Lake Livingston

East Texas, on the Trinity River — Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity & Walker counties, USA

Lake Livingston is one of Texas’s largest reservoirs, set in the Pineywoods about an hour north of Houston.

83,000 acres

Surface Area

90 ft

Max Depth

450 miles

Shoreline

1969

Created

Pamela DeBlasio

REALTOR®, Lake Homes Realty

Native Texan and longtime Lake Livingston resident, I bring 20+ years of local insight and a passion for helping clients find their dream homes—and turning them into lifelong friends.

936-328-1832

callpamdeblasio@gmail.com

www.PamSellsLakeLivingstonHomes.com

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About Lake Livingston

Lake Livingston spans ~83,000 acres at a normal pool of 131 ft above mean sea level, with ~450 miles of shoreline across Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties. The reservoir was created by the Trinity River Authority and the City of Houston by constructing Livingston Dam, which impounds the Trinity River. Average depth is about 23 ft with pockets to ~90 ft.

Unlike flood-control reservoirs, Livingston has no dedicated flood-storage capacity; releases through its 12 tainter gates generally mirror river inflows. That means day-to-day levels target the 131-ft conservation pool but can rise or fall with heavy rain events. The lake’s primary purpose is municipal and industrial water supply for multiple counties and Houston.

Key Features

Swimming Areas

Boating & Water Sports

Fishing (Diverse Species)

Marinas & Boat Services

Lake Livingston State Park & Sam Houston National Forest

Picnic Areas & Outdoor Leisure

Managed Water Levels

Wildlife Viewing

Quick facts (at-a-glance)

Location: East Texas, on the Trinity River — Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity & Walker counties.
Surface Area: ~83,000 acres at conservation pool.
Shoreline: ~450 miles.
Normal Pool Elevation: 131 ft above mean sea level.
Avg/Max Depth: ~23 ft average; ~90 ft max.
Year Impounded: Dam completed and lake filled in 1969.
Primary Uses: Municipal/industrial water supply, recreation.
State Park Access: Lake Livingston State Park with ramps, pier, bank fishing.
Invasive Species: Classified infested with zebra mussels—Clean, Drain, Dry.
Average Summer (Jun–Aug) High: ~93–95°F; July mean ~83°F.

Lake Livingston Vacation Homes For Rent

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Lake Lake Livingston EVENT GUIDE

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Lake Lake Livingston DINING GUIDE

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What you can do there

Boating & Paddling: Launch at state-park ramps or marinas for cruising, tubing, and wake sports. Calm coves suit kayaks/canoes; Wolf Creek Park and the state park offer convenient shoreline access and rentals in season.

Fishing: Target white bass on main-lake points and river channels (spring runs can be excellent). Blue, channel & flathead catfish bite year-round on cut bait; largemouth & striped bass around structure; crappie near brush and docks. Check special size/bag limits (e.g., white bass 10" min/25 daily; striped/hybrid 18" min/5).

Swimming & Beaches: Enjoy designated swim areas at Lake Livingston State Park; follow posted guidance and general water-safety rules.

Camping & Picnicking: Choose from full-hookup sites, screened shelters, and shaded picnic areas in the state park; TRA’s Wolf Creek Park offers RV sites, ramps, piers, and fish-cleaning stations (seasonal).

Wildlife & Nature: Bird the Pineywoods, watch for wading birds along coves, and explore nearby Sam Houston National Forest and Big Thicket National Preserve for trails and paddling routes.

Access, marinas & ramps

Public Access: TPWD lists six public boat ramps plus numerous private ramps around the lake (interactive access map).

State Park (Livingston): Three boat ramps, fishing pier, bank fishing, two fish-cleaning stations.

Wolf Creek Park (TRA): Ramps, fishing piers, marina/convenience services; seasonal operations.

Representative Marinas: Kickapoo Marina (Onalaska/Livingston area), Beacon Bay Marina & RV Park, Lake Livingston State Park Marina.

Safety & regulations

Life Jackets: In Texas, children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on vessels under 26 ft when underway; every passenger must have a wearable PFD on board (Type I/II/III), plus a throwable (Type IV) on boats ≥16 ft.
Fishing Rules: Livingston has special regulations for some species—check TPWD’s current bag/size limits before you go.
Invasives: Lake Livingston is zebra mussel-infested—by law, Clean, Drain, Dry boats and gear to prevent spread.
Water Levels: Expect fluctuations tied to Trinity River inflow (no flood-storage pool). Monitor TRA updates, especially after heavy rain.
Weather Precautions: Monitor forecasts and avoid boating during severe weather or high-wind conditions.

Gallery

Nearby highlights & suggested day trips

Lake Livingston State Park – Trails, paddling, ranger programs, and family-friendly amenities on the south shore.
Sam Houston National Forest – Trailheads, camping, paddling, and the Lone Star Hiking Trail within an hour’s drive.
Big Thicket National Preserve – Boardwalks, hiking loops, and scenic paddling in a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
Huntsville State Park – 21 miles of trails, swimming area, rentals; an easy add-on to a lake weekend.

Events & community

The region’s outdoor calendar revolves around state-park programs, fishing tournaments, and seasonal happenings in nearby towns. Lake Livingston State Park hosts nature and skills programs, while the area attractions list also highlights the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe’s annual powwow each June—a cultural standout that draws visitors from across Texas. Local marinas and parks occasionally organize fishing derbies and holiday events; check park and marina pages for dates.