Lake Livingston camping spots offer diverse terrain across a 90,000-acre reservoir surrounded by East Texas pine forests. The area sits at approximately 131 feet above sea level, creating varied shoreline camping environments from sandy beaches to wooded coves. Camping facilities range from primitive sites to full-service RV hookups with concrete pads, with most campgrounds offering year-round access despite summer temperatures regularly climbing above 95°F.
What to do
Horseback riding and dining: Lake Livingston State Park Campground offers guided horseback rides with dinner included. "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," reports Emily M.
Mountain biking: Double Lake Recreation Area features extensive trail networks popular with cyclists. "Miles upon miles of well-defined hiking trails. Campsites by the lake have a great view," notes Matt M. The area is known for smooth, fast trails that connect throughout the forest.
Kayak rentals: Self-service kayak rentals are available at several locations, allowing for independent exploration of Lake Livingston's coves and inlets. "There's also self-service kayak rentals," reports Rocco, who visited Huntsville State Park Campground in February. Rental costs typically range from $10-20 per watercraft.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Livingston supports diverse fishing conditions with both shoreline and boat access points. "We brought our boat and fish, tube, and water ski. We have a blast. I also love bringing my stand up paddle board and do a ride in the early morning," shares Analia F.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Wolf Creek Park receives praise for site layout and privacy. "Wolf Creek Park is well maintained with many nice shady campsites. Sites have water and electricity and some have sewer hookups," explains Mary A. The park design allows for parking extra vehicles on grass adjacent to sites.
Swimming areas: Designated swim zones provide family-friendly water access at several campgrounds. "The swimming area but visitors mention the lake bottom can be rocky and slippery in spots, making water shoes advisable for swimmers," notes one review. Wolf Creek Park features a guarded swimming area designed for safety.
Wildlife viewing: Double Lake NF Campground offers abundant nature observation opportunities. "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails," writes Devin P. Early morning hours provide the best wildlife viewing conditions.
Waterfront camping sites: Multiple campgrounds feature premium lakefront sites with direct water access. "Tent site we stayed at was great. Well shaded and not too close to other camper sites," reports Marcy F. about Lake Livingston State Park. Many waterfront sites allow for launching small watercraft directly from camp.
What you should know
Varying site sizes and levels: Not all campsites are created equal in terms of space and leveling. "Some sites seemed much larger than others and some were far more level than others, so checking out the sites before choosing one is a good idea," advises Sara S. at Double Lake Recreation Area.
Seasonal conditions: On The Lake RV Resort experiences significant differences between peak and off-peak seasons. "We went during the end of winter and can see during the summer that this place will be a go to spot for us," notes Rocky W. Winter camping provides quieter conditions but may have limited amenities.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely across the region. "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," warns Rachel H. Verizon typically provides the most reliable coverage in the area.
Lake conditions: The lake bottom can be challenging in swimming areas. "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," mentions one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Lake Livingston State Park Campground offers learning activities 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," shares Rachel W.
Bike-friendly trails: Several campgrounds feature trails appropriate for younger cyclists. "The main Trinity Trace Trail was flat dirt, good for young bikers. Though trails are short, they connect so you could do a few trails for a longer run/hike if you so desired," notes a visitor.
Recreation facilities: Many campgrounds include additional amenities beyond camping. "There is 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," Linda V. explains about Wolf Creek Park.
Wildlife education: Small ponds and nature areas provide wildlife viewing opportunities for children. "This park is magical. My family and I have been coming here for the past 5 years, and it never gets old. There are so many great things about this place. The hiking is amazing- the views are breathtaking," shares Analia F.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad access: Rainbow's End RV Park provides solid foundations but requires preparation. "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.
Electrical protection: Some campgrounds experience occasional power fluctuations. "Power interruptions, albeit short. Very glad we had our power surge protector," mentions one camper. RVers should bring surge protection equipment, especially during summer months when air conditioning use is high.
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate bigger RVs. "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," notes one camper at Lake Livingston State Park.
Utilities considerations: Most developed sites offer full hookups, but placement varies. "We have stayed here 2 different times. The east section is a little older and smaller sites but was still able to find one for our 42' coach. The 'YAPUN' section is where we stayed last and was new and very nice, all the sites had concrete pads to park on and are fairly level," shares David S.
