Lake Somerville State Park and surrounding camping destinations near Fayetteville, Texas sit in an area characterized by post oak woodland ecosystems. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-65°F while summer temperatures often exceed 95°F with high humidity. The terrain around Fayetteville features gentle rolling hills with elevations between 300-400 feet above sea level.
What to do
Fishing opportunities year-round: Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground provides excellent fishing access throughout all seasons. The lake maintains warm temperatures that support active fish even during cooler months. One camper noted, "There's a good size lake with access to it from the park itself. Nice clean park as most state parks in Texas are."
Hiking through diverse terrain: The trails at Stephen F. Austin State Park Campground feature flat, shaded paths suitable for all skill levels. "Fun little campground in the river! Great for hikes in the shady trees, or even a bike ride!" according to a visitor who enjoyed the combination of riverside and wooded areas.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer opportunities to observe native Texas wildlife in natural settings. Deer are particularly abundant at Colorado River RV Campground. A visitor shared: "We love it here. Right on the Colorado river plus two ponds to fish in. Lots of places to walk or ride your bikes... Their are also deer everywhere."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Thousand Trails Colorado River features generously sized sites, especially in certain areas. One camper reported, "We had space D25 which is on the outside of the big loop by the river and boat ramp. Lots of space on the door side to the next unit, and nature behind us."
Clean facilities: Oak Thicket Park maintains well-kept camping facilities with reliable bathrooms and showers. A recent visitor shared: "Nice and secluded on a lake. Clean, quiet, and not crowded. Great fishing lake!"
Water recreation access: Multiple options exist for kayaking, swimming, and boating at various locations. "Kayak fishing recommended if you don't have a boat," advised one camper who visited Oak Thicket Park, highlighting the accessible water activities available even without owning watercraft.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat requires preparation with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F. Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at certain campgrounds. "Overall pretty good experience, however the mosquitoes are annoying. We left with so many mosquito bites that it's ridiculous," warned one camper at Colorado River RV Campground.
Renovation status: Bastrop State Park Campground continues recovery from previous wildfires. "It's sad what happened here to the trees in the fire and the lake when the dam burst, but this park is resilient," noted a visitor, emphasizing that while recovery continues, the park remains open and functional.
Reservation timing: Premium sites at popular locations require advance booking, especially for waterfront spots. "We have been here several times, the water stays warm due to the power plant, good fishing and kayaking but wind picks up often. RV spots are nice, there are 2 water front spots that are worth the extra cost," advised a camper about Oak Thicket Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Splashway Campground offers numerous structured activities for children throughout the day. A visitor commented, "My family of five enjoyed our stay at Splashway Campground. We liked that the easy access and closeness to the waterpark as well as the other activities the campground offered."
Campsite selection: Choose sites away from high-traffic areas for a quieter experience with children. "We stayed in site 6. After walking around and viewing the other sites, we feel this is the best site around. Lots of trees great space plenty of room for multiple families," advised a camper at Oak Thicket Park.
Weather preparation: Plan for shade and water activities during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. "Camped here two nights. The facilities are amazing... Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!" cautioned a visitor to Bastrop State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Waller accommodates larger RVs but site quality varies. "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep," noted one RVer about their experience.
Hookup availability: Check hookup types before booking as they vary between campgrounds. "We were close to the river. Was a bit disappointed as when booking through TT website, it said full hook ups when we arrived, only Water and Electric were available," warned a camper at Colorado River RV Campground.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require side-to-side leveling due to terrain. "The site required leveling side-to-side. Quiet campsite. No highway noise. Train whistle in distant," reported a visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park, highlighting both the leveling need and the ambient sound environment.
