Birch Creek State Park

At the end of well beaten highway lies one natures true beauties. Birch Creek State Park is a rare find, a park undisturbed by mans manipulations. This is truly a campers dream come true with only trees and clearings for a night under the stars. Further down a winding road, a panorama of Lake Somerville comes into view. Around the lake, picnic tables dot the landscape inviting families to spend the day in the sun.

Birch Creek State Park is one of the Texas State Parks located around Lake Somerville. In my opinion, it is one of the cleanest and safest places to spend the day resting and grilling. It has many recreational options such as boating, fishing, and swimming. Large pavilions available for family reunions or community functions along with a group dining hall. Almost every campsite offers a fire pit, Bar-B-Que pit, running water, and a shaded picnic table on a concrete slab. The need to watch T.V. is replaced by watching children play and deer grazing.

I have always enjoyed camping here. There are 103 campsites with electricity and water, however the option to camp more primitive is available. Whether you enjoy sleeping surrounded by woods or in flat clearing by the lake, the choice is there. I enjoy sleeping in a open field by the lake. This is probably the only time I can actually get eight hours of sleep. The lake offers quietness with only the sound of the water hitting the shore line. Absolute comfort.

However, I have slept in the woods of another campsite. Not as close to lake, but restroom and showers available within walking distance. The sounds of the trees creaking and leaves falling on my tent really made it more of a Blair Witch experience. Other than a fire, there is no light. My imagination got the best of me and I ended up sleeping with one-eye open for the rest of the night. And I wasn't the only one because when I woke up I was surrounded by my nieces and nephews.

Birch Creek also has many trails available for walking, bicycling, or horse-back riding. Here is where a thirteen mile trail to Nails Creek State Park either starts or ends. Nails Creek is located on the other side of the lake, either a thirty minute drive by car or five minutes by boat. This trail is pretty enduring, but very scenic to compensate.

There is another trail that goes from one side of Birch Creek to the other. This is the one we usually take the kids on because it is about two miles long and not as hilly. I do have to recommend wearing tennis shoes for bicycling on the trails. One time I made the mistake of wearing flip flops and my foot was grabbed by a tree root. I ended up walking about half mile back to my camp with blood gushing from underneath my big toe nail and two fractured toes. Definitely not the smartest thing I have ever done.

This multi-purpose park is surely a slice of heaven. Whether it is camping, bicycling, horse-back riding, swimming, fishing, boating, or grilling, this is a perfect park to escape the hassle of everyday life. The invitation to come out and play is written everywhere upon entrance. Living in a society with ever changing technology, it is good to know there are still places available to let a kid be a kid. And an excuse for adults to play as well.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us