7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Somerville State Park offers equestrian camping at both the Birch Creek and Nails Creek Units, with specialized facilities for horse owners. The equestrian sites feature individual corrals at most campsites, allowing campers to keep their horses nearby during overnight stays. The Birch Creek Unit includes horse-friendly campsites with water and electric hookups (30/50 amp), picnic tables, and fire rings with adjustable grates. Sites are well-spaced with significant tree coverage providing shade for horses and riders. The corrals accommodate horses comfortably with sufficient room for movement. The park maintains restrooms and shower facilities accessible from the equestrian camping areas. Campers note the equestrian campsites are set apart from other camping areas, creating a quieter environment for horses.
The 14+ miles of equestrian trails connect both units of Lake Somerville State Park, providing extensive riding opportunities around the lake. Trail riders access a system of well-defined double track paths with minimal elevation change, making them suitable for various skill levels. The Trailway system links the park units, though riders should check for trail conditions as some bridges have been damaged by previous flooding. Wildlife sightings are common along the trails, with riders frequently encountering deer and various bird species during their excursions. The trail system allows for both short rides near the campgrounds and longer treks between park units. Horse owners can access the lake in several areas for watering their animals. The trails remain accessible year-round, though seasonal conditions may affect certain sections after heavy rainfall.
"Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations. "
"This was our first time here at lake Somerville birch creek. It was a great one. We stayed in old hickory loop. Lots of trees and plenty of shade."
from $12 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long."
"A nice, quiet fall camping weekend on Lake Somerville. It was a solo trip and since the weather was warm, I brought my kayak on this trip."
from $12 - $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Whether you're struggling with intricate medical terminology, patient data analysis, or ethical principles, our tutors are available to support you every step of the way."
"We arrived around 11:30 pm to the park and was stopped by a very helpful officer that explained to us the park was closed, but helped us get a spot anyways and directions."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $250 / night
"First time at Iron Horse RV resort, won't be our last! The grounds are clean and the spaces are wide. They have a beautiful pavilion and a lazy river. "
from $59 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long. All in all it was a nice small state park with great views of Lake Somerville.
RangerA nice, quiet fall camping weekend on Lake Somerville. It was a solo trip and since the weather was warm, I brought my kayak on this trip.
Check In: 2p Check Out: 12p
⛺ Site#26- Back-In
💲20 per night+$4/person/day Parks Pass Discount saved$18.00
• Water
• 20/30 amp
• Fire Ring with grate
• Picnic Table: wood with metal legs, concrete base
• Site Pad: Asphalt, level, long enough for my camper and truck with room to spare
• Corrals for horses
👍🏻 Pros:
• Extra parking places across the street
• Can see the lake from this spot
👎🏻 Cons:
• There's not a direct trail to the lake shore other than animal trails through some of the tall grass
• The table and fire ring are on the non-camping side so it was a little strange. Very dark at night on that side.
📝 Park Notes:
• Dump Station
• Restrooms/ Showers- clean. The Bent Tree area has a portable trailer for the restrooms and showers. The main building is closed.
• There are Munzees and Geocaches here
• Lots of trails in the park and between this and the Birch Creek Unit
• Great trails for equestrians
• Enclosed Group shelter for events (no kitchen)
• Family Fishing Pond (small)
• The open style pavilion doesn't appear to be open. Looks like it's is structurally unsound
🐦 Wildlife:
• Birds: Great Blue Heron, Cardinals, Chickadees
• Deer
• Squirrels
💜 Highlights of this trip:
•🔥 Campfires and breakfast over the fire
•🐕 My brother came for a short visit to walk the dog
•🛶 Kayaking and there was only ONE other boat on the lake
•🍂 Nice fall colors
•🚫 Some of the trails and areas of the park were closed this weekend due to public hunts
•🌟 Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars.
•💚 Found a couple geocaches and put out a few Munzees
More info at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/12/fall-camping-at-lake-somerville.html
GuideHad a great night camping at Lake Somerville SP-Nails Creek. It was really quite with only 2 other sites occupied. Lots of coyotes and owls calling throughout the night. The site was not too far from the bathroom and had great privacy. Didn’t use the horse corral, but each site has 1-2.
Tested out our klymit static v2 sleeping pads and LOVED them. It was a bit cold as hadn’t thought to bring an extra blanket and slept without the rain fly—but not too bad.
Tried the Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai and Mountain Home Biscuits and Gravy and all were terrific.
GuideWell spaced spots. Fairly level pads with table, fire ring, 30/50 amp electrical, water. We didn't see any covered tables, but all usable spots had concrete pads for tables. Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations. Sites are well dispersed, but some appear to be no longer in use. In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas! Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable. Just be prepared and you'll be fine. Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation. Trails are numerous, but not well marked. We didn't see a lot of hog damage on the trails, so maybe the staff has been working on that. Good amount of wildlife Equestrian area looked like it was restored and back-in-business. Will be returning. While the Birch Creek and Nails Creek sections are visible across the lake from each other, there is a long drive (15 minutes in a vehicle around the lake) to get between them, so plan your time accordingly.
LegendThe campsites are not very large, but it's ok because the sites are separated from each other which is nice. Some sites even have corrals for horses! The best part is the proximity to the lake. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent for a really low price. Bathrooms and showers have good access from the sites and are kept clean. Overall, one of the best state parks we've stayed at in Texas!
GuideThis was our first time here at lake Somerville birch creek. It was a great one. We stayed in old hickory loop. Lots of trees and plenty of shade. Short trip from Houston so we will definitely be going back!
GuideI’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.
RangerThe sites have nice paved spots, many have views of the lake, and are spacious. We stayed in the equestrian area since the other area for non equestrian sites is currently closed. There are trails you can access in the park, with many more miles a short drive away. Two bridges are out on the Trailway which limits options a bit. The hiking and biking is all well defined double track with little elevation change. We saw many birds this spring.
RangerThis park is spread out to 3 sites along the lake and this campground is at the middle sized one. It is a bit of a drive to get to the largest area. It’s a very pretty lush forested area with a lot to do on the water and trails.
Yay: campgrounds are wooded, large, and rather private. None of them have an amazing view, but they are all a short walk to the water’s edge.
Nay: It can flood.
Surprise: Great wildlife on the trails with lots of educational displays and programs. Famous for birding. If you have a horse, bring it!
Lake Somerville State Park has two distinct units with equestrian camping facilities situated around a 11,630-acre reservoir approximately 30 miles southwest of College Station. The park sits at an elevation of about 250 feet and features post oak woodlands typical of central Texas transitional zones. Seasonal rainfall affects trail conditions particularly in spring months when some bridges and low-lying areas become temporarily inaccessible.
Trail riding opportunities: Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit offers extensive riding trails that connect with the Birch Creek Unit. As one visitor notes, "Great trails for equestrians" with "Lots of trails in the park and between this and the Birch Creek Unit." The trails are primarily "well defined double track with little elevation change."
Kayaking and fishing: The lake provides calm waters ideal for paddling, especially on weekdays when boat traffic is minimal. A camper at Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground reported, "Stopped into here on the way from Austin down to the coast... Went for a nice paddle on the lake until the winds came up." Fishing opportunities exist throughout the lake, with one visitor mentioning, "My husband went fishing for a bit. He didn't catch anything, but he witnessed another gentleman catch a 20" fish, so we know there are fish in the lake."
Wildlife observation: The park's diverse habitat attracts numerous bird species and mammals. At Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground, a visitor documented seeing "Great Blue Heron, Cardinals, Chickadees" along with "Deer" and "Squirrels" during their stay. Early morning or evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Private, spacious sites: The equestrian campgrounds provide ample space between sites, creating a quiet environment. A camper at Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit shared, "We stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long."
Natural surroundings and night sky: The relative isolation from urban areas creates excellent stargazing conditions. One visitor noted, "Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars" during their fall camping trip, while another mentioned enjoying "amazing views" from the trails.
Amenities for non-equestrian visitors: Even those without horses appreciate the facilities at Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park, where a camper found "more than I expected for a camp site (electricity, fire ring pit, table, Barbque pit, and trash cans with bags). We set up tent quickly, made a fire, and had a great time with the kids!"
Weather and seasonal considerations: The park experiences periodic flooding that affects trail conditions. A visitor warned that "Some bridges are out on the Trailway which limits options a bit," while another noted that "Some of the trails and areas of the park were closed this weekend due to public hunts."
Campsite selection tips: For optimal experience at horse campgrounds near Somerville, choose sites with lake views when possible. At Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground, a visitor recommended: "We stayed in site 28, which is a great space...unless it's windy" and noted they "had great internet service, which is unusual for us in a state park."
Services and supplies: Limited services exist near the parks. A camper mentioned "The closest gas station is 10 miles. There is a Dollar General store for basic stuff. If you need something, that's about 5 miles." Plan accordingly and bring necessary supplies.
Swimming access: The lake offers swimming opportunities during warmer months. A visitor to Lake Somerville described it as a "Nice quite little camp ground with easy lake swimming area." The designated swimming areas provide safer conditions for children than the main lake.
Playground and recreation facilities: Some nearby parks offer additional recreation options for children. At Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park, families can access "a playground, baseball field and frisbee golf course." These amenities provide alternative activities when not riding or hiking.
Short trail options: Families can enjoy shorter hikes suitable for children. A camper noted, "We did explore the Wilderness Run and Sunset trails, both of which we enjoyed" while another mentioned the "trail system allows for both short rides near the campgrounds and longer treks between park units."
Site surface conditions: Some equestrian campsite pads need maintenance. One RVer reported, "The only thing I think that they could improve would be the pads where you park your trailer on. Some of them need to be redone."
Cell service information: Connectivity varies by carrier. A camper at Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit reported, "I have T-Mobile cell service and it fluctuates between 4G and 5G. I'm able to use the internet send and receive text messages and call out and receive calls."
Water and electric specifications: Most equestrian sites at Iron Horse RV Resort include full hookups. The resort offers "clean and wide" spaces and received praise from one visitor who noted, "First time at Iron Horse RV resort, won't be our last! The grounds are clean and the spaces are wide."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Somerville, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Somerville, TX is Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Somerville, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Somerville, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
