Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway

Karen Boone and Boomer at Lake Somerville. This bridge now has railings! Thanks Karen for providing this picture and the original review for WTTA of Lake Somerville!

Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_somerville/

Lake Somerville is centrally nestled between Austin and Houston. There are two different trailheads at this state park, the Nails Creek Unit and the Birth Creek Unit, which are at opposite ends of the Lake Somerville Trailway.

Nails Creek Unit
6280 FM 180, Ledbetter, TX 78946-7036
(note this address will not show up as the correct location when entered into Google Maps, so use the coordinates or our map on the Review Tab)
Coordinates: 30.290475,-96.667585
979/289-2392
Nails.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us

Directions to Nails Creek:

Birch Creek Unit
14222 Park Road 57, Somerville, TX 77879-9713
(note this address will not show up as the correct location when entered into Google Maps, so use the coordinates or our map on the Review Tab)
Coordinates:30.310264,-96.635753
979/535-7763
Birch.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us

Directions to Birch Creek:

Park Maps:

Map of Nails Creek Campground

Map of Birch Creek Campground

Lake Somerville Trailway Map

Overnight Camping with your horse is allowed!

Cost: (Please note fees are subject to change so you might want to call or check the park’s website)

$4 per day, per person 13 and older, free for children ages 12 and younger
$2 per horse per day for use of the equestrian trailway (Nails Creek)
$10 per night for equestrian campsites with water only (both Nails Creek and Birch Creek have equestrian water only campsites with pens)
$16 for equestrian campsites with Electric/water (only Nails Creek has equestrian campsites at Bent Tree with both water and electric hookups with pens)

Reservations: If you want to camp overnight it is highly recommended you make reservations ahead of time, especially if you want a space at Bent Tree in the Nails Creek Unit as it tends to fill up fast. Call (512) 389-8900 or go online: Texas State Parks Online Reservations to book your camping reservation.

Nails Creek Unit, Bent Tree water/electric equestrian campsite.

Pair of side by side pens at Bent Tree in the Nails Creek Unit.

Nails Creek has 20 equestrian sites with water and electric hookups located in the Bent Tree Loop Equestrian campsites #21 to #40. The majority of these sites have a pair of side by side pipe pens which appear to be about 12 by 12 in size and share a center divider. These pens also have a tall center pipe in which a tarp can be attached to provide shade or protection from the rain. So be sure and bring plenty of bungies and a tarp. A few of the sites are located at the ends of one row of several connected pens. I noticed three separate rows of pens at Bent Tree, one row consisting of about 10 side by side pens and two rows of about five to six side by side pens (you can see where they are located on the Nails Creek Campground Map). These pens are also made of pipe but they are smaller (maybe 10 by 10 or 8 by 8), the top bar is low which allow the horses to easily hang their head over into the pens next to them, and there is no upper pipe beam to secure a tarp. Each site also has a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Bent Tree also has a bathroom/shower house. A dump station is located just before the entrance to Bent Tree.

Leopold is enjoying his shady pen. Notice the high center bar which can be used to attach a tarp.

The Bent Tree sites are located on one side of a loop, the bathhouse is on the opposite side of this loop. So if you miss your site, you do not have to back up your rig because you can just circle around the loop. Large rocks sit along the edges of some of the camping sites and are useful as mounting blocks, but be careful not to hit them when backing your rig into the site. The campsites are not squeezed side by side, instead they are pleasantly spread apart. Trees and vegetation fill in the spaces between each campsite and little pathways run between campsites, throughout the campgrounds, and to the bathhouse. At the back of several of the Bent Tree campsites trails lead to the lake, follow the lake shores, and wind around to Cedar Creek.

Nails creek also has ten primitive water only equestrian sites for overnight camping. When driving through the park entrance, this campsite is the first left and is near the trailhead. This campsite also accesses the trailway directly. At this campsite there are three pairs of pens and one row of pens exactly like the ones at the Bent Tree campgrounds. At the center of this campground is a handy round pen. This campsite has picnic tables with a pole and hook to hang a lantern on.

Some of the pens in both camping areas are not very shady, but you can picket your horse under the trees (use tree saver or an old girth to protect the tree) and let him eat grass during the heat of the day. Some sites have hitching posts and some do not. TETRA does a lot of work with this park to keep the camp area, trails and pens nice. Thank you TETRA!

Row of pens at Bent Tree in Nails Creek. Once done with your pen just pile up the manure by the gate and the park staff picks it up!

Trail Users: equestrians, hikers, dog walkers, and bicyclists. Horse drawn buggies/carriages are also allowed!

Mileage: 13 miles of trailway between Nails Creek and Birch Creek.

Terrain: The terrain at Lake Somerville Trailway is not challenging, as it mostly ranges from flat to gently rolling ascents and descants. The majority of the trails consist of a small to medium gravely rock surface and some sand and grass surfaces. Shoes or boots are recommended.

Description by Karen Boone:

Somerville Texas State Park has a 13 miles of trailway that goes from the Nails Creek campgrounds to the Birch Creek Campgrounds. This is not a loop so you have to go back the way you came making your round trip about 24 miles, unless there is someone who can move the truck and trailer while everyone is riding or have a friend’s trailer at the other campground. The 1/2 way point between campgrounds/trailheads is approx 6 miles and has a nice rest area and view. The trailway entrance located at Nails Creek can be a little rocky so I usually use boots as my horse is unshod. They have water at that trailway entrance and approx 7 miles up the trail. Trails are well maintained and rangers are really nice and helpful. At Nails Creek from the full service campsites you will need to ride your horse down the park’s main road about 1/2 mile to reach the trailway entrance. It is an easy ride with plenty of grassy area on the side to get off the road. On the trail there is a bridge crossing that is fun to do and can be scary. It is narrow and approx 30′ above the water. Most horses are ok with it. It is scarier for the rider I think.

The trailway goes up around Lake Somerville and has a gradual up hill incline. It is not steep, but it is a climb for horses not used to it. The trail is shared with hikers, but they usually just stand off to the side and wait for you to pass.

Right off the Nails Creek campgrounds there are also nice grassy trails that are great to do those short rides on and will take you down to the lake area where you can go into the water.

Brackenridge Plantation Complex and Park at Lake Texanna, Edna TX

Contributor of Review and all Photographs: Tiffany Drabek

Most of the trails are open but there are a few areas with oak groves.

Website:
http://www.brackenridgepark.com/thingstodo/equestriantrails.aspx

Contact:
Office: (361) 782-5456
Fax: (361) 782-5419
Email: mprice@lnra.org

Location:
891 Brackenridge Parkway, Edna, Texas 77957
(about 90 miles SW of Houston)

Directions:
Take U. S. Highway 59 to Edna, then State Highway 111 South for approximately 7 miles to Brackenridge Recreation Complex and Park. Please note that Brackenridge Park is right across the road from Lake Texana State Park (both clearly marked but just make sure you turn into the correct one, the State Park (sadly) doesn’t allow horses on their trails)!

Cost:
$7.50 per rider to ride trails, $15 a trailer to stay overnight, and $2 per horse for a stall overnight. Stalls are first come first serve.

Mileage:12.5 miles

Terrain:
The terrain is all grassland, no hoof boots/shoes are needed. The parking/camping area for trailers is all gravel.

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I think everybody stops to enjoy the view and take a photo on this ledge! Thanks Tiffany for this great shot.

Ebenezer Park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir/Lake – Jasper, TX – In the Angelina National Forest 

Fairy Tale Trail

Website: http://www.recreation.gov/camping/ebenezer-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73653

Contact: 409/384-5716 Sam Rayburn Corp of Engineers (they stated there is no direct public number to the Ebenezer gate house)

Location:

Ebenezer Park on Sam Rayburn Lake in Angelina National Forest
RT. 3, BOX 486
Jasper TX 75951

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
31.07028, -94.12472

Directions: Located in the East Texas piney woods of Angelina National Forest, 70 miles North of Beaumont.   From west of Jasper, Texas take TX 63 West  approximately 11 miles to the intersection of Recreation Road 255. Turn right on 255  and go approximately 3-4 miles to the park entrance road on your left (there will be a sign). You will drive about 1.2 miles on the park road  and you will also pass the spillway before reaching the Ebenezer Park Campgrounds on your right.

Overnight Equestrian Camping: Allowed

Reservations: This park fills up fast, so it is highly recommended you reserve a campsite well in advance. To make a reservation follow this link:

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Ebenezer_Park_Tx/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73653&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

Mileage: According to the park’s website there is approximately 1.5 miles of trails in Ebenezer park which opens up into the Angelina National Forest where there are 20+ miles of trails.

Maps: I was able to find a few rough maps of the area and trail from doing a Google search. This one does not show all of the trails but gives you an idea of some of the major trails in the area.

Terrain: The terrain is soft, sandy, no hoof boots/shoes needed. Some trails are easy rolling terrain, some creek crossings and gullies.    There is lake beach access at a couple of  different places on the trails but not at the campgrounds.

Park Fees:

Free – Day use trail riding

$28 – 50 AMP electric & water equestrian campsite

$26 –  30 AMP electric & water equestrian campsite

$14 – Primitive Camping

(For as beautiful as this place is you almost feel guilty to spend so little to stay and ride there! )

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Hill Country State Natural Area

Websites-

For the park: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hill_country/

For Reservations: https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com

Contact:

Direct number to the park: 830/796-4413

Number to make reservations: 512/389-8900

Always call before you haul, trails may be subject to closure during wet conditions or hunting.

Location: Approximately 50 miles northwest of San Antonio

10600 Bandera Creek Road

Bandera, TX 78003

Directions:

From Bandera, travel south on State Highway 173, go across the Medina River and continue for approximately 1/4 mile to Ranch Road 1077, turn right on Ranch Road 1077  and go about 10 miles to where the black top ends. Continue on the caliche road and follow the park signs to the park headquarters. This will take you down a hill and you will see an old wood barn on your right.  Turn right at the cross roads and pass over a one lane low bridge.  You will see the park ranger residence on the right.  After that on your right is the park headquarters where you check in.  Be sure to have your Coggins ready and ask for a map.

Hours:

The park is open 7 days a week and overnight camping is allowed.  The park office normally closes around 5pm but there is an after hours self check in by the office to use when needed.

Hunting:

Facilities / Fees: Fees are subject to change so call the park to be sure of current rates.

Daily park use fees – $6.oo per person ages 13 and over, twelve and under is free for the day. When camping overnight it is $3.00 per person ages 13 and over, twelve and under is free.

Bar-O Equestrian Area  is $10 per combination of 6 (people & horses) per campsite and is also used as a day-use parking area (approximate capacity  is 25 rigs). Bar-O is located across from the park headquarters in a 6-acre somewhat shaded area. One water trough, fire rings, a few hitching posts, a few picnic tables, and a chemical toilet near the office is provided at Bar-O. This area is non-reservable and is first-come, first-served. You must pack out your own manure here, so bring something to put it in.

Trailhead Equestrian Camp Area (Primitive)  is $15.00 a night for a maximum of six people per site. This area has six designated and primitive reservable campsites #213 – #218 on a circular gravel driveway.  Each site has a gravel parking pad, two side by side pipe pens which are about 10 by 10, a picnic table, and a fire ring.  The center of this area has a round pen, one restroom (chemical toilet – no running water) and a black water tank to use for the horses.   There is no electricity or running water. There is a designated area to dump your manure and a park wheel barrel you can use.

Chapa’s Group Camp Area is $150 per night – Chapa’s Camp is a group camp area which has a capacity for a large number of people. There is a 10 acre open field which can accommodate primitive campers.  There are a few electrical hookups .  The hook ups are on grass/dirt. There is non-potable water, a water trough, and a wash area which is sometimes closed when in drought. There are a few outside picnic tables and fire rings.  There is an old stye 12 stall barn.  The stalls are about 10 by 10. A second much larger barn with a concrete floor, several picnic tables, lights, and electric outlets is great for gatherings. On one side of this barn is another covered area with about 2-3 larger pens.  Chapa has an old white house which also has a few picnic tables but is not meant to be slept in – it is basically gutted. There is one chemical toilet and a designated area to dump your horse manure.  If this group area is not rented out, then individuals can camp overnight there using the stalls and electric outlets. However, you cannot make an individual reservation at Chapa’s unless you rent out the entire group camp area.  So if you are lucky and can stay at Chapa’s because it has not been rented out by a group then be prepared to have to move if a someone comes along wanting to rent the entire camp area.

The Group Lodge is $300 per night – The Group Lodge is available for equestrian or non-equestrian use and can sleep up to 12 persons. It has 4 bedrooms, three with full size beds, and a dorm room with 4 twin beds, there is also a sleeper sofa in the lounge. The lodge has a bathroom, kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, central heating and air-conditioning, porch, and a separate building with an additional refrigerator and a barbecue pit. Towels, bed linens and cooking utensils are not furnished. There is non potable water available for the horses. Be sure to pick up the key for the lodge and also notice there is a key for the outside water faucets as well. All water is non-potable so bring plenty of drinking water and water for cooking, tea, coffee, etc….There are 5 covered small stalls, 4 covered pens, and corrals/paddocks for your horses. Some of the corrals could be hazardous (especially the ones behind the barn) if your horse tends to get into things. You can also bring your own pen, tie to the trailer, or high tie with tree savers. Use of the equestrian arena is an extra $50.00 in addition to the lodge rental. The arena is located next to the lodge. They now also have 4 trailer hookups (Electric, no water) at the Group Lodge.  The hook ups are on grass/dirt. There is also plenty of space for primitive camping.  The more the merrier at no additional cost for these RV hookups and primitive campers, still $250 a night for the whole place!

Mileage: 40 miles of designated, multi-use trails open to backpacking, primitive camping, horseback riding, and mountain bicycling

Map: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4507_115.pdf

(click map to see larger version)

Terrain: mostly rocky, some flat trails with few rocks, some gentle grades, and some steep canyons up to 2000 feet in elevation. Shoes or boots are recommended.

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Rusty’s Walnut Creek Ranch

Website: http://www.rustyswalnutcreekranch.net/index.html

Contact: Rusty #512/ 304-5880 or Lucinda Crain #512/426-3882

Location: 394 Pleasant Chapel Road, Cedar Creek TX 78612

Directions: From Austin, take Hwy 71 towards Bastrop, pass HWY 21, Turn right on HWY 20, go about six miles and turn right on Pleasant Chapel Rd. Ranch headquarters will be on your right.

Hours: by appointment, please call before you haul

Cost:

$5.00 daily for use of the arena only

$10.00 daily for use of the trails only

$15.00 for day rides, includes use of the trails and arena

$15.00 for primitive camping

$10.00 for overnight use of a horse pen

$125.00 Bunkhouse rental- The bunkhouse has a full kitchen, dining area, den, toilets, shower, washer/dryer, and beds for ten. Bring your own linens and pillows for the beds. The bunkhouse can be rented by the night, weekend, or weekly.

Mileage: Approximately 10-12 miles of trails. They recently added new trails on the northeast side of the ranch.

Terrain: The ground on the southwest side of the ranch is mostly rock free and sandy. The ground on the Northeast side of the ranch is a rocky in spots and has more black dirt than sand.  The trails wind through open and wooded spaces.  Some trails are full of short up and down gullies and there are a few challenging steep grades.  On the southwest side of the ranch trails wind through a 100 year old pecan grove.

Facilities: Bunkhouse, restrooms, running water, primitive camping, approximately six hook ups with electricity and water, plenty of parking space, two arenas, pens, paddocks, cafe (call ahead to see if the cafe is open), and pavilion.

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