Things to do in Livingston TX especially if you love exploring the outdoors are plenty.
A friend of mine is looking for an outdoor adventure destination near Houston, Texas and he reached out to me to help him with research.
That’s how we came across Lake Livingston in Texas.
Lake Livingston is among the largest lakes in the state of Texas and is located in East Texas Piney Woods, which is 80 miles north of the city of Houston.
The lake was originally constructed to supply water to the neighboring areas and is run by the Trinity River Authority of Texas.
The lake is 7 miles wide and 39 miles long and comprises 450 miles of shoreline that includes many amazing campgrounds and homes.
It is ideal for a getaway and has many attractions and fun things to do if you happen to visit.
In this post, I will go over 15 of the best things to do in Livingston TX.
Let’s dive straight into it.
Things to Do in Livingston TX.
Visit Lake Livingston State Park
Lake Livingston state park is a haven when it comes to venturing the outdoors.
The park is located near Livingston in Polk County Texas.
It is situated in the Southern part of the Piney Woods region of the state, which is about an hour North of Houston.
The park was opened back in the year 1977 and has an area of approximately 635 acres along Lake Livingston.
Here you can enjoy swimming in the designated areas especially during the summer.
You can rent life jackets, tubes and other swimming equipment at the local marinas.
If you don’t feel like renting this equipment, you bring your own water accessories when visiting.
Alternatively, you can try your luck in fishing.
The lake offers several fishing opportunities and you can bring your own boat or fish along the shoreline.
Boating is also another popular activity in the area.
Other favorite activities that you can engage in include hiking, birdwatching, camping, picnicking and mountain biking.
Visiting and exploring Livingston State Park is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Physical Address: 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston, TX 77351, United States
Contact: +1 936-365-2201
Explore Naskila Gaming
Naskila Gaming is a casino located in Livingston, Texas.
The landscape and the surrounding areas are clean and neat and they often have breathtaking views for driving and taking pictures around the casino.
Naskila Gaming has approximately 800 electronic bingo games which you can enjoy playing.
You can book tours and activities before visiting Naskila Gaming.
After winning big at the games, you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants in the area.
Visitors can save money by making package deals for the trip to Naskila Gaming.
Bingo games are the most popular games at this facility.
These games are known for their light-flashing and bell-ringing features which provide fun and gaming experience for the visitors.
In addition to the bingo games, the gaming facility offers a variety of electronic gaming machines that include slot machines and electronic table games.
These games will provide you with a wide range of options to choose from and enjoy during your visit to Naskila Gaming.
The gaming center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and this means that you can enjoy the gaming experience at any time, whether it’s during the day or late at night.
Enjoying playing games at Naskila Gaming is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX
Physical Address: 540 State Park Rd 56, Livingston, TX 77351, United States
Contact: +1 936-563-2946
Check Out the Livingston Dam
Livingston Dam located across the Trinity River in Texas, near the city of Livingston, is one of the spots worth checking out.
This dam was designed by Brown and Root, Inc. and construction began in 1966.
It was completed on August 29th, 1969 by Forrest and Cotton Incorporated.
The Dam is approximately 4 miles long and it acts as a barrier to create Lake Livingston, which is among the largest lakes in the state of Texas.
One key function of the dam is flood control.
Lake Livingston was built without flood control or flood storage capabilities.
Water entering the lake must exit when increased Intake occurs.
This is where the dam plays a crucial role.
The flow through the Dam is controlled by 12 tainter gates in a concrete and steel spillway.
If you’re planning to visit this dam, there are several restaurants available near the dam for accommodation.
Additionally, there are several fun activities to do near Livingston Dam.
They include camping, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, shopping and learning about the history of the area.
Some of the best restaurants where you can grab a bite of your favorite snack or meal include Joe’s Italian Grill, Florida’s Kitchen, Pit Row Pit Stop, The Hop and Blue Duck Kitchen.
Checking out Livingston Dam Is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Visit Pedigo Park
Pedigo Park is another gem worth checking out if you are visiting the town of Livingston Texas.
This haven offers a number of outdoor activities and natural surroundings.
The park has two points where you can fish and enjoy feeding ducks.
If you love playing ball games, then be excited because Pedigo Park has fields for softball, baseball, soccer and many more.
Other amenities in the park include picnic shelters and pavilions that are available for use by the visitors.
Pedigo Park offers a welcome respite from the concrete jungle and offers amazing natural surroundings for you to enjoy.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy the outdoors, appreciate nature and relax, then Pedigo Park is the place to be.
Physical Address: 925 US-59, Livingston, TX 77351, United States
Contact: +1 936-327-5242
Hike or Bike in Sam Houston National Forest
If you’re a hiking or biking enthusiast, then I advise you to check out the Sam Houston National Forest.
This forest offers a variety of trails both for biking and hiking purposes.
Biking
There is a developed mountain bike trail located in the Double Lake Recreation Area.
Other bicycles can utilize the established forest service roads.
In total, there are 9 mountain trails in Sam Houston National Forest ranging from easy to difficult.
Trailforks.com provides detailed information on each trail including the difficulty levels, elevation gain and the length.
The Sam Houston National Forest offers multi-use trail designated and developed for hiking biking, horses and registered off-highway vehicles, making it the only trail open to OHVs in the National Forests in Texas.
The forest has several other trails that are suitable for mountain biking including the LBJ Multi-use Trail System and the Sam Houston multiple-use Trails.
Hiking
If you’re interested in hiking, here is all that you need to know.
The Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas and runs through the Sam Houston National Forest.
This trail offers a variety of hiking options including day hikes and overnight backpacking trips.
The Double Lake Recreation Area has several hiking trails including the Double Lake Trail, which is a 2.8-mile loop trail that is suitable for all skill levels.
The forest offers 85 miles of multi-use trails designated and developed for hiking biking, horses and off-highway vehicles.
You can choose from easy to difficult trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the forest.
Indeed, hiking and biking in Sam Houston National Forest is definitely among the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Experience Butterfly Migration at the Monarch Butterfly Migration Trail
If you want to experience the spectacle of butterflies migrating, then head over to the Monarch Butterfly Migration Trail.
The monarch butterfly migration trail traverses through Lake Livingston and is one of the two principal flyways that butterflies use during their fall migration.
The trail is a 300-mile-wide path which stretches from Wichita Falls to Eagle pass and monarchs enter the Texas portion of this flyway during the last days of September.
If you happen to visit during the fall period, you can encounter the mesmerizing cloud of butterflies migrating to Mexico.
Alternatively, you can watch the same colorful cloud of butterflies during the spring period as they return to the United States.
The Lake Livingston Area is the prime viewing spot for the Monarchs and you can watch them blanket trees and shrubs in orange and black.
The Monarch butterfly migration is an important event for Texas as the state is located between the principal breeding grounds in the North and overwintering areas in Mexico.
Watching the monarch blankets trees and shrubs during their migration in the fall period is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Go Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities in Livingston Texas.
Livingston Texas offers several options for horseback riding.
Some of the top-rated horseback riding options in Livingston TX include Loveland Ranch,
Tempe Creek Ranch, Faith Ridin Stables, and Horse and Soul.
Most of these horse-riding service providers offer guided tours for inexperienced riders.
You can make your children’s trip even more fun-tastic by allowing them to feed and pet the horses in their stables.
The minimum age requirement for horseback riding in Livingston Texas varies depending on the ranch or stable.
For example, Tempe Creek Ranch’s minimum age for horseback riding in 7 years.
Therefore, I strongly advise you to check with stables and ranches for their specific minimum age requirement before booking a horseback riding tour or lesson.
Camp at Wolf Creek Park
Wolf Creek Park is a lakeside park located in Texas that offers a serene camping environment.
The park offers over 100 spacious camping sites with 54 with full hookups for RVs, and 48 campsites with electricity and water.
All these camping areas have picnic tables, above ground grills, and fire rings.
The camping season runs from the month of March to November and there are primitive sites available for $20 per night.
Each primitive site can hold up to 8 individuals or 8 people in one camper and one tent.
The park also has a boat ramp, a marina, sand courts and a playground show.
Once you visit, you can enjoy swimming, hiking, water skiing and fishing.
The park marina offers paddleboat, kayak, canoe, miniature golf, rentals, fishing licenses and baits.
If you happen to visit with your family, you can enjoy playing several games such as sand volleyball and basketball and many more.
Additionally, the park has a unique playground for children.
To reserve a campsite at wolf Creek Park, visit the Trinity River Authority website or ReserveAmerica.
Indeed, camping at the Wolf Creek Park is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Physical Address: MV73+H6, 21 Wolf Crk Pk Rd, Coldspring, TX 77331, United States
Contact: +1 936-653-4312
Visit the Polk County Memorial Museum
If you’re a history lover, visiting the Polk County Memorial Museum is definitely one of the top things to engage in while visiting the Livingston locality.
This museum was established in early 1960s Governor John Connally issued a proclamation to each county in Texas to begin recording and preserving their history.
The museum features exhibits highlighting the history and heritage of East Texas, including Native American artifacts and other local history exhibits.
Additionally, the museum holds special events and educational programs.
Admission to the museum is available and can be made by contacting the museum directly.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM but hours of opening are subject to change.
So, it is advisable to check the museum’s website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.
Learning the history of East Texas in this museum is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX
Physical Address: 514 W Mill St, Livingston, TX 77351, United States
Contact: +1 936-327-8192
Stay on an Island
Alternatively, you can go and explore Pine Island on Lake Livingston.
The island is located in the southern end of Lake Livingston which is a man-made reservoir on the Trinity River.
The island has an area of approximately 0.21 square miles and has 10 to 30 ft high sand bluffs on all sides.
However, to get there, you have to rent a boat.
There is a road on the island known as Pine Island Road that leads from the access points to the center of the island.
Pine island is a popular destination for recreational boaters and fishermen where boats can be seen anchored offshore.
However, no services are available on the island and in 2018, an alligator population was reported.
The management often warns swimmers and boaters to practice safety measures and exercise caution around the alligators.
There are many vacation rentals available in the area including a lakefront home with a boat house and kayaks, a beautiful lake house with a hot tub and boat house, and a lakefront vacation rental with kayaks.
Enjoying a visit today unique man-made island is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX
Visit Old City Cemetery
If you.re a history lover, then consider dropping by the Old Cemetery.
The Old Cemetery is the historic graveyard located in Livingston Texas.
It was established in 1840 with the burial of four-year-old Josephus Choate, the son of one of the town’s founders.
During your visit, you will learn that the cemetery went on to act as the final resting place for many of the earliest members of the community.
Some of the notable figures buried in the cemetery in Include James F. Edmonds, James Garner and William James Johnson
While visiting, you can see the cemetery sign and historical marker.
The cemetery is open to the public and you can visit during the day.
It is a peaceful place to visit if you’re interested in the history and genealogy of the founding members of this town.
The cemetery serves as a reminder of the area’s rich history and the contributions made by the founding members of this town.
Enjoy a Night Under the Stars
One of my favorite activities I love doing during the night is stargazing.
If you are looking to enjoy a night under the stars in Livingston, TX, there are several options available.
You can join a park ranger and volunteers on a night of deep sky exploration of the solar system.
During this time, you can view constellations and distant galaxies at lake Livingston state park.
Alternatively, you can use the sky map showing the night sky tonight in Livingston Texas to see what planets are visible and where they are located.
Last but not least, you can take a night bus from Livingston to Baltimore and count the stars along the way.
Additionally, Livingston TX has a number of hotels and vacation rentals where you can stay overnight and enjoy the stars from the comfort of your own space.
You can also consider camping at Lake Livingston state park and other nearby parks.
Some of the best places to go stargazing in Livingston Texas and nearby areas include Lake Livingston State Park, Davy Crockett National Forest, Davis Mountains State Park and the McDonald Observatory at the Indian Lodge State Park.
Going on a stargazing adventure is indeed one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Go Fishing or Kayaking on Lake Livingston
If you love fishing, Lake Livingston offers fantastic fishing and kayaking opportunities in Livingston, Texas.
You can engage in an exciting fishing adventure where buy fishing can be done from either the shore, pier or boat.
Some of the Species but are found on the lake include catfish, bass and crappie.
Other species include the white bass, hybrid striped bass and the bluegill.
Kayaking is also another popular way to explore Lake Livingston.
The lake provides ample opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, SUP, and row boating.
You can rent kayaks and fishing gear from local outfitters or bring your own equipment.
Lake Livingston State Park also offers boat rentals.
One of the best sports for fishing on Lake Livingston is Harmon Creek.
Here you can catch Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass and Crappie.
Going for a fishing adventure is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Enjoy Playing a Round of Golf
If you love playing golf, the area around Livingston has many golf courses where you can enjoy playing golf while taking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding lake area.
Some of the best options include the Whispering Pines Golf Club that has a challenging course, the Cope Royale Golf Course that is located near Livingston and offers scenic views and the Livingston Municipal Golf Course that provides a convenient option for golfers.
These golf courses provide different levels of experience and difficulty levels.
You can enjoy the scenic surroundings while playing a round of golf.
I recommend checking out the availability, tee times and any additional information before setting out to golf.
Enjoying golfing at these golf courses is definitely one of the best things to do in Livingston, TX.
Go on a Bird Watching Adventure
If you are looking to go on a bird watching adventure in Livingston Texas, there are several options available to you.
Stepoutside.org provides information on bird watching near Livingston Texas.
You can find trails and explore new areas for bird watching.
Another area you can go bird-watching is the Lake Livingston area.
Lake Livingston is an outstanding destination in the eastern part of Texas that offers a unique experience for RV camping and bird-watching
It provides a beautiful setting to observe a variety of bird species.
Some of the species you can spot on your bird watching adventure include the Bald Eagles, Ospreys and other birds of prey.
Alltrails.com provides a detailed list of the best bird watching trails in Livingston.
These trails have been hand-curated and include detailed reviews, driving directions and photos.
Lake Livingston State Park has three bird watching trails with an average of 4.1 stars rating.
Remember to bring your binoculars, comfortable walking shoes and a field guide.
Also ensure you check the weather conditions and any specific guidelines or regulations for bird watching in the area.
Final Thoughts on Things to do in Livingston, TX
Livingston Texas is full of opportunities that you can explore if you’re looking for an exciting destination in Texas.
Things to do in Livingston, TX are definitely plenty and you can spend a weekend relaxing in these serene environments with your family and loved ones.
So, book your trip and experience what Livingston Texas has to offer!
