Steinhagen Lake spans 13,700 acres in east Texas with a shoreline elevation of 83 feet. The lake serves as a water supply reservoir while offering year-round camping opportunities. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water-resistant camping gear essential during the June-September rainy season.
What to do
Wildlife viewing tours: 8 miles north of Martin Dies, Jr. State Park Campground explore guided spotting excursions for alligators, deer, and migratory birds. Tours run April-October, cost $15/person. "This park was very quiet and was abundant with wildlife," noted one visitor to Martin Dies.
Kayaking small inlets: Rent equipment at Magnolia Ridge for $10-20 daily to navigate cypress-lined coves. Protected waters suitable for beginners available year-round. "Beautiful park. We brought kayaks and had a great time amongst the trees. Even saw some small gators," reports a camper who explored the area.
Bank fishing: Steinhagen Lake's northwestern shores provide excellent catfish and bass opportunities, especially during spring and fall. No license required when fishing from designated piers. "The fishing was great and this State Park is one of those hidden gems. There was no crowd, it was like we had the whole place to ourselves," according to a visitor.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Pine and magnolia trees provide natural cooling during hot Texas summers. Sites with mature trees reduce afternoon temperatures by up to 15 degrees. "Deep into the piney woods and swampy outcrops of B.A. Steinhagen lake, I camped under the shade of a huge magnolia tree alongside very tall pines and oaks," described one tent camper at Magnolia Ridge.
Quiet weekday camping at COE Sam Rayburn Reservoir San Augustine Park: Sunday through Thursday offers significantly reduced crowds and better site selection. "This is a great COE campsite that is spacious, clean, quiet, and site#63 has lake views on 3 sides," shared a visitor.
Glamping amenities: Electricity and water hookups available at most established sites around Steinhagen Lake. Many include covered picnic tables for protection during afternoon showers. "Campsites are modern, many have a waterfront view. The campsites are well shaded by trees, all have fire pits. Many sites have water and electric and facilities are easily accessed," noted a camper.
What you should know
Summer mosquitoes: Bring effective repellent for evening activities, particularly May through October. Consider thermacell devices for campsite perimeters. "We tented here on a rainy weekend unfortunately. It was a nice site right near the water, and we saw a lot of wildlife like an armadillo, raccoon, and deer. We got out for a little bit to go for a walk and went to some of the trails which were scenic but super buggy. Bring spray and citronella candles!" warned a visitor at Martin Dies.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have weak or no cellular coverage in wooded areas. Download maps and information beforehand. "Very low cell service. Which I loved but don't expect to do any business," mentioned one camper.
Hurricane recovery impacts at Village Creek State Park Campground: Some facilities still undergoing renovation from past storm damage. Check current status before booking. "Hurricane Harvey flooded most of the park in 2017 but now it is completely open. The park is very nice. It is very typical of Texas parks," reported a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly fishing piers: Morning hours (6-9am) offer the best chance for children to catch sunfish using simple worm bait. Most piers have cleaning stations nearby. "We enjoyed Christmas in this quiet park, kinda chilly and pretty deserted. As per normal for RV parks, WiFi sucks but cell signal was adequate," noted a Village Creek visitor.
Wildlife observation platforms at Lake Livingston State Park Campground: Visit at dawn or dusk for optimal viewing. Bring binoculars for spotting distant wildlife. "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," mentioned one family.
Accessible boardwalk trails: Flat, well-maintained paths suitable for strollers and young walkers. Most routes under 2 miles with interpretive signs. "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," explained a Lake Livingston visitor.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many waterfront sites slope toward the shore. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs. "I needed to lower the front of my 34' fifth wheel trailer 16" to level it; L/R leveling was reasonable needing 1/2" on the right side," detailed a camper at San Augustine Park.
Power protection equipment: Bring surge protectors for RV hookups, particularly during summer thunderstorm season. Brief outages common during weather events. "Power interruptions, albeit short. Very glad we had our power surge protector," advised an RVer.
Grocery access at Tombigbee Lake - AC Indian Reservation: Stock up before arrival as nearest full service stores require 20+ minute drives. Small camp stores carry limited essentials. "This is a great place. My family has been camping here in tents, RVs and cabins for more than 15 years. Some fairly recent upgrades to the bathrooms and showers have made it much nicer!" shared a regular visitor.
