Lake Livingston and the surrounding area near Crockett, Texas offer diverse glamping experiences beyond the typical campground setup. Located in the Texas Piney Woods region with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level, this area maintains mild winters with occasional freezes and hot, humid summers. The terrain features dense pine forests surrounding the 90,000-acre Lake Livingston, Texas' second-largest reservoir entirely within state borders.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Livingston supports multiple fish species accessible from campground shorelines. "We visited last year and really enjoyed the waterfront spaces," notes one camper at Bethy Creek Resort.
Train watching: The historic Texas State Railroad runs through some camping areas. "The texas state RR train engine car came through one time in the afternoon to turn around to pull the train back to palestine...that's pretty unique and a cool thing at a campsite," reports a visitor at Rusk Depot Campground.
Water recreation: Multiple campsites provide direct lake access for boating and swimming. "Had a blast here! Very kid friendly despite the playground being closed, the people who helped us were all very friendly. Water is shallow but once you get out of the little cove that the boat ramp is in, it's smooth sailing," shares a camper from Wolf Creek Park.
What campers like
Well-maintained sites: Campers appreciate the level, spacious camping areas at premium locations. "Wolf Creek Park is well maintained with many nice shady campsites. Sites have water and electricity and some have sewer hookups. There's a central dump station available as well," notes a visitor.
Privacy between sites: Adequate space between camping spots allows for a more private experience. "Nice spacing between lots. The owners are great," mentions a review for Bethy Creek Resort.
Seasonal crowd levels: Off-season provides quieter glamping opportunities. "This time of year, (Thanksgiving Week) Very quiet!" reports a camper at Bethy Creek Resort, while another notes, "We came back for Labor Day and it wasn't too crowded!"
What you should know
Camping surface conditions: Some sites require advance preparation. At Wolf Creek Park, "Even the smallest site had plenty of room for a family to enjoy the outdoors without feeling cramped."
Site selection timing: Premium waterfront locations fill quickly during peak seasons. "Hidden gem of campground with very large sites, good distance between them and right on Lake Livingston," notes a Wolf Creek Park visitor.
Maintenance varies by property: Some campgrounds require improvements. "This is an X-Texas State Park that really needs some overdue TLC," reports a visitor at Rusk Depot Campground, while another states, "it is not the most maintained campground, but it is a small loop with pull-in sites w/ full hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas for children: Safe, shallow water access points exist at certain locations. At Marina Village Resort, "It has 3 pools a golf course a marina with store, pavilion, bath houses and restrooms, a kids pavilion as well."
Recreation beyond water activities: Some glamping sites offer additional family entertainment. "Spent holiday weekend with the family. Bicycling, Swimming, Fishing, putt putt golf. The kids loved the park and the golf," shares a camper at Wolf Creek Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Certain locations focus on family experiences. At Rusk KOA, "Super nice staff and full saturday breakfast (eggs/bacon/pancakes/coffee etc--extra fee, but very reasonable!) Pool, jump pad, playground, trike rentals, Rock/gem mining slough, movies/events, etc."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most glamping options near Crockett provide full utility connections. "Love going to bethy creek resort!!! Everyone there is so accommodating happy and helpful. Bethy creek is the only place to camp Rv rent a boat and millions of other things to do. Good clean bathrooms excellent showers excellent store with pretty much everything you need while you stay there."
Site sizes: RV length restrictions apply at some locations. "Limited sites for RVs longer than 30 feet. Most sites were designed for 20 feet or smaller," notes a camper at Rusk Depot Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts camping quality throughout the year. "Sites are level pull-through sites and most have a clear view of the playground, which gives the kids a sense of freedom," shares a Rusk KOA visitor who camps there during multiple seasons.
