Camping options near Shepherd, Texas center on the expansive Sam Houston National Forest, a 163,000-acre pine woodland located between Huntsville and Cleveland. The area experiences humid subtropical climate with average summer temperatures exceeding 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Camping facilities range from primitive forest sites to developed campgrounds with concrete pads and full hookups.
What to do
Horseback riding and water activities: Lake Livingston State Park offers guided horseback riding experiences with dinner options. "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," notes Emily M. at Lake Livingston State Park Campground.
Mountain biking and trail riding: The network of trails at Double Lake Recreation Area provides excellent mountain biking opportunities. Tim H. from Double Lake Recreation Area says, "I spend a lot of time here. Great facilities," adding that the mountain bike trails are "smooth and fast are the best way to describe them."
Fishing and paddling: Many campgrounds offer direct lake access for fishing and paddling. At Wolf Creek Park, "Water is shallow but once you get out of the little cove that the boat ramp is in, it's smooth sailing," according to Michaela L. The park also includes a designated swimming area that's "perfect for the kiddos and not too deep."
Board walking and nature viewing: The trail system includes accessible options like the boardwalk at Lake Livingston. "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 Rocco.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers consistently mention the generous spacing between sites. Debbie J. reports that at Double Lake, "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."
Lake access and views: Waterfront sites are highly valued at the best places to camp near Shepherd. "Gorgeous sunsets over the lake. It was wonderful to sit at the fire facing the lake and watch the sunsets," says Napunani about Piney Shores at Lake Livingston State Park.
Wildlife encounters: The forested setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing. One camper at Double Lake noted, "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!"
Shade coverage: The dense pine forest provides relief from summer heat. Seth P. observed at Lake Livingston that "The campground is heavily wooded and the campsites are well spaced," making camping possible even during hot Texas summers.
What you should know
Campsite selection tips: Site characteristics vary considerably even within the same campground. At Wolf Creek Park, Mary A. advises, "Sites have water and electricity and some have sewer hookups. There's a central dump station available as well."
Seasonal fluctuations: Weather impacts both water levels and camping comfort. Jim P. notes that Lake Livingston is "close enough to Houston that we can have a quick get away, but still be away from things that you can enjoy."
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites can be challenging. At Shell Oil Road Hunter Camp, Mary C. found "Muddy roads out to the site which were difficult to manage in a small passenger car," noting that "even the loop around the campground had big potholes full of water."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially in mild seasons. Jackie M. shares that Wolf Creek Park "is closed to the general public on weekends, so even if it is filled with campers, things are usually pretty calm and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Lake Livingston has designated swimming areas ideal for children. According to Analia F., "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 morning."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational activities beyond water sports. At Huntsville State Park Campground, one visitor mentions "a dedicated swim area, a small lake you can take boats out with trolley motor only, miles and miles of good hiking and biking trails."
Educational opportunities: Look for nature programs and interpretive features. Rachel W. reports that at Lake Livingston, "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."
Safety considerations: Be prepared for wildlife encounters and weather changes. Kyndall W. from Huntsville State Park shares, "We went on the long trail in the evening and heard coyotes which was cool. We turned around though lol."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Several campgrounds offer full-service sites for RVs of various sizes. David S. notes about Lake Livingston State Park, "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."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment at certain campgrounds. According to steven B. at Huntsville State Park, "The site is fairly level side-to-side with 2.75 inches low difference. The site is sloped front-to-back, but even with a long rig you should be fine."
Power reliability: Some areas experience occasional power interruptions. Napunani at Lake Livingston mentions, "Power interruptions, albeit short. Very glad we had our power surge protector."
Support services: The area has resources for full-time RVers. At Rainbow's End RV Park near Livingston, Deborah G. found "the office staff were so friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are fairly old however they were very clean."
