Our Visit to Yegua Creek Park on Lake Somerville:
Video: Yegua Creek Park on Lake Somerville, Somerville TX
Our Campsite at Yegua Creek Park
Following our week-long stay at Rocky Creek Park, we traveled a whopping 4 miles to another section of Lake Somerville and another Corps of Engineers (COE) park, Yegua Creek Park. Even though these sister parks are located close to each other, on the same lake, and operated by the same federal organization, the experience was very different.
Our campsite at Yegua Creek Park (site number 41) was incredibly shaded, backed up to a meadow frequented by herds of deer, and included 30/50amp electricity and water. Our site also included a picnic table, fire pit and very nice BBQ grill which we used throughout the week. While we did not have a waterfront site, we could see the lake from two directions.
During the week, the park was very quiet. It filled up to capacity on the weekend, but it did not have a party vibe during our stay. We saw a lot of families and couples who seemed to be there mostly to relax.
While we enjoyed amazing sunrises across the lake at Rocky Creek Park, here at Yegua we loved taking in the amazing sunsets over Lake Somerville!
Sunset at Yegua Creek Park
There are two distinct camping areas at Yegua Creek Park. The section we camped in has a lot of mature trees which offer fantastic shade and an opportunity to watch birds and squirrels. "Waterfront" sites in this section mostly have unobstructed views of the water without actual access to the lake due to a drop off from the land to the water.
The other camping area has far fewer trees, but has a good number of campsites that offer direct access to the water. Folks with boats and watercraft may prefer the access to the lake in this section. But for us, we really loved the shade and would choose our section again.
There is a beach area near the center of the park for swimming or putting kayaks/canoes into the lake, but the water was pretty choppy for most of our stay so we opted not to kayak on this trip. Lake Somerville is popular amongst boaters and is a rather large lake, so rough water can be a problem for novice paddlers.
While we were disappointed to find only one hiking trail, it was a 1.5 mile nature trail that was an interesting walk. And we saw deer while we hiked. The trail was well-marked and in good shape with the exception of a bridge that was crossable, but needs repair.
During our stay, Yegua Creek Park was very clean and well-maintained. We would definitely visit again in the future. Campsites are back-in, and there are a few sites that can hold bigger rigs. Advance reservations are required.
Y'all know that one of our favorite things about RVing is the people that we meet. Our neighbors at Yegua Creek Park were Ronnie and Shirley. We had a fantastic time visiting with them and even got to go out fishing on their boat! So much fun!
Boating With Ronnie and Shirley
The History of Yegua Creek:
We talk about the history of Lake Somerville in our post on Rocky Creek Park, the sister COE park to Yegua Creek Park. So we figured, in this post, we'd share a bit about the history of Yegua Creek.
Yegua Creek (pronounced "Yay-wah") is a 31-mile tributary of the Brazos River. It runs between the Brazos River and Lake Somerville. It was first noted in 1690 by Spanish Explorer Alonso De Leon, who called it the San Francisco. De Leon led multiple Spanish expeditions in what would later become Texas and served as Governor of Coahuila before founding the first Spanish Mission in Texas with Chaplain Damian Massanet (also in 1690). Mission San Francisco de los Tejas is memorialized today at Mission Tejas State Park. De Leon is also credited with playing a role in the development of Old San Antonio Road, also known as El Camino Real or "the King's Highway".
When mapping the San Francisco in 1822, Stephen F Austin (the Father of Texas) referenced it as Yegua which is Spanish for "mare". Historians believe he chose the reference because wild Mustang mares and foals grazed in large numbers along the creek.
In laying out counties, Texas President Sam Houston designated Yegua Creek as a county boundary between Burleson and Washington Counties in 1837.
Fishing Lake Somerville
Yes, We Caught Fish!
Things to Do at Yegua Creek Park:
Boating: Boats and jet skis are popular at Yegua Creek Park. Folks with waterfront campsites could anchor their boats right behind their sites. There is no marina in this park. Because the park is small, the boat ramps are easily accessible from any campsite.
Paddling: There are no rentals here, but if you bring your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard, you can put-in at the swimming area. Folks with water access sites can also paddle directly from the shore behind their campsites.
Fishing: Yegua Creek Park has a small fishing pier near the boat ramps. Visitors can also bank fish or fish from their boats. During our stay, we caught catfish and perch. Lake Somerville also contains crappie and bass. A Texas fishing license is required to fish at Yegua Creek Park.
Star Watching Deer
Hiking Trail at Yegua
Hiking: Yegua Creek is home to one hiking trail. The Yegua Creek Nature Trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail with benches. Most of the trail is shaded. The trailhead is across from the swimming area. Information on the plants marked along the trail is available at the gatehouse. Though most of the trail is easy, it is not accessible for folks with mobility issues due to large rocks on bridges and other obstacles that deter bikers from using the trail.
Bird Watching: Like its sister park, Rocky Creek, Yegua Creek is home to a variety of birds including fishing birds.
Wildlife Viewing: Deer are plentiful at this park and can often be seen crossing the main park road, on the nature trail, and in the meadow behind the primary camping areas.
Swimming: Yegua Creek Park features a designated beach-style swimming area in the center of the park. This no-wake area of the lake is a small protected alcove and has parking nearby. Some of the campsites also have direct water access. There are no lifeguards.
Other Amenities at Yegua Creek Park:
Biking: There are no trails for bicycles in Yegua Creek Park. But you can bike the park roads as a way to explore the park.
Yegua Creek Park Details:
Open Year Round? Yes
Peak Season: March - September
Non-Peak Season: October - February
Reservations Available: 6 Months Prior to Camping Date
Check-In Time: 3:00 pm
Check-Out Time: 2:00 pm
Maximum Stay Allowed: 14 days
Park Gate: Yes
Gate Open: 6am - 10pm. NO ENTRY after hours.
ATT Cell Coverage: Good
Total RV/Tent Sites: 66
Total Tent Only Sites: 15
Contact Lake Somerville Yegua Creek Park:
Park Address: 12563 Yegua Creek Park Road, Burton TX 77835
US Army COE Somerville Lake Office Phone: 979.596.1622
Reservations Phone: 877.444.6777
Reserve a Campsite at Yegua Creek Park (Somerville Lake) Online
Visit the Somerville Lake COE Park Website
Check Somerville Lake Facility Open/Close Status and Lake Levels
RV and Tent Camping at Yegua Creek Park:
Wooded Camping Loops
Total Sites: 41
Site Numbers: 1 - 41
30/50 Amp Electricity
Electric and Water Hookups
Back-In Sites
Some Big Rig Friendly
Most of these sites are shaded and some have direct water views. Some back up to a meadow where the deer roam throughout the day.
Water Access Camping Loop
Total Sites: 25
Site Numbers: 51 - 56, 65 - 83
30/50 Amp Electricity
Electric and Water Hookups
Back-In Sites
Big Rig Friendly
Most sites in this section are waterfront sites with direct access to the lake. This section is closest to the boat ramps. There is limited shade in this area.
Campsites include a picnic table, BBQ grill, and fire pit. Parking is on gravel. Some are shaded, some are not. Some are waterfront, allowing you to park your kayaks, boat or other water toys right behind your campsite. Sites in the less shaded area have a shade structure over the picnic table.
A large row of trash dumpsters are located near the dump stations. Each camping loop includes a restroom with showers. They were clean during our visit.
Yegua Creek has 2 dump stations. One is located on the main entry/exit road of the park, and the other is just down from it between the main park road and the loop road leading to campsites 1-13.
Tent Only Camping at Yegua Creek Park:
Total Sites: 15
Site Numbers: 42-50, 57-60, 63-64
Primitive Camping
No Electric or Water Hookups
Park at the campsite or very nearby. Each campsite has a picnic table, BBQ grill and fire ring. Restrooms with showers are located within the tent area.
Yegua Creek Park Information:
Year Opened: Lake Somerville was impounded in 1967 and dedicated in 1968.
Discount Passes Accepted: Golden Age and Golden Access Passport holders receive half price camping.
CCC Park? No
Park Store? No
Pet Policy: Pets are allowed throughout the park and on the trail, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed in buildings.
Lodging Options at Yegua Creek Park on Lake Somerville: RV Camping, Tent Camping
Yegua Creek Park, Lake Somerville Reviews: Campendium, Campground Reviews, RV Parky, No TripAdvisor Reviews of Yegua Creek Park, Yelp,
Google Reviews
Amenities: lake access, forest, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, paddling, swimming, boating
Operated By: the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
Region: Central Texas
Nearest Towns: Somerville TX (8 miles), Burton TX (13 miles), Brenham TX (16 miles)
View the Yegua Creek Park Map
Trails for Yegua Creek Park are shown on the main park map.
Learn More About Fishing at Lake Somerville
Weather at Lake Somerville Yegua Creek Park
Tags: COE Parks, Central Texas, Corps of Engineers Parks
