Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
Also known as Lake Somerville State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $5 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 161 campsites
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(979) 535-7763
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Burn BanOct. 21, 2026 - Both units of the park are under a burn ban. No wood fires are allowed. You may cook with charcoal in enclosed grills and… (more)
Oct. 21, 2026 - Both units of the park are under a burn ban. No wood fires are allowed. You may cook with charcoal in enclosed grills and containerized fuel stoves. Birch Creek Alerts Aug. 26, 2025 - Pavilions are closed. Feb. 16, 2024 - The fishing pier is closed due to damage. Hunt Closures Flag Pond Loop and Waldo's Loop trails will be closed from sunrise to noon daily during Early Teal, Regular North Zone Duck and Youth-Only Waterfowl seasons. Ask at headquarters if they are closed during your visit. Only hunters with permits will be allowed in closed areas. Unit Closures The Birch Creek Unit will be closed on the following dates: • 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 to noon on Dec. 4 • 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 to noon on Jan. 8 The Nails Creek Unit will be closed on the following dates: • 4 p.m. on Jan. 12 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 The Trailway will be closed on the following dates: • 4 p.m. on Dec. 4 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6 • 4 p.m. on Jan. 8 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 10 Only permitted hunters will be allowed on these dates. Contact the park for more information. Trailway Bridges Out May 1, 2024 - Two bridges on the Trailway are washed out, one over Nails Creek and one over Yegua Creek…
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway is a park in Burleson County, about 18 miles northwest of Brenham.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, mountain biking, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a boat ramp and a fishing pier. For overnight stays there are 161 campsites across 7 camping areas (RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, equestrian camping, and showers).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
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
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | $5 |
| Child 12 Years and Under | Free |
| Senior (Partial Parklands Passport) | $3 |
| Equestrian Fee | $3 · day |
Official wording
• Adult: $5 Daily • Child 12 Years and Under: Free • Senior (Partial Parklands Passport): $3 Daily • Equestrian Fee: $3 Daily
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for both camping and day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites with Electricity (Birch Creek Unit) Weekly non-peak rate is available from December through February. Post Oak Campsites 32, 38, 46, 57, and Old Hickory Campsites 62, 73, 87, and 101, have a paved pathway from the parking area to the picnic table, electrical outlet and water spigot. Twenty-one sites have 50-amp hookups; the rest have 30-amp hookups. | 99 | Water hookup; Electric hookupPicnic tableRestrooms nearbyFire ring with grillSites #1-30 in YauponSites #31-60 in Post OakSites #61-101 in Old Hickory | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee $120 Weekly Non-peak |
| Campsites with Electricity (Nails Creek Unit) Weekly non-peak rate is available from December through February. | 20 | Campsites with Electricity (Nails Creek Unit)Sites 41-60 in Cedar Creek | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee $120 Weekly Non-peak |
| Campsites with Electricity (Equestrian | Nails Creek Unit) You may camp here without horses. Weekly non-peak rate is available at the Nails Creek Unit from December through February. | 20 | Water hookup; 30-amp electric hookupPicnic tableRestrooms nearbyFire ring with grillHorse pens in the areaSites 21-40 in Bent Tree Equestrian Camping Area | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee $120 Weekly Non-peak |
| Campsites with Water (Equestrian | Nails Creek Unit) You may camp here without horses. Weekly non-peak rate is available at the Nails Creek Unit from December through February. | 10 | Water nearbyPicnic tableFire ringLantern postSites 1-10 in Equestrian Camping AreaHorse corrals & hitching posts in area | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee $72 Weekly Non-peak |
| Campsites with Water (Equestrian | Birch Creek Unit) You may camp here without horses. Campsites 107 and 108, have a paved pathway from the parking area to the picnic table and raised fire ring. | 10 | Water nearbyPicnic tableFire ringLantern postRestrooms nearbySites 104-113 in Equestrian AreaSites 107 & 108 are wheelchair friendly | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Primitive Campsite (Hike-in | Trailway) The Flag Pond campsite is located one mile from the Newman Bottom parking area and 4.5 miles from Nails Creek Unit. Potable water is not available. Access the site by hike, bike or horse via the 13-mile long Trailway. | 1 | No WaterChemical toilets | $10 Daily Plus daily entrance fee |
| Group Camp (Hike-in | Trailway) Wolf Pond Group Camp is four miles from the Birch Creek Unit. Access the site on foot, bike or horse via the 13-mile Lake Somerville Trailway. Potable water is not available. Ground fires are permitted in designated areas only. This site is available on a walk-up basis; it cannot be reserved in advance. | 1 | No WaterChemical toilets | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
Camping details from the park
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.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingHorseback ridingHikingFishingMountain bikingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingSwimmingCampingWinter sports
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. Read more about riding horses in state parks. Please be courteous to your fellow explorers.
- Interactive trail map
- Lake Somerville State Park Trails map | PDF
Boating and paddling
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.
We no longer rent watercraft; you'll need to bring your own.
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
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Wi-Fi
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
- Equestrian camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 14222 Park Road 57
Somerville, TX 77879-9713 - Nearest town
- Brenham — about 18 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 30.3086, -96.6347
- Phone
- (979) 535-7763
- Nails.Creek@tpwd.texas.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology