Best Glamping near Richards, TX

It’s a large campground and spaces are very small. There’s a grass strip between camp sites. No picnic tables or grills. The office gave us a map and showed us how to get to our site but virtually impossible to understand. A very nice gentleman that stayed here took us to our site. He said they have no idea how to do directions and a buddy of his really messed up his camper by trolling around looking for their site. It’s very crowded and no room for awnings or for both campers side by side to put out awnings. There is a pool but it doesn’t look well maintained and there’s absolutely no chairs. Just the pool and it’s small. Laundry room is large. There’s no dog park or anywhere to walk your dog. Signs everywhere that say no pets, yet they are allowed. The flea market is only on the wknd. It’s close to a lot of restaurants and in a nice area.

This Park is on the edge of being a 5 STAR park... 

PROS 

Senior Discount 

Check-in at the gate without leaving vehicle NO street lights in A3 campground, so good dark sky viewing(when neighbors don’t have a dozen campsite lights illuminating 3-4 campsites) 

Very very quiet Sunday thru Wednesday 

Site 62 backs up to Lake Livingston so excellent view of lake and easy accessibility from lakefront campsites 

Site 62 12 ft wide concrete parking pad level 

Moveable wooden and metal picnic table on concrete pad 

Metal fire ring(no cooking grate) 

Pedestal BBQ grill Campsite utility hook-ups in good condition with no problems encountered 

Trash pickup at each campsite 3 times daily 

Pristine grounds 

Very clean toilet/shower facility; it took 3 men 2 hours in a Monday to clean one facility, but no cleaning Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday(didn’t even pick up the trash)! 

Constable manning gate after normal gate hours 

Roped off lake swimming area 

Small playground near swimming area 

CONS 

Paid$3.50 reservation fee for completing 100% on-line reservation 

On Day#2 of our stay, a neighbor camper came to us to inform us that the park manager just stopped by his site(we were at our site and saw him) to let him know there was a burn ban established for the next 7 days and that he need to spread the word to other campers. Two days later we saw a small burn ban sign posted at the toilet/shower facility. Communicating this crucial information needs improved. Perhaps posting signs throughout the park, especially at the entrance. 

Trip hazard on the picnic table concrete where someone cut the chains that held the table in place 

Numerous dogs roaming…no leash and no human 

Absolutely no privacy from any other campsite as there is no vegetation between campsites 

No evening trash pickup so have to store trash created by evening cooking 

Gate was not closed overnight 

Camp store and water craft rental closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 

No wildlife sightings 

No park WIFI 

No camp hosts 

3 bars TMOBILE in A3 campground with no problems live-streaming with TMOBILE hotspot device

This campground is probably one of the best in the area. It's clean, well maintained with excellent restrooms that are well lit and spotless. The boat launch is in great condition with plenty of parking. The camp store is well stocked and operated by the nicest of people. Slushes and Pickles all day! You've got all the amenities for RVs, lots of picnic tables and the campsites are well spaced out with fire pits electricity including 30 amp along with water. Lake Livingston is great for fishing and they have a designated safe swim area. Overall this is a very safe, very clean and family-oriented campground. Highly Recommend.

While the camp spots are few, this area gets extra points for its walking/running/biking trails. The park is open 365 days of the year and is first-come, first-serve on sites. Only $10 for the night. Check out the Lakeside Icehouse for events and live music throughout the year. Now the trails: ~20 miles through the trees with well-marked signs to guide you. Maps can be found here: https://brazosvalleymountainbikeassociation.wordpress.com/lake-bryan-trail-maps. Several local triathletes train in open water here as well. Outside of peak concert/event times, this is an ideal area for a quiet getaway.

I’m reviewing the hike in site on the Lake Somerville trail way, entering at the Birch Creek Unit (northern side of the lake). It’s around a three mile hike to the campground area. The hike has a few nice views of the lake and a few nice fields here and there. Once you make it to the camping area, you’ll find an outhouse, some benches, a fire pit and even a little well. Footsteps and a few coyotes can be heard in the evening. The campsite is close to a little meandering river if you’re willing to do a little bit of bushwhacking , just be careful as it’s easy to get turned around. Plus there are probably some crocodiles around, who knows. Anyway, I’d recommend this trail/campground, I didn’t see anyone once I got a few miles in and really enjoyed being close to a little river, plus the wildlife.

• Water

• 20/30 amp(had 50 amp outlet, but only 20& 30 breakers)

• Grill

• Fire Ring with adjustable height grate

• Picnic Table

• Site Pad: asphalt. Site was just long enough for my 24' camper and my truck and not much room between.

👍🏻 Pros:

• Near the water with a trail to get there

• Green space between the site and neighbors

• Good kayaking area

👎🏻 Cons:

• The spot is tight getting in. My 10' high camper had low hanging branches on it(but they were soft, not stiff). Lots of vines/shrubs across from the site, so no extra room there. 

📝 Park Notes:

• Park does not have a gate, so it doesn't close

• Dump Station for each camping loop

• Restrooms/ Bath House

• Boat ramp

• Fishing jetty (pier is closed)

• This campground is better for winter camping. Great buffer from wind and neighbors. Only a handful of sites have direct access to the water.

• Lots of trails

• There are Munzees and Geocaches here

• Group pavilion/kitchen available

• 2 group shelters available

🐦 Wildlife:• Birds: Shore birds, egrets, herons, cardinals, mockingbirds

• Deer

• Raccoons(I saw their tracks, but not the critters)

More info an video at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/08/my-birthday-weekend-2021.html

Site 23 was better (stayed in this one twice). Wider, nice view of lake. Not very long, but easier to get into.