, but had been closed while were there due to some flooding. We did explore the Wilderness Run and Sunset trails, both of which we enjoyed."
Wildlife viewing excursions: Early morning and dusk offer prime viewing times for local wildlife. One camper noted, "Very quiet and peaceful camp... We're really enjoying our stay," while another mentioned seeing "deer everywhere" throughout their stay.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer wooded separation between camping spaces. A reviewer at Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground appreciated that "Good spacing between most sites, but no privacy from neighbor sites. The site required leveling side-to-side. Quiet campsite. No highway noise. Train whistle in distant."
Upgraded bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds have recently renovated shower buildings. "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," notes one Stephen F. Austin State Park camper.
Relative quiet on weekdays: Visitors report significantly reduced crowds Monday through Thursday. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe observed, "Good family place, weekdays are fairly quiet, weekends are very busy."
Family-oriented activities: Organized recreational options at various facilities. "We camped during the week and it wasn't very crowded. Plenty to do for our little ones. Huge play ground closed for COVID but other things open we're splash pad, water slides, pool, lazy river, fishing, golf cart rental and more," mentioned a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding impacts: Trails and facilities may close temporarily after heavy rains. One camper at Red Oak Ranch mentioned they were "Great place to stop if you are tired or just don't want to drive anymore. Beautiful scenery and you can have events here which is kind of cool."
Insects vary by season: Mosquitoes peak in summer, while fire ants remain year-round. "Beware of fire ants. Woke up to a beautiful fog in morning," warns a Stephen F. Austin State Park visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage guidelines help minimize unwanted animal encounters. "Saw lots of deer that came fairly close to us. Nice trails but very busy on weekends as Houstonians escape the city for some country fun!" notes one camper.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly between providers across the camping area. "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," reported a Lake Somerville visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Weekday reservations recommended: Significantly reduced crowds and better site selection Monday-Thursday. A visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park recalled, "My husband and I got there first and the park ranger said we were the first to check in, so we could choose the site we wanted."
Consider cabin options for first-timers: Glamping accommodations provide comfort for those new to outdoor experiences. At Welch Park Somerville Lake, visitors appreciate the "Gorgeous setting," though one notes it can get "very crowded. People pull up for the day with no qualms about being in your campsite."
Scout bathroom proximity: Families with small children should prioritize sites near facilities. "We wanted a site fairly close to the bathrooms because of the kiddos, one big enough to fit us all, and also one with a lot of shade because it was hella hot!" advises a Stephen F. Austin camper.
Plan for temperature extremes: Summer heat requires extra hydration and shade consideration. "We chose site 72 and it worked really well. Just be aware if your going with a group, the big sites do not have much shade," warns a family camper at Stephen F. Austin State Park.
Tips from RVers
Reserve pull-through sites early: Limited availability for larger rigs, especially at state parks. A reviewer at Stephen F. Austin State Park appreciates the "Full hookup pull through sites at a State Park! 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!"
Check for road construction: Interstate 10 projects can impact access routes. "Due to Interstate 10 construction, the eastbound exit for San Felipe is closed so the navigation system took us further East and then backtracked on some horrible condition rural roads," warns an RVer.
Monitor site leveling requirements: Many sites require significant adjustment before setup. "The site required leveling side-to-side. Quiet campsite," notes a Stephen F. Austin State Park camper.
Verify hookup types: Some campgrounds advertise full hookups but provide only partial services. "Was a bit disappointed as when booking through TT website, it said full hook ups when we arrived, only Water and Electric were available," notes a Thousand Trails Colorado River camper.
