The Best Camping Near Lake Livingston State Park, Texas

This will come as no shock: spring and fall are the best times to head towards Lake Livingston State Park. Like all of Texas, spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons and make for maximally enjoyable hiking and camping. Summer is enjoyable when you’re on the water, but you have to get out of the water eventually. The daytime highs are in the mid-90s during the summer, though overnights are a cooler 70 or so.

Spring here is probably the best time of year to be here, slightly warmer though also slightly prettier than fall thanks to wildflower season. Spring highs run from the low 70s to mid-80s, though overnights can get as cool as the mid-40s in the early season. Still, that’s a preferable tradeoff to the summertime temperatures. Spring offers great hiking weather, especially in the earliest parts of the season when it doesn’t get too far above 70 degrees.

For those who can’t make spring, fall is still a great option. Like much of Texas, fall doesn’t really decide to show up until around the end of October. Early season temperatures are still around the low 80s but drop to the low 60s when winter is just around the corner. While fall colors aren’t all that prevalent around the Gulf, Lake Livingston State Park is far enough north to get some decent fall foliage.

The downside of being far enough north to get good fall colors is that the wintertime lows are going to be colder. While highs are still in the low 60s, overnight temperatures can get close to freezing. This might not be as big of a concern for RV campers, but tent campers may want to head further south.

The Alligators Aren’t Excited to See You Either

That’s a good thing, though. Alligators are much more skittish than movies make you think. They do not want to see you up close and personal, just like you would rather they stay a safe distance away.

As long as you’re smart about it, you’ll have no problems visiting alligator country. Avoid swimming in the early morning and later evening, and always obey the posted signs. Of course, don’t feed the alligators or leave food out because that’s how you meet alligators up close and personal.

Enjoy the Water via Boat Rental

Well, it’s called a boat rental on the park’s website, but it’s actually a kayak rental. The park is not going to rent you a boat because an inexperienced boater just hoping to wing it is an absolute hazard. That’s a recipe for not making it back to your campground in a good mood. However, these two-seater kayaks are completely safe and a really fun way to get out onto the lake. Do note that the fleet has a limited number of kayaks, so get there early.

Prepare for Rain

Lake Livingston and the surrounding area averages 50 inches of rain annually. In fact, there really isn’t a massive difference between the rainy and dry season. May to September sees a greater amount of rain compared to other months, but your chances of precipitation are only about 10% higher during the rainy season than the rest of the year. No matter when you go camping around here, pack a rain jacket.

Well, as you might expect from a park with “lake” in the name, water sports are quite popular. Any way to get out onto the lake is going to be a ton of fun, so plan some time for water-based activities. Those looking to rent equipment should consider renting kayaks at the park, though anyone coming with their own gear can canoe, boat, paddleboat, or do whatever they feel like on their own time.

There’s more to the park than the lake, though. There are good hiking and biking options to choose from, and there’s always a great view to see through your camera lens or binoculars.

Grand Texas RV Resort

Just a bit north of Houston, Grand Texas RV Resort puts you in a great location to be able to see both Lake Livingston State Park and Houston in one trip. Of course, it’s also across the street from the popular local waterpark, Big Rivers Waterpark and Adventures, so you don’t have to go far to make memories. While you’re here, you have plenty of options for relaxation, whether you want to be poolside, in the clubhouse, or at your incredibly spacious RV site.

Country Pines RV Park

This site is family-owned and operated, and like the name states, it’s out in the country among the pines. This tranquil setting is perfect for travelers wanting a slower pace of life, where they can move through the local attractions at their leisure. Amenities are on the simpler side here, but the campground is lined with trees and offers laundry facilities and internet access.

Lake Livingston RV Resort

Here’s another tree-lined option for the traveler wanting something tranquil. This is about as close as you can get to Lake Livingston State Park without actually being in it, as this peaceful RV park is just four miles from the lake. The resort offers a comfortable pool area and a communal campfire area, perfect for meeting fellow travelers.

Majestic Pines RV Resort

The name is certainly not an exaggeration on any count. The pines here are truly majestic and stand tall all around the campground. The amenities here really are resort-level, with an immaculate pool, sizable RV spaces, and a dog park. While you’re out in the country, it’s a short drive to get to the Woodlands and Lake Conroe.

This section of Texas isn’t densely populated with National Park Service (NPS) sites. However, there is one NPS site, Big Thicket National Preserve, not too far from Lake Livingston State Park.

Sam Houston National Forest

(20 minutes)

Lake Livingston State Park is in the backyard of the most popular national forest in Texas. Named for the same famed Texan that the city of Houston is named for, this national forest offers some of the best camping and nature viewing in the whole state and is a perfect day trip for anyone in the area.

Davy Crockett National Forest

(45 minutes)

This national forest doesn’t get nearly the visitation as the Sam Houston National Forest, but, in fairness, none of them do. If you want something really secluded without driving further into east Texas, the Davy Crockett National Forest offers all of the same attractions that the Sam Houston does but with fewer fellow travelers.

Big Thicket National Preserve

(1 hour)

While there aren’t many NPS sites within a reasonable drive of Lake Livingston State Park, there is one. This densely wooded section of southeast Texas offers a unique nature experience. There are plenty of miles of trails to take advantage of, and travelers from out of state will be surprised at just how densely forested the eastern section of Texas truly is.

Huntsville State Park

(1 hour)

Just outside of the Sam Houston National Forest is Huntsville State Park. This state park spans just under 2,100 wooded acres of southeast Texas. The park offers 21 miles of multi-use trails and the inviting natural beauty of the Piney Woods region. Whether you want to relax by the lake or head out to see what the park has, this is a must-see for anyone with extra time.

Martin Dies Jr. State Park

(1 hour)

At the intersection of a pair of rivers is this unique Texas state park. Martin Dies Jr. State Park preserves 700 acres of land and water near the border with Louisiana. While you can do a bit of hiking, the park’s waterways are the biggest draw for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

Village Creek State Park

(1 hour and 20 minutes)

Near Beaumont, Village Creek State Park is one of the best examples of this section of the state besides its neighbor, Big Thicket National Preserve. This park preserves Village Creek, one of Texas’s few free-flowing creeks. While paddling is incredibly enticing here, there are also eight miles of multi-use trails that you can hike and bike through.

7 Acre Wood

7 Acre Wood bills itself as an “old-fashioned family fun park.” It’s a step back in time with a host of classic attractions like a petting zoo and pony rides. 7 Acre Wood is meant to be a stop for young families, though it certainly appeals to the kids at heart as well. An admission ticket grants you access to all the events, though weekend pony rides and train rides are an additional fee.

Candy Cane Park

This small municipal park is well known locally and has all the essentials for a picnic lunch if you drive into the nearby city of Conroe on your way towards Houston. It’s a simple park, covering 24 acres in the city, and has become one of the most loved destinations in Conroe.

Wolf Creek Park

On the other side of Lake Livingston from the state park is Wolf Creek Park. This lakeside park is a great alternative for boat launches and lakefront fun when Lake Livingston is busy during the summer or major holiday weekends. If kayak rentals are out at Lake Livingston State Park, Wolf Creek Park offers rentals of their own for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats.

Pitt-Stop Café

Pitt-Stop Café is a simple and unassuming family-friendly restaurant. The café serves up plenty of classic American fares and comfort foods to travelers and locals who pass through their doors. This is a local spot that goes under the radar often, so be sure to make a pit stop when you’re in the area.

Joe’s Italian Grill & Pizza

Joe’s just feels homey, like all good small-town restaurants do. The décor is a mashup of murals that make you feel like you’re in your grandma’s kitchen and Italian artwork. The saying goes that you eat with your eyes, and while the ambience here is a lot of fun, the food plays the lead role in this production. There are plenty of classic Italian and American-style Italian dishes to choose from, and they’re all winners.

Patron Grill

It’s hard to miss the Patron Grill. Maybe it’s the giant sign on the front, maybe it’s the pueblo-style architecture covered in bright green and purple paint. Look, I hear how that sounds unappealing, but I promise that once you cross through that door, you won’t give it a second thought. This place serves up the best Mexican fares in the area by far, so put it on your shortlist for restaurants in the Livingston area.

The warm season in this section of Texas is long, but when you have Lake Livingston State Park to enjoy, that suddenly isn’t such a bad thing. Travelers throughout the year fall in love with this tranquil little lake and state park, so let’s hope you’re next!