Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway

Lake Somerville spreads over more than 11,000 acres between Austin and College Station, and the state park is made up of four units on its shores. Birch Creek lies on the north side of the lake and Nails Creek on the southwest, and the Lake Somerville Trailway, 13.11 miles long, links the two through woods and along the water. Somerville Public Hunting Land is nearby on the lake.

The trailway is the reason to come. It is open to hikers, mountain bikers and riders on horseback, with primitive campsites along the way, chemical toilets at intervals and side loops that bring the park's trails to nearly forty miles. Horses are also allowed on most trails at Nails Creek, which has equestrian campsites.

Both units have boat ramps, swimming and campsites with water and electricity, and both lend fishing gear. Anglers here take hybrid, largemouth and white bass, crappie and catfish, and no license is needed to fish from shore in a state park, though one is needed to fish from a boat. The park no longer rents watercraft. Rangers lead programs for school groups at both units, and the park asks visitors to read its water safety tips before swimming or boating.