Lake Livingston dominates the camping landscape near Ace, Texas, with 83,000 surface acres of water surrounded by East Texas pine forest. The region sits at approximately 200 feet elevation with sandy, acidic soil that supports diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous songbird species. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, though summer humidity regularly pushes the heat index above 100°F from June through August.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling: Lake Livingston State Park offers excellent paddling options with equipment available seasonally. "You can do so many different water activities because the lake is so big. We bring 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 in the morning," shared one visitor to Lake Livingston State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: The Sam Houston National Forest contains well-maintained trail systems perfect for cyclists. "This place 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," noted one regular visitor to Lake Livingston State Park.
Horseback riding: Guided trail rides provide a unique way to explore the forest. "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," wrote one camper about their experience at Lake Livingston.
Fishing: The region's lakes support excellent fishing opportunities. "We caught bass, perch and catfish and lots of them! Getting in the lake left some to be desired. The bottom has many large rocks, tree stumps and is very mossy," explained a visitor to Huntsville State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the spaciousness of sites in the area. "The campsites are huge and well kept. I believe all have full hookups. We had a lakefront site which had a private little path to the lake. The shore was good for fishing," wrote one visitor to Double Lake Recreation Area.
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the area regularly receive praise for cleanliness. "The bathing areas are kept clean and are spacious, but nothing fancy. There is a swimming pool which is open in summer," noted one camper at Rainbow's End RV Park.
Accessibility to water: Many campsites offer direct water access. "Tent site we stayed at was great. Well shaded and not too close to other camper sites," shared a visitor to Double Lake Recreation Area, while another mentioned, "The sites are large, either grass or gravel and offer full hookups which we appreciate being it's Aug. - warm & humid."
Wildlife viewing: The forested setting supports diverse wildlife. "The squirrels that ate from our fingertips! 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!" explained one camper at Lake Livingston State Park.
What you should know
Summer conditions: Summer heat requires planning. "We have a blast. I also love bringing my stand up paddle board and do a ride in the early in the morning. There are so many beautiful birds to see in the morning on the water," noted a Lake Livingston State Park visitor who recommends early morning activities during summer months.
Lake hazards: Some swimming areas require caution. "Swimming can be fun but a little dangerous and slippery," warned one Huntsville State Park visitor.
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly. "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," advised a Lake Livingston State Park camper.
Cell service limitations: Mobile connectivity varies by provider. "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. Verizon works well here," reported a visitor to Rainbow's End RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer designated swim zones. "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails," shared a visitor to Sam Houston National Forest Double Lake Recreation Area.
Playgrounds and recreation: Many parks provide additional recreation facilities. "The kids loved the park and the island that was in the middle of the lake. Kayaked, hiked and fished," mentioned a visitor to Tombigbee Lake - AC Indian Reservation.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer wildlife learning experiences. "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," noted a Huntsville State Park visitor.
Family-friendly biking trails: Several parks feature trails suitable for younger riders. "The 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," explained a Lake Livingston camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. "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," cautioned one RVer at Lake Livingston State Park.
Hookup variations: Full hookup availability differs across campgrounds. "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. They also have a central dump station," advised an RVer at Lake Livingston State Park.
Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions affect RV sites. "What a mess due to daily rains. No concrete pad under the picnic table, so your feet were in the MUD hole!" warned a Lake Livingston visitor who suggested bringing extra ground protection during rainy periods.
Site location strategy: Strategic site selection enhances the experience. "We weren't loving Piney Shores#52 back-in campsite much due to: Steep drop-off of the concert pad and the narrow roadway making backing in challenging, but not impossible for our 27ft trailer," advised one RVer who recommended selecting sites along the waterfront for better access.
