Summary
The park is situated on the shores of Lake Livingston, which is the second largest lake in Texas. It covers an area of 635 acres and is a perfect place for outdoor lovers to spend a day or weekend.
One of the main reasons to visit Lake Livingston State Park is the variety of recreational activities available. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, camping, and picnicking. The park has a beach area, a boat ramp, and several hiking trails with scenic views of the lake.
There are also specific points of interest to see within the park, such as the Bur Oak Trail, which is an easy 1.2-mile hike that takes visitors through a forest of oak trees. The park also has a birdwatching area, where visitors can spot a variety of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.
Interesting facts about the area include that Lake Livingston was created in 1969 by the construction of the Livingston Dam on the Trinity River. The lake has a surface area of 90,000 acres and is a popular fishing spot, with several species of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish.
The best time of year to visit Lake Livingston State Park is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Summers can be hot and humid, and winters can be cold and rainy.
Overall, Lake Livingston State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for outdoor activities and scenic views in Texas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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