Lake Somerville State Park opened in 1970. The park is known for being on the lake. There are two units to the state park, Birch Creek Unit and Nails Creek Unit. The two units are connected by the Lake Somerville Trailway. The trailway is 12 miles long and open for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Location
Birch Creek Unit:
14222 Park Road 57, Somerville, Texas 77879
Nails Creek Unit
6280 FM 180, Ledbetter, Texas 78946
Cost
The entry fee for Lake Somerville State Park is $5 per person over the age of 13. There is free admission for people ages 12 and under.
There are additional fees for overnight stays which vary depending on the type of lodging or campsite.
To save money when visiting Lake Somerville State Park, I recommend looking at a Texas State Parks Pass. The pass costs $70 a year. The benefit of the pass is that it allows the pass holder, and any passengers in their vehicle to enter the park without paying the day use fee.
Reservations
Reservations can be made in advance online. Reservations can be made for campsites or for day use. Reservations should be made as soon as you know your plans.
This is a popular park that often reaches capacity, even for day use. If you do not have a reservation you may be turned away at the gate.
Staying at Lake Somerville State Park
Campsites
Hike-in primitive campsites are $10 per day. The camping area is called Flag Pond. They are located along the trailway between the parking area for Newman Bottom and the Nails Creek Unit. The length of the hike depends on where you decide to park, but it is at least one mile. There is no water and the only toilets are chemical toilets.
Equestrian campsites with water are $12 per night. These campsites are located in the Nails Creek Unit. They have a picnic table, a fire ring, and a lantern post. There is water nearby and there are horse corrals and hitching posts in the area.
Equestrian campsites with electricity are $20 per night. These campsites are located in the Nails Creek unit. There is a picnic table, fire ring with a grill, and hookups for water and electric. There are horse pens and restrooms in the vicinity.
Campsites with electricity are $20 per night. There is a picnic table, and fire ring with a grill. There are hookups for water and electricity. Bathrooms are available in the vicinity.
Group Facilities
The Group Hall is located in Birch Creek Unit. It has air conditioning and electricity and a full kitchen. There are tables and chairs for up to forty people. You must bring your own cooking utensils. Pets are not allowed.
The Group Campsite is also located in Birch Creek Umit. It has a central dying hall which is air conditioned and has a full kitchen. There are tables and chairs for up to forty people. You must bring your own cooking utensils. Sleeping inside the dining hall is not permitted, and pets are not permitted in the dining hall. There are campsites with electricity and water. There are restrooms, but they do not have showers.
There are pavilions available in the Nails Creek Unit and the Birch Creek Unit.
Restrooms in Lake Somerville State Park
There are bathrooms provided throughout the park. Restrooms in the camping loops have showers. There are also chemical toilets along the trailway.
Hiking Trails
There are 40 miles of hiking trails in the park. This is an excellent park for hiking. Both units of the park have trails. There is also the thirteen mile Lake Somerville Trailway which connects the two park units. The trailway has primitive campsites and chemical toilets along the way.
What is there to do at Lake Somerville State Park?
You can fish in Lake Somerville. Fishing licenses are not required for fishing from the shores of a state park. There is fishing available in both units of the park.
Go hiking, bike riding, or horseback riding on the trailway.
Swimming is allowed in Lake Somerville. Both Birch Creek Unit and Nails Creek Unit have swimming in the lake.
Kayaks and canoes are available to rent in both units of the park. Life jackets and paddles are included with rental fees.
Try you hand at nature photography or going birding. Deer, fox, coyote, alligators, rabbits, birds, bobcats, and river otter live in the park.
Have a picnic in the park.
Dogs at Lake Somerville State Park
Lake Somerville State Park allows dogs into the park. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas of the park including on hiking trails. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, including dining halls and bathrooms.
What to do near Lake Somerville State Park
Somerville, Texas
Somerville, Texas is 15 miles from the park. Somerville has a population of 1,300 people. You can get gas or stop by the grocery store to get some supplies for your camping trip. There is also a Dairy Queen or a Sonic. If you want to go to the park during the day, but don’t want to camp there are hotels in town.
Brenham, Texas
Brenham, Texas is 30 miles from the park. Brenham has a population of 17,300 people and is the county seat of Washington County, Texas. Brenham is known for being the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream, and you can tour the factory. There is a nice historic downtown near the courthouse, or you can also visit Washington on the Brazos Historic Site.
College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas is 34 miles from the park. College Station has a population of 120,000 people and is home to Texas A&M University. You can tour the campus of the school, and see the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.