Lake Livingston is one of the largest reservoirs in Texas, covering 83,000 acres with 450 miles of shoreline in Polk and San Jacinto counties. Located 90 minutes north of Houston, the area maintains average summer temperatures of 92-95°F and winter lows around 40-45°F. Primitive camping, cabin rentals, and upscale glamping in Livingston, Texas offer varied accommodation options throughout three distinct camping seasons: peak (March-May, September-November), summer (June-August), and winter (December-February).
What to do
Horseback riding opportunities: At Wolf Creek Park, visitors can experience guided trail 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," mentions Emily M., who recommends combining this with other activities like swimming, hiking, and kayaking.
Water recreation on Lake Livingston: The massive lake provides extensive boating and fishing opportunities. "The lake is huge. There's even 'self service' kayak rentals," notes Rocco about Lake Livingston State Park Campground. For families with children, Wolf Creek Park offers a designated swimming area that's particularly kid-friendly. "The swimming area for the first time and we absolutely loved it. It's perfect for the kiddos and not too deep, no matter how far you go out," shares Michaela L.
Educational activities: Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Campground offers nature programs suitable for all ages. "There are many things to do at the state park that are appropriate for all ages. Hiking trails are well shaded and not terribly difficult. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent, there are water trails mapped as well for those who enjoy boating. There are programs available for children as well," explains Vanessa M.
What campers like
Spacious, well-maintained campsites: Lake Livingston State Park Campground offers several campground loops with different amenities. "We love this state park and it's one of our favorites! This was our third time camping here in the Piney Shores Loop," writes a camper, noting the "very level concrete pad requiring no additional leveling efforts" and "huge campsite along the lakefront with access to launch kayak/canoe."
Wildlife viewing: Campers report diverse wildlife encounters throughout the area. "The deer walked by every night and the fireflies put on a show," shares Chris S. about Martin Dies State Park. At Lake Livingston State Park, another camper mentions, "It was also really amusing to find the squirrels VERY friendly. They just hoped up onto our laps and took peanuts in the shell from our fingertips!"
Calm water recreation: While Lake Livingston can get choppy in open areas, many campgrounds offer protected coves for water activities. "Water is shallow but once you get out of the little cove that the boat ramp is in, it's smooth sailing," reports Michaela L. about Wolf Creek Park, which maintains a kid-friendly swimming area throughout the summer months.
What you should know
Seasonal mosquito conditions: East Texas forests can harbor significant mosquito populations, especially in warmer months. "Watch out for the mosquitos," warns Emily M. about Lake Livingston State Park. Another camper at Martin Dies State Park advises, "Beautiful park but so many bugs... The landscape is swampy but it was beautiful in its own way... Bring spray and citronella candles!"
Facility availability varies by day: Some amenities operate on limited schedules. "Kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals were only Thursday to Sunday 8:30-3:30. $10-20/rental," notes Rachel W. about Lake Livingston State Park. Similarly, "The park store is not open Mondays and Tuesdays," so plan accordingly if you need supplies.
Lake conditions affect camping experience: Woodsy Hollow Campground & RV Resort provides a smaller, quieter lake setting than the main reservoir. "We loved this campground. Stayed one night on our way to Houston. Then we stayed one more night on our way back home. Site 18 was pretty level and had full hook ups. The campground overall was really very quiet and peaceful," reports Randy S., who appreciated the playground and lakefront areas.
Tips for camping with families
Look for family-specific amenities: Bethy Creek Resort caters to families with waterfront activities. "Clean camping site on the Trinity with a cable 2.0 for wakeboarding. Great atmosphere and helpful staff," notes Chelsea D. The resort maintains boat rentals and a well-stocked camp store for families who forgot essentials.
Consider campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Several locations feature playgrounds and recreational facilities specifically for children. "It has a great playground area for kids and we loved walking down to the lake," says Randy S. about Woodsy Hollow Campground. Wolf Creek Park offers additional family activities: "Bicycling, Swimming, Fishing, putt putt golf. The kids loved the park and the golf," according to Emily S.
Plan for varying water conditions: Lake Livingston's shallow areas near some campsites can be muddy after rain. "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," warns Rachel W. Consider water shoes for children and check with rangers about current lake conditions upon arrival.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Thousand Trails Lake Conroe, site assignment follows a first-come system. "The campground is huge, and you cannot reserve a specific site. You drive around and pick a site, then call and let them know which one you're in," explains Debbie J., adding "We were looking for a quiet, private site and there are very few of those."
Be aware of pad dimensions: Some sites have challenging concrete pads. "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," warns one Lake Livingston State Park camper, particularly about Piney Shores loop sites.
Check hookup availability: Not all sites provide full hookups. "Beware that not all sites have full hookups," notes Karen B. about Thousand Trails Lake Conroe. At Lake Livingston State Park, the Yaupon section offers newer, more spacious sites: "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. 30/50 amp service, water and sewer connections," reports David S.
