Lake Somerville State Park And Trailway - Birch Creek Unit

On the Lakeshore
Fishing, camping, mountain biking, 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, play horseshoes or volleyball, geocache, and go birding. Explore miles of multiuse trails.

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

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 or jetty in a state park, but you will need one to fish from a boat. Birch Creek has a fishing jetty.

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.

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