Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
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Bring your fishing gear or borrow some of ours - no license needed in a state park! -
Plan a campout with family or friends. Choose a campsite at either unit or a primitive site along the trailway. -
Wildlife is plentiful here. Bring your binoculars and your camera! -
Play in or on the water - fish, paddle, swim or boat. -
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.
- Get detailed fishing and lake information for Lake Somerville.
- Fishing Tip Sheet for Lake Somerville State Park – Nails Creek Unit | PDF
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). Rental availability depends on the weather. Contact headquarters for rental hours and other information.
Ranger Programs
Check our Events page for upcoming programs.
We offer these programs for school groups (you must schedule in advance):
- Third Grade Outdoor Adventure at Nails Creek, Lake Somerville | PDF
- Sixth Grade Outdoor Laboratory Experience at Birch Creek, Lake Somerville | PDF
Kids
Become a Junior Ranger!
- Borrow an explorer pack, loaded with tools for exploring the park.
- Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal | PDF. Complete tasks to earn a badge.
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.
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