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Texas
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Texas State Parks

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USA Parks
Texas
Piney Woods Region
Lake Livingston State Park
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Lake Livingston State Park © Larry D. Moore / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Picnicking in the tall pines of Lake Livingston State Park, Texas, United States
Lake Livingston State Park © Larry D. Moore / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A rental cabin at Lake Livingston State Park.
Lake Livingston State Park © Larry D. Moore / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Observation Tower at Lake Livingston State Park, Texas, United States
Lake Livingston State Park © Larry D. Moore / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day use area at Lake Livingston State Park, Texas, United States
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LAKE LIVINGSTON STATE PARK
LAKE LIVINGSTON STATE PARK
300 State Park Road 65
Livingston, Texas   77351
(lat:30.6647 lon:-95.0029) map location

Phone: 936-365-2201
Fishermen in boat in silhouette at sunset.The Trinity River and the surrounding valley have been home to a variety of cultures for centuries. Humans have long known about the valleys abundant natural resources.

TPWD opened Lake Livingston State Park in 1977. The park is located on 635 acres along the southeastern edge of Lake Livingston in Polk County.

Lake Livingston is one of the largest reservoirs in the state, with 83,000 surface acres. The lake is an impoundment of the Trinity River, and provides water for the city of Houston and other East Texas cities. It is ideal for boating and fishing because of its size and constant level.
Nature of the Area
Lake Livingston State Park lies on the southern edge of the East Texas Timber Belt. Trees at Lake LivingstonHere the gently rolling sandy soils of the timber belt meet the nearly-level clay lowlands of the Post Oak Savanna.

Nearly 50 inches of rain falls annually in this area. Mild temperatures average 51 degrees in the winter and 81 degrees in the summer. Highs in the summer sometimes reach 100 degrees. But dont worry you can cool off in Lake Livingston
History of the Area
The first humans here were hunter-gatherers, or Paleo-Indians. Signs of these people date back 12,000 years.

Pottery found at sites dated to about 2,200 years ago suggests that these early people were cultivating beans, corn and squash. Instead of constantly roaming, they had begun settling down.

When the Spanish and French began exploring East Texas in the early 16th century, native Atakapan-speaking peoples lived here. These included the Orcoquisacs, Bidais and Deadose.

As American settlers pushed west, diseases killed many of the local native people.

To repopulate the area, the Spanish encouraged Native American groups from the southeastern United States to move here by offering them land. The Spanish thought this would deter French and American settlers. Among these immigrants were the Alabama and Coushatta tribes, who live on tribal lands in the area today.

Swimming
1. Lake Livingston State Park offers a designated swimming area for visitors.
2. No lifeguards are on duty, so swim at your own risk.
3. Swimming is allowed during park hours from sunrise to sunset.
4. The lake's water temperature varies with the season, offering refreshing swims in summer months.
5. Visitors can also enjoy other water activities like boating and fishing besides swimming.
6. The sandy beach provides an ideal spot for sunbathing after a swim session.

Fishing
Anglers can enjoy fishing from the pier or boat, with options for bank and fly-fishing. Species include catfish, crappie, striped bass and largemouth bass. The park also offers a fish cleaning station.


Location
Lake Livingston State Park is located near Livingston

Picnicking
Lake Livingston State Park offers numerous picnic spots with tables, grills and stunning lake views. Some sites have shelters.
Bicycling
Bicycling enthusiasts can enjoy a 2-mile Pineywoods Nature Trail. Be aware, it's shared with hikers.

The trail offers scenic views but requires caution due to its uneven terrain and occasional wildlife crossings.

For those seeking less challenging routes, there are paved park roads available for cycling as well.

However, cyclists should be cautious of vehicular traffic on these paths during peak hours or weekends.

Always remember to wear helmets while biking in the area; safety is paramount amidst all recreational activities here.

Remember that night riding isn't permitted within this location - plan your rides accordingly.
Birding
Many waterfowl and shorebird species stop by Lake Livingston during their spring and fall migrations. Other birds spend the winter here. The lake is located along the Central North American Flyway and at the western edge of the Mississippi Flyway. This makes it an excellent bird-watching location.

The park has a unique combination of year-round bird residents due to its diverse habitats.

You might see forest species such as the downy woodpecker, red-shouldered hawk or tufted titmouse in one section of Lake Livingston State Park. Walk a few minutes toward the shoreline, and you might spot a double-crested cormorant, great egret or black-crowned night heron.

Both red-headed woodpeckers and pileated woodpeckers live in the park. These are uncommon birds with striking red, white and black patterns.

Bald Eagles Illustration of bald eagle clutching just-caught fish.Multiple pairs of bald eagles nest around Lake Livingston. You might see them from the shoreline at Lake Livingston State Park. Sightings occur most frequently during the fall and winter months, though you could spot a rare year-round resident at other times. These majestic birds feed mainly on the plentiful fish they find in the waters of Lake Livingston.

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Texas State Parks

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