Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit provides access to over 14 miles of trails through varied terrain near Ledbetter, Texas. The park sits at 350 feet elevation with distinct wet and dry seasons affecting camping conditions. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F from June through September, with relatively mild winters that rarely drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Somerville offers various fishing spots with mixed success rates. At Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit, one camper noted, "My husband went fishing for a bit. He didn't catch anything, but he witnessed another gentleman catch a 20" fish, so we know there are fish in the lake."
Kayaking on calm waters: The lake provides excellent paddling with limited motorboat traffic. A visitor to Lake Bastrop North Shore Park commented, "Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation."
Hiking trails: Multiple parks offer hiking paths ranging from short loops to longer routes. At Bastrop State Park, a visitor shared, "There are several miles of hiking trails, that can be done in one or two days. It just depends on how many miles you want to hike."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spots. At Stephen F. Austin State Park, a camper mentioned, "Good spacing between most sites, but no privacy from neighbor sites."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports abundant wildlife for nature observation. A visitor at Lake Somerville noted, "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."
Yurt accommodations: For those interested in yurt camping near Ledbetter, Texas, Oak Thicket Park provides options beyond traditional tent camping. One visitor shared, "We have been here several times, the water stays warm due to the power plant, good fishing and kayaking but wind picks up often."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer heat requires preparation. A camper at Bastrop State Park shared, "Visited during the middle of summer, so it was very hot, sunny, and dry. Bring sun screen and plenty of water!"
Insect activity: Bugs can be problematic during certain seasons. A visitor to Thousand Trails Colorado River noted, "Overall pretty good experience, however the mosquitoes are annoying. We left with so many mosquito bites that it's ridiculous."
Trail conditions: Some parks experience periodic trail closures due to weather. One Lake Somerville camper reported, "The trail system is apparently expansive, but had been closed while were there due to some flooding."
Yurt availability: Yurt camping in Ledbetter, Texas area requires advance booking due to limited inventory. Reservations are recommended 3-6 months ahead for peak seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several parks offer play areas for children. A visitor to Stephen F. Austin State Park shared, "I took a trip here with my husband, our son (3yo), my sister-in-law, her husband, their daughter(1yo), and a total of 4 dogs! We had an absolute blast!"
Shorter trails for kids: Choose appropriate hiking routes for younger children. The same visitor added, "Most of the trails were short (less than a mile), so if you are looking for a place for moderate or extreme hiking, it is not here, but for the kids, these were perfect!"
Bathroom proximity: When camping with children, choose sites near facilities. As one camper advised, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require adjustment for RVs. A visitor to Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park observed, "Got to the spot and it was more than I expected for a camp site (electricity, fire ring pit, table, Barbque pit, and trash cans with bags)."
Pad conditions: Check site surfaces before booking. One Lake Somerville visitor noted, "Well, 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."
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies across parks. Another Lake Somerville camper reported, "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."
Electrical hookups: Most RV sites offer 30/50 amp options. A Stephen F. Austin visitor noted, "Full hookups with 30 amps. Semi circle drive thru that fit my 44 ft motorhome and towed Jeep."
