By:
Submission
This recreation area is part of Somerville Lake
From Houston take Highway 290 west to Burton (go through Brenham). Exit at Spur 125. Stay on 125. Turn left on FM 1697. Stay on FM 1697 to FM 180. Turn right on FM 180 to the park. From Austin take Highway 290 East to about six miles east of Giddings. Turn left on FM 180 to the park.
Great fall camping, lake is quiet and good for kayaking. Good price, especially with Parks Pass. Corrals for horses. Extra parking. Lots of stars.
• 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
• The open style pavilion doesn't appear to be open. Looks like it's is structurally unsound
Don't listen to the haters, this park is a freaking treasure. Oh and the boat ramp has one the best boat ramp bathrooms ever. And if you suck at backing in a boat like me, the ramp is enormous, so it's all good.
The most helpful check-in ranger I've encountered yet! She handed me a map with the route marked to my campsite, then mentioned she had a number of other sites available. I was super excited to trade in my close-quarters equestrian site and nab a more private and spacious spot on the water (site 42). Restrooms seemed brand new.
The lake was great- it felt huge to me. The water was warm!
Visited in November 2023, and the lake was dried up at this unit. It was unexpected - I wish the website would have better information on the water levels.
Still a nice park though. Clean restrooms, a lovely picnic area with grills, and good trails.
Great state park! Spots weren’t as isolated as the other state parks, but location was great and the whole place was super clean. Def will come back
