Camping near Giddings, Texas occurs primarily in the post oak savanna ecoregion, characterized by sandy loam soils and scattered oak mottes across gently rolling terrain. Winter temperatures average 45-65°F with summer highs regularly exceeding 95°F between June and September. Most campgrounds maintain year-round operations but implement fire restrictions during drought conditions common in late summer.
What to do
Biking trails access: Bluff Creek Ranch offers extensive mountain biking opportunities for intermediate to advanced cyclists. "This is a mountain biker's dream! Well groomed tent camping around a large pond with showers and toilets just a short walk away. Firewood and ice are complimentary," notes Yvette K., who appreciated the secluded setting, adding she "didn't hear a peep of highway traffic or other sounds of civilization for the 3 days we were there."
Paddling opportunities: Somerville Lake provides extensive kayaking with minimal boat traffic during weekdays. "Stopped in here for a place to stay while on a hunting trip. Service was phenomenal and they answered any questions on the spot," states Wes M. about Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit. The park offers kayak rentals at reasonable rates with several no-wake zones.
Fishing access: Multiple fishing areas exist at Rocky Creek (Somerville Lake), including shoreline spots and dedicated piers. "This is a beautiful park on a beautiful lake," reports Lynne L., who tent camped solo. "I would ABSOLUTELY return to this park! They recognized that I was a lone female with an old man-dog and, respectfully, went out of their way to make sure that we were okay!"
What campers like
Large site spacing: Lake Bastrop offers above-average site separation compared to other campgrounds in the region. "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," explains Ashley C. about Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit. "The best part is the proximity to the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common throughout the camping area, particularly during evening hours. Lori C. observed "tons of deer wandering around every evening" at Rocky Creek, noting the campground also features "clean bathrooms, well maintained trails and miles of accessible shoreline."
River proximity: Several campsites provide direct river access for wading and fishing. Laura D. enjoyed her stay at Colorado RiverBend Retreat, noting: "Peaceful and beautiful surroundings. Picnic table, fire pit, hammocks and the bathroom/shower is so close! Right by the river - easy to fish or spend time in the multiple hammocks."
What you should know
Cell service variability: Mobile reception changes significantly between campgrounds and even between sites. "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," reports Red S. about Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit. At Rocky Creek, Lori C. found "great AT&T and 2 bars T-Mobile reception."
Seasonal flooding concerns: Several area campgrounds experience periodic flooding that can affect trail accessibility. Jeff T. notes that Rocky Creek (Somerville Lake) "has reopened recently after sustaining some serious flood damage after Harvey and other storms in the past few years. A number of lakefront sites have been permanently closed."
Strict check-in policies: Rangers enforce entry times at some locations. "Don't try to get in early. They are very strict and won't allow any check ins until after 2:00 pm," warns Stacy R. about Rocky Creek. Similarly, gate closures affect late arrivals, with Denise V. noting that "gates closed and locked from 10p to 6p - can get out, but not back in."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds provide children's play areas near camping loops. Jonathan K. visits Lake Bastrop North Shore Park frequently with family, noting "it has a huge lake for our canoe and lots of room for the kids to run around. Kids under 12 get in free and adults are $5 for the day."
Swimming options: Designated swimming areas provide safer water access than unmonitored shorelines. "The park is nice and quiet and we plan on taking our new rv soon. There are restrooms with showers throughout the park," Jonathan adds about Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, which maintains a roped-off swimming section.
Junior Ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational activities for children. Kim B. shares that at Bastrop State Park Campground, "Kids got to do the junior ranger program which they loved. There was a fire not long before we visited in 2012, which was sad but interesting to see."
Tips from RVers
Pad conditions: Concrete pads at campgrounds vary in quality and levelness. "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," observes Red S. about Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit.
Dump station orientation: Some facilities have unusual dump station configurations. Tryon C. found the "dump station on the wrong side of the road was a surprise" at Rocky Creek, while Denise V. clarifies that "the one closest to the entry gate has you facing into the park."
Alternative accommodations: For those preferring an RV experience without owning one, Christopher P. notes that Lake Bastrop North Shore Park "only has six campsites left. The rest have been converted to rentals of Airstreams or large tents for $150+ a night. There are three pretty good sites for large rigs in the interior and three camp sites facing the lake."
