Lake Livingston State Park

Nestled within the Piney Woods region of Texas, the Lake Livingston State Park is the perfect place to go for those who enjoy water based outdoor recreational activities.

Situated just 70 miles to the north of Houston, the park is named after one of the largest lakes in Texas – which covers a surface area of a whopping 91,730 acres overall.

As you would expect the likes of boating, fishing and swimming are very well practiced activities here, as is hiking and birding.

Camping is also a very popular here too, with the park offering a total of 75 full hookup RV sites across five separate campgrounds, as well as a number of tent campsites for visitors to stay at.

Activities

This Texas state park provides visitors with plenty of opportunities to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.

Here is just a small selection of some of the many things you can do while you are there.

Boating at Lake Livingston State Park

Lake Livingston is a haven for those who love boating activities, with many people partaking in canoeing, kayaking, SUP and row boating.

Taking to the water on any of these vessels provides you with a fabulous perspective of Lake Livingston’s shoreline. So if you have brought any of these watercraft with you to the park you’ll be in for a visual treat.

If you didn’t then don’t worry, you can always hire them out from the park’s store.

For those wanting to explore a little further afield, you can even paddle out three miles from the shore to Pine Island.

Swimming at Lake Livingston State Park

On the hot days of summer the Texan sun can get unbearably hot. For this reason its a good idea to bring your swimming costume with you as the lake provides a great place to go for a cooling dip.

An impoundment of the Trinity River, it is one of the largest reservoirs in the state. So you should find plenty of space along the shoreline to go for a swim.

If you do, just be mindful that as the area is not lifeguarded, you will have to swim at your own risk.

Fishing at Lake Livingston State Park

As you would expect, fishing is a very popular activity in the park and attracts keen anglers from all over Texas and the rest of the USA.

For those who are interested in swimming, the park has three boat ramps as well as a fishing pier and two fish cleaning stations.

You can also fish on the shoreline and hire out cane fishing poles too, and the best thing about doing so is that you don’t need a license to throw in a line here.

Should you decide to fish at the lake you should be able to catch plenty of white bass, which is available in abundance. As well as crappie, perch and bass.

Hiking at Lake Livingston State Park

For those wanting to explore the park on foot, several miles of hiking trails meander their way through it.

These trails vary in length and degrees of difficulty. But they all showcase the park’s stunning landscape in different ways.

One of the most popular trails to attempt is the Oak Flat Trail, which is an easy half-mile trail that is suitable for all levels of fitness ability.

For those who want a longer exploration, the Trinity Trace Trail, extends for almost two-miles and showcases the park’s diverse range of flora and fauna. It also gives you the opportunity to pay a visit to the observation tower, which provides sensational views of Pine Island.

Birding at Lake Livingston State Park

Throughout the course of the year over 200 species of birds call the park home. Some of these live there all year round, whilst others come on a seasonal basis.

Depending on when you visit the park, if you bring your binoculars with you, some of the breeds you might see in the forest include red-shouldered hawk, tufted titmouse and downy woodpecker.

Over at the shoreline you can expect to see the likes of great egrets, black-crowned night herons and double-crested cormorants.

Pets at Lake Livingston State Park

Dogs are allowed in the park although restrictions may apply. To determine what they are, it is worth contacting the park’s main office for further clarification.

Camping at Lake Livingston State Park

The park features five separate campgrounds that collectively offer plenty of accommodation options for RVs, Trailers and tent camping.

Between the Piney Shores, Red Oak, Yaupon and Pin Oak campgrounds you will find 75 campsites that come with full hookups for water, sewer and between 20-amp to 50-amp electricity. (The majority are 50-amp).

All of these sites have a picnic table, fire ring and grill and lantern post. They are also all located near restrooms and hot showers and provide access to a dump station.

If you would prefer, you can also choose to stay in any of the 10 screened shelters the park offers. Nestled on the edge of the water by the Piney Shores Campground, these structures can sleep up to 8 people and provide protection from the sun and rain. They also come equipped with electricity, while water and restrooms are close by.

For those who want to camp in a tent, the Briar Loop has 16 campsites close to the lake. Each site has its own picnic table, and is close to restrooms and a communal water spigot.

Park Location

Lake Livingston State Park
300 State Park Rd 65
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936.365.2201

Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Lake Livingston State Park: