Birch Creek Campground

We stayed here 2 nights (Sun. & Mon.- so we missed weekend crowds) in April 2023 on the Old Hickory Loop of the Birch Creek Unit. This is yet another well maintained Texas state park but this one is FULL of birds, butterflies, & a wide variety of exquisite spring wildflowers. Campsites are very clean & well spaced; some surrounded by lush trees & vegetation, others are more open & look directly out to the lake. The lakeshore can usually be accessed by a little path from many of the wooded campsites. There is a network of (mostly) flat, wide, well-maintained trails for a variety of interests- biking, horseback riding, or families with young children. Several small stocked ponds provide family fishing opportunities. Bathrooms/ showers are CLEAN & updated. With no highway noise, we went to sleep to starlight & woke up to the symphony of songbirds. Although the Birch Creek Unit & Nails Creek Unit are contiguous by land, one must exit the park & drive at least 30 minutes on scenic country roads to reach the other park. Really- this is a beautiful park & a perfect site for a family camping event with plenty of nature all around.

This park has a great variety of sites.
Secluded, hollowed out of the thick woods with privacy.
Normal park site, under tree but open.
Open with lake view, easy access to the water.
Well maintained utilities. Has a headquarters with gift shop.
Lots of trails. On a bicycle may have to duck often.
Pretty good ways off of a major highway. No 18 wheeler or train noise.
Saw several blue herons, owls and vultures.
Things to look out for:
Not many spots you could park a 40 foot motor home. Best for rigs under 30 ft.
Some sites have a pretty good slant. I was able to level out with 2 two x six pieces.
Most of the sites don't have a view of the lake. Have to use a trail through the woods.
Ask for an "open" site if you want to see a sunset over the lake.
Most sites are level, several have slants. Most don't have a lot of room for slide outs.
Cell reception depends on site location. Open sites on east end are good. In the woods, not.
Wear long pants and use chigger repellent if taking trails or leaving mowed area.
If you just want to camp on the lake, the COE and marina parks are closer to hwy 36.
The COE parks are way cheaper with G.A. pass. The marina parks cost more.
If you want concrete paved pull thru's, and street lights this park isn't for you.
This park used to be COE, When the state took it over, they kept it natural.

This was our first visit to this state park. It’s well off the highway, nice and quiet. Spot was just enough for our 40’ camper, had to park the truck at an angle to fit but no problems. This space was close to the restrooms which we did not use but checked out and were not bad. Site was more or less level. Staff was great. There is a dollar general up the road about 6-7 miles that saved us from having to go into town, staff was friendly. Lake was beautiful and trails were well kept. Will definitely be back again.

I guess we got unlucky here, but our spot was at a complete angle. It would be fine if you have leveling tools, but we are just in a van so it didn’t work well for us.

BUT the view was absolutely amazing. We were the last spot on the drag so we had a beautiful view of the lake to wake up to.

Got attacked by fire ants near the picnic table :( be careful.

Would visit again though!

Our first time staying at this park was a great experience! Lots of wildlife and plenty of hiking trails. Lots of spots have trails leading to the lake relatively close by. We didn’t get in the lake, but it looks fantastic! Plenty of “beach” space to play in at the lake, with picnic tables as well. Very quiet during the week with very few people here! We stayed in site 69, which was great! Be prepared for lots of sand.

Came in around 6pm, greeted by state park police in the post-COVID opening to ensure we had a reservation.

Gate code came via email, so no issue there. Pretty well organized for no touch transaction.

Sites are large and private each with water and electricity. No sewage but that’s ok, it’s practice for boondocking. A lot of sites have Great Lake views.

Would come back.

A good size park with ample hiking and biking and fishing and boating opportunities. Some back in sites toward the boat ramp have great sunrise views over the lake. A Class A smartly pulled in forward while a 5er toy hauler w/deck backed in, both taking full advantage of this. Our site, 79, was very secluded as is the majority in this area, it looks as though they cut a road in the brush and then cut the campsites. Even at night when the campers lights are on seclusion & privacy existed. The facilities were very clean and plentiful throughout the park. I'll be back to this park for certain. There was a mix of RVs here from Class A to tent and some areas are more suited to each. The majority of sites will accommodate large RVs. My truck is 22' and the trailer is 21' ball to bumper and disconnected I still had 4' of room. Longer trailers park their trucks as needed as do the 40' Class A with toad, on an angle in front of the rig. In February it was a quiet two weeks here, only the weekends got lively as is expected. Brenham is a short drive for whatever in town needs you may have, and of course College Station is a little further. Washington On The Brazos is a great day trip from here.