Sam Houston National Forest surrounds most camping spots near Coldspring, Texas, characterized by sandy soil, pine forests, and temperatures that can reach above 90°F during summer months. The camping season in this region extends beyond the standard March-November period, with many campgrounds remaining open year-round due to the mild winter climate. Water access varies significantly between camping areas, with some offering direct lake frontage while others provide trail access to nearby water bodies.
What to do
Horseback riding and steak dinners: At Lake Livingston State Park Campground, you can arrange guided horseback rides combined with meals. "You can have a horseback ride and steak dinner at the park for a reasonable fee and meet some interesting people. Swim in the lake, hike the trails, and kayak," notes Emily M.
Paddling and water activities: The small, protected lake at Double Lake NF Campground provides safer waters for beginners. "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails," reports Devin P. The lake offers designated drop-off points for small watercraft.
Mountain biking on forest trails: The trail system near Double Lake Recreation Area features well-maintained paths suitable for various skill levels. One visitor mentioned, "This is my favorite place to camp and ride the trails. Smooth and fast are the best way to describe them." The trails connect to the broader Sam Houston National Forest system.
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Wolf Creek Park features sites that offer privacy and shade from the Texas sun. "Hidden gem of campground with very large sites, good distance between them and right on Lake Livingston. This campground has plenty of shaded sites with plenty of space for walking pets, riding bicycles or just fishing," shares Keith H.
Quieter weekday stays: The campgrounds near Coldspring tend to be much less crowded during weekdays. "We spent 3 nights in a full hock up site. It is a beautiful park and was extremely quiet after sunset. The staff and volunteers were very helpful and pleasant," noted Steven B. about his experience at Huntsville State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting provides ample wildlife viewing beyond just the alligators mentioned in the existing description. "We have a lot of great memories at this park, including group hangouts, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The park has a great, huge lawn for a picnic and a game of frisbee. Check yourself for ticks after hiking the trails though. Its a thick forest," advises Amy H.
What you should know
Seasonal insect concerns: Mosquitoes and ticks are common in the piney woods. "The screen shelters here are more like little cabins and are right on the lake. Watch out for the mosquitoes," warns Emily M. about Lake Livingston State Park. Similarly, another camper advises, "Check yourself for ticks after hiking the trails though. Its a thick forest."
Limited cell coverage: Several campgrounds have poor cellular reception, especially T-Mobile. One camper at Rainbow's End RV Park noted, "I will say up front, if you have Tmobile cel phones or hotspots, this is not the RV park for you. We barely had cel phone reception, and our mobile hotspot was all but useless."
Lake bottom conditions: Swimming areas at some lakes have challenging underwater terrain. "Getting in the lake left some to be desired. The bottom has many large rocks, tree stumps and is very mossy. Swimming can be fun but a little dangerous and slippery," explains Rachel W. about Lake Livingston.
Tips for camping with families
Look for gated campgrounds: For added security with children, consider Wolf Creek Park. "They have a guarded gate and cute store in the park. The bathroom/showers are very clean and well kept. Do not worry about the month you decide to go, as there are plenty of trees. Also features a playground and designated swimming area," shares Linda V.
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. "Connected to the park store they had a small educational space for young kids with a functioning beehive. The kids (ages 2-6) loved it," mentions one visitor about Lake Livingston State Park.
Accessible trails for children: On The Lake RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities including shoreline access. "Just a great place to relax, get away and unwind," says Donna D. The campground features an on-site restaurant that serves food appropriate for all ages, making mealtime easier with children.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require additional equipment for proper leveling. "The sites are decent, with gravel driveways and full hookups for both 30 amp and 50 amp. They have an area for dry camping as well. Are not level, so be sure to bring your leveling blocks if your rig doesn't have a leveling system," advises Debbie J.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on size and access requirements. "We weren't loving Piney Shores#52 back-in campsite much due to: Steep drop-off of the concert pad and the narrow roadway making backing in challenging, but not impossible for our 27ft trailer. Any larger rigs might not be able to swing it," shares Napunani about Lake Livingston State Park.
Seasonal variations in utility performance: Summer heat can affect electrical performance. "Power interruptions, albeit short. Very glad we had our power surge protector," notes one RVer about their summer stay, suggesting that power protection equipment is advisable during peak usage months.
