Lake Livingston State Park sits on the southeast shore of Lake Livingston near the town of Livingston in Polk County, about 1.5 hours north of downtown Houston. It’s best known for pier fishing, lakefront RV camping and short, shady trails under tall pines. Swimming is allowed in the lake, but there’s no pool or sandy beach.
At a Glance
- Drive time: about 1.5 hrs from Houston, 4 from Austin
- Entry fee: $6 adults; 12 and under free
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Reservations: day pass advised; fills on weekends
- Dogs: yes, on a 6-foot leash; not in buildings
- Swimming: yes, in the lake; no beach or lifeguard
- Camping: 143 sites from $14, 10 shelters; no cabins
- Best time: spring and fall; winter for bald eagles
- Cell signal: weak in the wooded camping loops
- Run by: TPWD, (936) 365-2201
On This Page
- Fishing and Boating
- Swimming at Lake Livingston State Park
- Hiking and Biking Trails
- Birding and More Things to Do
- Camping and Screened Shelters
- Best Time to Visit
- What Visitors Say
- Getting There
- Know Before You Go
- Nearby Parks
- FAQ
- Sources and Official Links
Fishing and Boating
Fishing is the main draw at Lake Livingston State Park. The park has a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, about 2.5 miles of shoreline open to bank fishing, three boat ramps and two fish cleaning stations, and no fishing license is needed when fishing from the shore or pier inside the park.
Fishing Rules and Catches
A few rules apply on the pier and the water.
- License: required when fishing from a boat
- Pier rule: two poles per person on the pier and other built structures
- Fish: white, striped, yellow and largemouth bass; channel, blue and flathead catfish; crappie and sunfish. White bass are plentiful, crappie peak in spring and early summer, and catfish and bluegill bite all year
- Fish to eat: Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) has a fish consumption advisory for the lake. Check it before keeping fish for the table
- Park store: the Sunset Marina store by the pier sells bait, ice, snacks and fishing supplies. Hours vary by season
Boating and Paddling
Lake Livingston is a big Trinity River reservoir of more than 80,000 acres, and wind can build real waves.
- Rentals: the park no longer rents kayaks, canoes or boats. Bring a boat or paddle craft from home
- Paddling: park staff suggest paddlers stay in the main cove by the park store
- Boaters: zebra mussels are in the lake, so clean, drain and dry the boat before leaving. Low water in 2026 exposed stumps near the ramps; check the alerts page first
Swimming at Lake Livingston State Park
Yes, people can swim in Lake Livingston at the state park. TPWD lists it as a lake swimming park, and swimmers get in from the concrete bulkheads and steps along the day-use shoreline near the park store and fishing pier.
- No pool: the park has no swimming pool. TPWD’s list of state park pools doesn’t include Lake Livingston
- No beach: expect a concrete edge and steps, not sand. Water shoes help
- No lifeguard: swimming is at the swimmer’s own risk. TPWD asks visitors to read its water safety tips before getting in
- Swimming area: TPWD photos label a swimming area along the accessible concrete walkway by the lake. The park superintendent told TPW Magazine in 2024 that there’s no formally designated area and that swimming is allowed off the bulkheads lining much of the shore
- Alligators: they live in the lake. Park staff say sightings are rare in the busy, deep water near the park store, but keep small children close
- Kids: some visitors find the water good for wading, while others say it suits strong swimmers better than toddlers
Hiking and Biking Trails
Lake Livingston State Park has about 6 miles of trails through pine and hardwood forest, and every trail is open to both hikers and bikers. TPWD rates four trails moderate, but visitors mostly describe them as flat, shaded and easy, so they suit families and first-timers more than serious mountain bikers.
| Trail | Miles | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Trace (connects all the camping loops) | 2.1 | Moderate |
| Bakba Trail | 2 | Moderate |
| Pineywoods Boardwalk Trail (boardwalk through wetland and woods; bridge out on the February 2026 map) | 0.9 | Moderate |
| Fó:Si Trail (Coushatta word for bird; links Oak Flat to the boardwalk) | 0.5 | Moderate |
| Oak Flat Trail | 0.3 | Easy |
| Hawthorn Trail | 0.2 | Easy |
Miles as TPWD lists them; TPWD doesn’t say whether the lengths are one way or round trip.
Trail Tips
The trails are short, but a few conditions are worth knowing.
- Boardwalk: the February 2026 park map marks a bridge out on the Pineywoods Boardwalk Trail, so ask at headquarters about its current condition
- Mud: trails get muddy and can flood after heavy rain
- Bugs and plants: visitors mention poison ivy and late-summer spider webs. TPWD suggests insect repellent
- Horses: no horseback riding
- Maps: the interactive trails map shows every route
Birding and More Things to Do
Lake Livingston State Park sits where the East Texas Piney Woods meet the Post Oak Savanna, on a major bird migration route, so birding and wildflowers are a real part of a visit.
- Observation tower: the best view in the park, looking over Pine Island (the lake’s largest island), the day-use area and the pier. A favorite sunset spot
- Birding: more than 330 bird species have been recorded at the lake. Several pairs of bald eagles nest nearby, mostly seen in fall and winter, and red-headed and pileated woodpeckers live in the park
- Wildlife viewing area: a bird blind, pollinator garden and monarch waystation
- Ranger programs: free guided kayak and fishing programs, night hikes, photo hikes and geocaching. Check the park events calendar
- Family extras: playground, amphitheater, picnic areas with grills, an archery range (by reservation) and Junior Ranger Explorer Packs to borrow
Camping and Screened Shelters
Lake Livingston State Park has 143 campsites in six loops plus 10 screened shelters, and most sites are back-in RV sites with level concrete pads under tall pines. Piney Shores is the only loop with lake views, and it books up months ahead.
Campsite Types
Prices are TPWD’s per-night campsite rates, plus the daily entry fee. Full hookup means water, electricity and sewer at the site.
- Piney Shores (22 full-hookup sites, $30): lake view, with 20, 30 and 50 amp service
- Yaupon (37 full-hookup sites, $25)
- Red Oak (12 full-hookup sites, $25)
- Pin Oak (4 full-hookup sites, $22)
- Hercules Club (26 water and electric sites, $20)
- Pin Oak (26 water and electric sites, $18): heavily wooded
- Briar (16 water-only sites, $14): tents only. No RVs or generators
Screened Shelters
Screened shelters are roofed buildings with screened walls, a step up from a tent but not a cabin. The park has no cabins.
- Details: $35 a night, up to 8 people, electricity, a picnic table and a sleeping loft reached by ladder. Water and restrooms are nearby
- Rules: no pets, pop-ups or trailers. Some shelters have lake views
Reservations and Camp Rules
Lakefront sites go first, so book early.
- Reserve through Texas State Parks reservations up to five months ahead. Most accessible sites are booked by phone at (512) 389-8900
- Weekend stays need a 2-night minimum on Friday and Saturday. Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is noon
- Every site has a picnic table; hookup sites add a fire ring with grill and a lantern post
- Restrooms with showers serve the hookup loops; the Briar loop restroom has no showers listed
- Lakefront sites slope toward the water, so bring leveling blocks. Some sewer hookups sit mid-pad, so a long hose helps
- Groups of up to 50 can rent the Group Hall, an air-conditioned building with a lake-view deck, for $125 a day
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather at Lake Livingston State Park, and winter is the season for bald eagles. Weekdays are quietest all year.
- Spring (March to May): wildflowers, and crappie fishing peaks in spring and early summer. Bugs come out near the water
- Summer (June to August): July highs average 94°F. Busy weekends and holidays can sell out; on July 4, 2026, day visitors were turned away once the park filled
- Fall (September to November): comfortable weather, fewer bugs and the start of bald eagle season
- Winter (December to February): the best time to see bald eagles, with quieter weekdays
What Visitors Say
Lake Livingston State Park holds a 4.7 rating from about 3,900 Google reviews, and its 400 most recent reviews (August 2025 to October 2026) average 4.75. These themes come up again and again.
- Clean park: a clean, well-kept park is the most repeated compliment
- Setting: tall pines, shade and sunsets over the lake
- Campsites: level concrete RV pads and well-spaced sites. Lakefront sites are hard to book and sloped
- Fishing: pier and shoreline fishing with no license needed
- Staff: friendly rangers and good night hikes
- Restrooms: clean but dated, and they get hot in summer
- Cell signal: weak in the wooded loops; it’s better near the park store and boat ramp
- Trails: short and flat, and some find them plain
- Crowds: busy weekends and holiday sellouts. On July 4, 2026, day visitors were turned away once the park filled
- Wildlife: bugs near the water in spring and summer, and bold squirrels that raid unattended food
- Screened shelters: one detailed 2026 complaint about dirty shelters with rodents; most shelter reviews are positive
- Construction: work in fall 2026 brought noise and a water shutoff
Getting There
Lake Livingston State Park is at 300 Park Road 65, Livingston, TX 77351. From US 59 about 1 mile south of Livingston, take FM 1988 west, then FM 3126 north to Park Road 65.
Drive times to the park:
- Houston: about 1.5 hours from downtown
- Austin: about 4 hours
- Dallas: about 4 hours
- San Antonio: about 4 hours 45 minutes
A few things to know before driving out:
- Entry: pay at the entrance before driving in
- Busy days: the park often fills on weekends and holidays, so reserve a day pass to guarantee entry
Know Before You Go
Lake Livingston State Park is shady and easygoing, with a few lake and weather hazards. These rules and tips matter most.
- Fees and passes: $6 per adult per day; children 12 and under get in free. The Texas State Parks Pass ($70 a year) covers entry for the holder and guests
- Booking: the park often fills up, so TPWD recommends reserving a day pass ahead, especially for weekends and holidays. Day passes open up to one month ahead, campsites up to five months ahead
- Hours: the park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Dogs: on a 6-foot leash at all times. Not allowed in buildings, screened shelters or the Group Hall, or in a designated swim area. Pick up after them
- Water and shade: plenty of shade under the pines. Drinking water is at the campsites; carry water on the trails
- Difficulty: easy to moderate trails, mostly flat. Swimming is from bulkheads with no lifeguard
- Weather: July highs average 94°F. Bring insect repellent from spring through fall
- Wildlife: alligators live in the lake, and squirrels raid unattended food
- Current alerts (October 2026): a burn ban (no wood or charcoal fires; propane stoves allowed), low water at the boat ramps and construction closing some campsites through December 2026
- What to bring: insect repellent, water shoes for the bulkhead steps, water for the trails, and leveling blocks and a long sewer hose for RV sites
Check conditions first: burn bans, lake levels and construction closures change through the year. Check the Lake Livingston park alerts page or call (936) 365-2201 before driving out.
Nearby Parks
Three other TrekTexas guides cover Piney Woods parks and forests near Lake Livingston.
- Huntsville State Park: about 1.25 hours west, with Lake Raven and longer trails
- Sam Houston National Forest: national forest trails and camping west of the lake
- Davy Crockett National Forest: quieter Piney Woods trails farther north
- More ideas: Parks Near Houston
FAQ
Does Lake Livingston State Park have cabins?
No. The closest option is one of the 10 screened shelters, which have electricity and a sleeping loft; restrooms are nearby.
Is Lake Livingston man-made?
Yes. It’s a reservoir on the Trinity River, filled in 1969.
Is there a beach at Lake Livingston State Park?
No. Swimmers enter the lake from concrete bulkheads and steps along the day-use shoreline.
Can visitors rent kayaks at Lake Livingston State Park?
No. TPWD says the park no longer rents watercraft, so bring a kayak or canoe from home.
Sources and Official Links
Facts in this guide were last checked in October 2026 against these sources.
- Lake Livingston State Park (TPWD)
- Entrance fees and campsites (TPWD)
- Park map (PDF) and interactive trails map (TPWD)
- Park alerts and events calendar (TPWD)
- Swimming safety tips (TPWD)
- Texas State Parks reservations
Featured photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
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