Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway

Park Alert...

Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway

  • Father and Daughter Fishing at Lake Somerville
    Bring your fishing gear or borrow some of ours - no license needed in a state park!
  • RV Camping at Lake Somerville
    Plan a campout with family or friends. Choose a campsite at either unit or a primitive site along the trailway.
  • Deer at Lake Somerville
    Wildlife is plentiful here. Bring your binoculars and your camera!
  • View of the Creek at Lake Somerville
    Play in or on the water - fish, paddle, swim or boat.
  • Horseback Riding at Lake Somerville
    Ride your horses on the 13-mile trailway or in the Nails Creek Unit and stay overnight at an equestrian campsite.

On the Lakeshore

Fishing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding, hiking – whatever your outdoor passion, you can pursue it here. We’re between Houston and Austin.

Things to Do

Four units make up Lake Somerville State Park. Birch Creek Unit is on the north side of the lake, while Nails Creek Unit is on the southwest side. The 13-mile Lake Somerville Trailway connects the two units. Somerville Public Hunting Land is nearby, also on the lake.

Birch Creek and Nails Creek offer access to the lake for fishing, boating, paddling and swimming. On land at either unit, you can camp, picnic, hike, ride mountain bikes, geocache, and go birding. Explore miles of multiuse trails.

Host your next group gathering at one of our pavilions or group halls.

Review our water safety tips before swimming or boating in the lake or creek.

Trails

Have we got trails – nearly 40 miles of them! The Trailway is 13.11 miles long, not including the various side trails and loops. Each unit also has trails.

All trails are open to hikers and bikers. Horses are allowed on the Trailway, and on most trails at Nails Creek. Please be courteous to your fellow explorers. 

Fishing

Anglers here reel in hybrid, largemouth and white bass; crappie; and catfish. You don’t need a fishing license to fish from shore in a state park, but you will need one to fish from a boat.

Both parks loan fishing gear for use in the park; ask at headquarters.

Boating

Lake Somerville has over 11,000 acres of water to explore by motorized boat, kayak or canoe. Birch Creek and Nails Creek have boat ramps.

Camping

Camp with amenities at our sites with water and electricity, rough it at primitive sites along the Trailway, or choose something in between. We have equestrian campsites if you are camping with horses.  

Both units have restrooms with showers. Chemical toilets are located along the Trailway.

Rentals

Both units rent canoes and kayaks (paddles and life vests included). 

Ranger Programs

Check our Events page for upcoming programs.

We offer these programs for school groups (you must schedule in advance):

Kids

Become a Junior Ranger!

Connect with us on Birch Creek Unit's Facebook and Nails Creek's Facebook.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Area Attractions

The Lake Somerville complex is located along the Presidential Corridor between Austin and College Station. Nearby attractions include San Felipe State Historic Site; Bluebell Creamery; and Texas A&M University.

Visit the Somerville Chamber of Commerce website for more information.

Birch Creek Unit
14222 Park Road 57
Somerville, TX 77879-9713

Latitude: 30.308582

Longitude: -96.634692

(979) 535-7763

Nails Creek Unit
6280 FM 180
Ledbetter, TX 78946-7036

Latitude: 30.290719

Longitude: -96.667214

(979) 289-2392

Entrance Fees
  • Adult: $5 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
  • Senior (Partial Parklands Passport): $3 Daily
  • Equestrian Fee: $3 Daily
Hours

Open daily, 
6 a.m. - 10 p.m.


We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.

Busy Season

First weekend in March through Fourth of July

Climate

January average low temperature is 48 degrees. July average high temperature is 95 degrees. Wettest months are September and October. First freeze occurs early December. Last freeze occurs early February.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

Ranges from 190 to 496 feet above mean sea level.