Camping at Lake Livingston State Park is one of the best decisions a Houston-area family can make for a weekend trip. Seventy-five miles north of Houston on Highway 59, this park sits on the edge of one of the largest lakes in Texas — 90,000 acres of Pineywoods reservoir with solid fishing, three boat ramps, a swim area, and a campground that can handle everything from a tent to a 75-foot RV.
I’ve been coming out to Lake Livingston for years. It’s not the most remote park in SETX, and it doesn’t try to be. What it is is well-managed, genuinely pretty, and accessible enough that it works for families with young kids, anglers chasing white bass, and weekend campers who want real facilities without a long drive.
Important — Active Alerts Before You Book
🔥 Burn ban in effect: As of February 24, 2026, a burn ban is in effect at Lake Livingston State Park until further notice. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed. Cooking is permitted on containerized fuel stoves only. Check
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-livingston for current status before your trip.
🚧 Park improvements underway: The park began a major improvement project in December 2025, expected to run through September 2026. Some camping areas may be closed during this period. Workers, machinery, and construction may be present during your stay. Call the park at (936) 365-2201 before booking to confirm your preferred camping area is open.
Both of these are worth knowing before you reserve a site — the burn ban changes what you pack for cooking, and the construction may affect which sites are available.
Getting There
Address: 300 Park Road 65, Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: (936) 365-2201
GPS: 30.656897, -95.001093
From Houston: Take Hwy 59 North to FM 1988. Turn left (west) and go 6 miles to FM 3126. Turn left (north) to the park. About 75 miles and 90 minutes from most Houston neighborhoods.
From Beaumont: Take Hwy 190 west through Livingston. The park is south of town off Hwy 59. About 60 miles, roughly an hour.
Park hours: 6am–10pm daily
Park store and marina: 8:30am–4:30pm daily
Entrance Fees
- Adults (13+): $6 per day per person
- Children 12 and under: Free
- Texas State Parks Pass covers daily entry — if your family camps state parks more than twice a year, the pass pays for itself
The park recommends reserving day-use passes online if you’re visiting on a weekend or holiday — they frequently reach capacity on summer weekends.
Campsite Types — All 141 Sites
Lake Livingston has one of the more complete campground setups of any SETX state park. Here’s what’s available:
Full Hookup Sites (Red Oak Loop) — 68 sites
Electric, water, and sewer. The largest and most developed section of the campground — can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet. Best for families who want a fan and A/C running overnight and don’t want to deal with a dump station at the end of the trip.
Water and Electric Sites — 49 sites
Electric and water only, no sewer. Solid middle-ground option for RV campers and tent campers who want power. Good ventilation is still essential in summer — SETX humidity doesn’t care what hookups you have.
Water-Only Sites (Briar Loop) — 24 sites
Tent camping only — no RVs or generators allowed in this loop. If you’re tent camping and want a quieter experience away from the generator noise that sometimes comes with RV sections, the Briar Loop is the right call.
Screened Shelters — 10 shelters
The most comfortable option at the park. Several are ADA accessible. Screened shelters book out fast on spring and fall weekends — if this is what you want, don’t wait. Reservations open 5 months in advance.
Group Sites
Available for reunions, Scout troops, and larger group camping. Call the park directly at (936) 365-2201 to discuss group site availability.
Fees: $14–$35 per night depending on site type
Minimum stay: Friday or Saturday night reservations require a minimum two-night stay
Make reservations: texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com or call (512) 389-8900
Fishing at Lake Livingston
Lake Livingston is one of the most fished lakes in Texas — and for good reason. The park’s fishing setup is excellent: three boat ramps, two fish cleaning stations, a dedicated fishing pier, and miles of bank fishing access.
What you’ll catch:
White bass — Lake Livingston is known throughout Texas for its white bass population. Spring runs up the Trinity River tributaries are outstanding. During the run (roughly February through April), anglers catch numbers that are hard to match anywhere else in SETX.
Catfish — Channel and blue catfish throughout the lake year-round. Night fishing with cut bait around the creek channels and deeper holes produces consistently.
Largemouth bass — Present throughout, especially around flooded timber and structure on the northern end of the lake.
Crappie — Good numbers in the brush piles and timber. Spring and fall are the most productive windows.
Perch and bluegill — Abundant throughout the lake. The best family fishing option — easy to catch from the pier, great for kids.
Fishing license required. Texas freshwater license available online at
tpwd.texas.gov or at the park store.
The
park store and Sunset Marina carry ice, bait, drinks, snacks, and basic fishing supplies. Stock up here rather than making a separate supply run.
Kids’ fishing rod combo — a simple setup is all you need for perch and bass from the pier.
Swimming
Lake Livingston has a designated swimming area. No lifeguards — read
TPWD’s water safety guidelines before letting kids in the water. Alligators are present in the area — always swim in designated swim areas and keep kids away from uncontrolled shoreline access.
Trails and Activities
The park has approximately 3 miles of hiking trails through Pineywoods forest — flat and manageable for all ages. A mountain bike trail runs through the property for cyclists. TPWD has confirmed the park is a geocaching destination with active permitted caches throughout — download the free Geocaching app before your trip and search the map for Lake Livingston State Park.
Ranger programs are offered throughout the year at no additional charge — fish with a ranger, kayak with a ranger, night hikes, nature programs, and geocaching sessions. Check the
park events calendar before your trip.
Junior Ranger Explorer Pack and
Night Sky Explorer Pack are available to borrow at no charge — great for kids 5 and up.
The park also has an amphitheater for seasonal ranger presentations.
Wildlife at Lake Livingston
Alligators — Present throughout the park, particularly near the lake edges and marshy areas. Keep kids and pets away from the shoreline in uncontrolled areas. Never feed or approach alligators.
Birds — Lake Livingston sits in a major migratory corridor and the Pineywoods edge habitat produces excellent year-round birding. Download the free
Birds of Lake Livingston PDF from TPWD before your trip.
White-tailed deer — Common at dawn and dusk throughout the forest sections of the park.
Wild turkey and squirrel — Regularly seen in the wooded areas away from the main campground.
If you’re camping here with kids who love wildlife, pick up our
Wild Southeast Texas Wildlife Coloring Book before the trip — several of the animals they’ll encounter at Lake Livingston are featured, including the alligator, great blue heron, deer, and catfish.
What to Pack
Lake Livingston’s Pineywoods setting means the standard SETX camping kit applies. A few specifics worth calling out:
- DEET-based insect repellent — the lake edge and wooded areas have real mosquito pressure at dawn and dusk
- Quality cooler — summer temps at Lake Livingston regularly hit the low 90s
- Camp stove — with the active burn ban, a propane camp stove is your only cooking option until the ban lifts
- Rain gear — Lake Livingston gets 48 inches of annual rainfall. Afternoon thunderstorms in spring and summer appear fast
- Life jackets for anyone going on the water — three boat ramps means real boat traffic on busy weekends
For the complete packing list, grab the free
Ultimate Family Camping Checklist before your trip.
Best Time to Visit
Fall (October–November): The best camping window. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, the heat breaks, mosquitoes thin out, and the white bass fishing picks back up. October mornings at Lake Livingston are as good as SETX camping gets.
Spring (March–May): White bass run peaks in March and April — the best fishing of the year. Wildflowers are out, temperatures are comfortable, and the ranger program calendar is active. Weekends fill up fast — book 2–3 months out.
Summer (June–August): Hot and humid but the park is fully operational. Swim area is the main daytime draw for families. Arrive Thursday to avoid weekend crowds, book a screened shelter if you can, and fish early.
Winter (December–February): Light crowds and quiet. Good for birding — winter waterfowl on the lake. Bring real cold-weather gear for the nights.
FAQ
Is Lake Livingston State Park good for families?
Yes — it’s one of the most family-accessible state parks near Houston. The flat terrain, multiple campsite types, fishing pier, swim area, and ranger programs make it an easy first camping trip for families with young kids.
Are there alligators at Lake Livingston State Park?
Yes. Alligators are present in the lake and surrounding shoreline areas. Swim only in designated swim areas, keep children and pets away from uncontrolled shoreline access, and never feed or approach wildlife.
Can you swim at Lake Livingston State Park?
Yes — there is a designated swimming area. No lifeguards on duty. TPWD recommends reading their water safety guidelines before swimming.
How far is Lake Livingston State Park from Houston?
Approximately 75 miles north of Houston via Hwy 59, roughly 90 minutes depending on starting point and traffic.
Does Lake Livingston State Park have full hookup RV sites?
Yes — 68 full hookup sites (electric, water, sewer) in the Red Oak Loop can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet.
Is there a burn ban at Lake Livingston State Park?
As of the time this post was written (May 2026), yes — a burn ban has been in effect since February 24, 2026. Always check
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-livingston for current conditions before your trip.
Is the park open during the 2025–2026 improvement project?
Yes — the park remains open during improvements, which are expected to run through September 2026. Some camping areas may be temporarily closed. Call (936) 365-2201 before booking to confirm availability in your preferred area.
Lake Livingston is one of those parks that earns its reputation by being exactly what it says it is — a well-run Pineywoods family park with solid fishing, good facilities, and enough space that it doesn’t feel crowded even on a busy spring weekend.
For more SETX campground guides, see our
best campgrounds in Southeast Texas and our
complete guide to camping near Houston with kids. And for the full family camping strategy, our
Ultimate Guide to Family Camping in Texas covers everything from what to pack to the best seasons to go.
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