Lake Livingston State Park offers a getaway deep behind the pine curtain of East Texas.
This is one of the most beautiful parks in the state’s inventory. Towering pine trees shade the banks of the 83,000-acre lake. You would think the park would feel crowded with almost 200 campsites, most with water and electric hookups, and 10 screened shelters right at the water’s edge. But the opposite is true. Everyone is spread out in the 635-acre park.
The campsites are some of the most special aspects of the park, most with easy access to clean restrooms and showers. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and grill. Being surrounded by the forest is a comforting feeling as a cacophony of birdsongs fills the humid air. The first cup of coffee in the morning tastes so much better in the crisp air beside the lake.
Of course, there are the usual recreational activities waiting to be enjoyed. The park has several miles of hiking trails through the woods. There is even an equestrian-only trail.
This time of year, the sandy beach and chilly water are popular with campers. Don’t miss an opportunity to climb to the top of the observation tower at the marina for a panoramic view of the lake.
Impounded in 1969 on the Trinity River, the lake has become a notable white bass fishery, but channel and blue catfish can be caught any time of year. No fishing license is required when fishing from the bank in the park.
Lake Livingston State Park is 6 miles southwest of Livingston in Polk County, and a little over three hours from Austin. It is the second-largest lake completely within Texas, and supplies water to Houston, Beaumont, and four surrounding counties. A hydroelectric plant was added to the dam in 2021 to produce enough clean power for 12,000 homes.
1,760th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere: Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/daily/travel.
This article appears in June 27 • 2025.
