Lake Livingston dominates the camping landscape near New Waverly, Texas, with over 90,000 acres of water surface providing extensive recreation opportunities. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter nights can dip into the 40s. Most campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though amenities may be limited during winter months.
What to do
**Fishing access: Lake Livingston supports multiple fish species including catfish, bass, and crappie. Wolf Creek Park offers direct lake access for anglers. "This 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," notes one camper.
**Water recreation: Boat rentals available at most lakeside campgrounds. Bethy Creek Resort features a cable 2.0 for wakeboarding and boat rentals. "We enjoy our time here. Clean camping site on the Trinity with a cable 2.0 for wakeboarding. Great atmosphere and helpful staff," shares a visitor.
**Nature trails: Several campgrounds maintain walking paths through wooded areas. Lake Livingston State Park features a dedicated boardwalk trail. "There is a 'board walk trail' that is quite literally a board walk through the forest. It's just a 1 mile loop and has a few benches and attractions, and this would be an excellent handicap option," explains a reviewer.
What campers like
**Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between camping spots. Lake Livingston State Park Campground offers well-separated sites in wooded settings. "The campground is heavily wooded and the campsites are well spaced. We stayed only night but would definitely consider staying here again," mentions a recent visitor.
**Lakefront views: Direct water access from numerous sites. "Almost all spots have a great view of the lake. Ours had a deck right over the water. The fishing was decent too," shares one camper about Bethy Creek Resort.
**Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain regularly serviced restrooms and shower areas. Woodsy Hollow Campground & RV Resort offers quiet surroundings with well-maintained amenities. "Nice and quiet with a small lake. Check-in was quick and easy and the lady checking us in was super nice," reports a visitor.
What you should know
**Site selection varies: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis for specific sites. "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," notes a camper at Lake Livingston State Park.
**Wi-Fi limitations: Internet access may be restricted or require payment. "I booked this site because it shows wifi as an amenity. However, the wifi is a pay-by-the-day only offer," mentions a visitor to Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort.
**Seasonal considerations: Summer weekends see highest occupancy rates. "We camped here for a long weekend getaway. The campground is huge, and you cannot reserve a specific site. We enjoyed our time here in our full hookup site, but the campground was just too busy for our taste," shares a Lake Conroe visitor.
Tips for camping with families
**Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer structured events for children. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort Waller specializes in family-oriented programming. "We camped during the week and it wasn't very crowded. Plenty to do for our little ones. Huge play ground closed for COVID but other things open were splash pad, water slides, pool, lazy river, fishing, golf cart rental and more," reports a family visitor.
**Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones with varying depths accommodate different age groups. "Lake Livingston State Park is a fantastic state park for water activities. The fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding is all fantastic," notes an experienced camper.
**Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play structures. "We have been to this park twice now, once at a tent site and once at a Yogi on the Lake cabin. Both during Halloween time a year apart. What a FUN place to be! Our kids loved that we got to go Trick or treating at a campground!" shares a Jellystone Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
**Hookup verification: Confirm site utilities before booking. "Beware that not all sites have full hookups," warns a Lake Conroe camper. "I walk the dog a lot and run and road around the grounds needs to be repaved, lots of pot holes and uneven areas."
**Leveling requirements: Site terrain varies between campgrounds. "Huge campsite along the lakefront with access to launch kayak/canoe or even swim. Gorgeous sunsets over the lake. Very level concrete pad requiring no additional leveling efforts," reports a camper at Lake Livingston State Park.
**Site navigation: Some larger campgrounds require self-selection of sites upon arrival. "The person at checkin did have a good site recommendation. We arrived shortly after checkin and had limited selection of sites," mentions a Lake Conroe visitor.
