Red Oak Campground

With six trails to choose from, all of them rated at either easy or moderate difficulty, there are plenty of places to get your wheels dusty. If you want some great views of the lake, Trinity Trace Trail is your best bet. And at just under two miles, it’s great for a quick afternoon ride.

Bordering one of the of the largest lakes in Texas, this park boasts three ramps and a variety of water equipment rentals. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are all available through the office, so you can spend more time relaxing by the water and less time strapping everybody’s gear to the roof.

Catfish, crappie, and perch all find a home here, but this lake is most known for its white bass. Take your pick between the pier, the bank, and three boat ramps, then head to one of the cleaning stations to get your catch ready for the grill. And if you’re just so excited to get down here that you don’t have time to pack your gear, you can take advantage of the park’s Tackle Loaner Program.

Several of the trails at Lake Livingston State Park run right through camp, giving you a head start on some relaxing walks by the water. Everything here is under two miles and of easy or moderate difficulty, so the whole family can join in. Be sure to check out the lookout and pier as you walk along the lake, and take a quick loop around Duck Pond by way of the Pineywoods Nature Trail.

Take advantage of the park’s stable and get a glimpse of the lake from a different view! Many of these trails are easy enough for the whole family to take a ride along the lake.

You don’t even have to bring your own kayak to enjoy Lake Livingston! Weekends are your best bet for renting canoes, paddleboards, and one- or two-person kayaks.

Take a break from the heat in one of the many swimming spots along the lake’s shore. There are some alligators in the area, but don’t worry—there’s plenty of room for everyone here!

Take the Pineywood Nature Trail if you want to spy on the local birds, and be sure to check out the nearby monarch butterflies who often pass through the pollinator garden. And if you happen upon the frog pond at night, you might be treated to an amphibious serenade!