Rayburn RV Hideout - A rustic campground for RV and tent camping located in the Pney Woods of East Texas at Lake Sam Rayburn providing great fishing and outdoor experiences!

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Camping in the great outdoors of East Texas includes walking in the Piney Woods, enjoying fishing or water recreation on Lake Sam Rayburn and exploring what the Lake Sam Rayburn - Jasper area has to offer.  Our park is surrounded on 3 sides by Corps of Engineer land that is open to all to enjoy.  Located at the West end of the campground the natural trail wanders down to Lake Sam Rayburn.  Walking the trail to the lake takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how fast you walk.  Part of the trail follows Squirrel Creek and depending on the lake water level you might be able to hear a little water fall.  The Corps of Engineer regulations prohibit any motor vehicle, improvements, tree cutting or any improvements on their land.  Under brushing and mowing of area's is permitted with a permit.  The trail is in a natural forest element complete with natural growth and decay.  For your convenience the trail is marked with red tape tied to trees and it does cross two small washes that feed into Lake Sam Rayburn.

Since the trail is in a natural forest setting caution should be used in walking the trail for natural hazards, animals, insects and reptiles that were here before us.  Feeding any wild animal is always a temptation which should be avoided as it will cause the animals to enter the camping area in search of a free handout.

As in the park there are many different kinds of trees on the way down to the lake.  Spring and summer camping allow you to be lulled to sleep by the wind and sounds in the night air.  Fall and winter camping brings a different look with the turning of the leaves and when the leaves have all fallen opening up the forest to the winter sun. 

Different seasons also bring different birds to the area.  The spring and fall migration of ducks, geese and robins is always a site to see.  You can sometimes here and see a woodpecker working on a tree.  You might surprise a duck or two at the lakes edge and hear them take off with a indigent quack at you for disturbing them.  You might also catch a deer grazing or getting a drink at the lakes edge.  Each day brings a different scene.

Natural Trail  at Rayburn RV Hideout
January 2003

Top of the trail leaving Rayburn RV Hideout Magnolia tree - one of many around the park The trail follows Squirrel Creek for a short time.

 Along the trail you can see new growth trees to towering older growth. Just over the rise is Squirrel Creek on its way to Lake Sam Rayburn The trail climbs some gentle hills before each creek.

 In the distance, Lake Sam Rayburn This is the cove where Squirrel Creek drains into. A nice little place to just sit and watch the lake, have a picnic or try your luck out with a fishing pole. Don't forget your license!

Natural Trail
May 2003

Starting down the trail from Rayburn RV Hideout Lots of shade trees down to the lake and around the park. Dogs love to run down to the lake here! Squirrel Creek is visible from the trail and has some great fishing holes with the lake at normal pool. Pines, oaks and magnolia trees shade the trail to Lake Sam Rayburn

A few hills and valleys on the way to the lake. Reece running towards the cool waters of Lake Sam Raburn to see if a duck is swimming along the shore. A nice shaded grassy area at the lake edge. Bring a lawn chair, good book and just plain relax.

Swimming on a hot summer day! Reece heading out to get a stick, great place to let your dog get wet! Please throw the stick again and I promise I won't shake on you! Enjoy a picnic lunch and just relax your worries away......

Squirrel Creek
January 2003

Looking down from the park at Squirrel Creek. The lake level as above normal pool at this time. Going to do some exploring with a kayak Depending on the lake level you can throw in a line and try your luck. This picture was taken with the lake above normal pool.

Kayaking and enjoying Lake Sam Rayburn
January 2003.

Kayaking on Squirrel Creek. Lake level was above normal pool. Thanks to Bob and Beth for kayaking. Squirrel Creek is wide and slow flowing at this point. Down Squirrel Creek out to Lake Sam Rayburn You can stay in this cove or paddle out farther into the lake. There are a couple islands at the end of this cove.

You can just drift around in the cove. You can always beach your boat and enjoy some time on the land. This is at the end of the Natural Trail to the lake. My sister wants me to put down my camera and give her a shove off. Paddling back up Squirrel Creek

Fawn resting near the Natural Trail to the lake
June 2005 

Can you see the fawn in the picture? It is there! The fawn never moved while these pictures were taken. The fawn was about a foot of the trail. Never saw the mother of the fawn but no doubt she was close by.

I spotted the fawn on my daily walk to the lake with my dog Reece, I went back and got my camera and the fawn was still there. The fawn did know I was present and kept an eye on me. Since deer normally rest in the day Mom had bedded down this little fawn. The fawn is still there...it is very hard to see


Sunset on Lake Sam Rayburn at the end of the Natural Trail
August 2005


 A summer sunset at the end of the Natural Trail at Rayburn RV Hideout on Lake Sam Rayburn. Picture by Paul Chatman. Nothing is better than a Texas sunset! Picture by Paul Chatman. What a way to end a day! Picture by Paul Chatman. These were taken about a month before Hurricane Rita. Picture by Paul Chatman.

Summer sunsets can be awesome at Lake Sam Rayburn. Picture by Paul Chatman. Lake Sam Rayburn is the largest lake in the State of Texas. Picture by Paul Chatman. Texas is a great vacation destination. The Jasper/Lake Sam Rayburn area has a lot to offer! Picture by Paul Chatman.

Sunset at Lake Sam Rayburn. Picture by Paul Chatman. The day is almost done. Picture by Paul Chatman. One last look before heading back up the trail to Rayburn RV Hideout. Picture by Paul Chatman.

Rare Snowfall
December 11, 2008

Pine branch in rare snowfall at Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas. Rayburn RV Hideout sign with a blanket of snow around it. Looking down FM-1007 on a December day with a rare snowfall. Upper loop road with a rare snowfall. Camping was a bit fun this day!

Looking down the upper loop road Magnolia tree with snow covered leaves. Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas Reece heading down the trail to Lake Sam Rayburn. The lake is about 4/10 of a mile from the campground. Heading down the first hill. Watch your step in this rare snowfall.

Crossing the first creek on the way to Lake Sam Rayburn. Looking down after crossing the first creek. Camping can be interesting at times! The waterfall on Squirrel Creek which runs along the trail. Depending on the lake level you can see and hear this fall. Hard to see the trail from the campground to the lake in this rare snowfall.

Notice the melt water running down the trail on the way to the lake. This is the second hill when heading down to the lake. Second creek crossing on the way to the lake. Arriving at the lake. Notice the low water level. Looking at the cove from the bench at Lake Sam Rayburn.

Looking South from the end of the trail. The sandbar in the distance is normally underwater. Small pine tree with snow in the branches at Lake Sam Rayburn. Snow melting on a small tree. Leaf in a puddle with a coating of frost.

Looking up the hill heading into Rayburn RV Hideout. Camping in December can be in shorts or pants! Log across the first creek on the way to the lake. Looking towards the main drive from the lower loop. The lower loop in a rare snowfall at Rayburn RV Hideout.

Rare snowfall at Rayburn RV Hideout - Sam Rayburn Texas - December 11, 2008 

Wildlife and Flowers around Lake Sam Rayburn and
Rayburn RV Hideout

Spring brings out the Dogwood blooms in and around Rayburn RV Hideout This small Dogwood is located near Site 5 at Rayburn RV Hideout. Brilliant white flowers mark where the Dogwoods are. Dogwood Blooms around Site 2 at Rayburn RV Hideout Spring of 2005.

Dogwood blooms near Site 2 at Rayburn RV Hideout Spring 2005 before Hurricane Rita later that year. This Magnolia bloom was near the Bathhouse. They generally last only a couple of days. Spring brings out many wildflowers. This was taken out front of Rayburn RV Hideout. Daisy blooming in a little patch out front of Rayburn RV Hideout.

Looking up the hill out front of Rayburn RV Hideout. A little stand of sunflowers in the grassy area out front of Rayburn RV Hideout Brookeland Texas. Fall brings out some vivid colors at Lake Sam Rayburn. Spring flowers at Rayburn RV Hideout Brookeland TX

Mimosa Tree in Bloom in the park at Rayburn RV Hideout. Close up of a Mimosa bloom at Rayburn RV Hideout Mimosa trees bloom in the spring around May and traditionally tell there is no more cold weather due. Mimosa tree in the park Spring 2005. This was before Hurricane Rita in September.

Mimosa Tree on the main drive. Close up of a Mimosa Bloom.

Cruising in the great outdoors at Lake Sam Rayburn. Picture by Judy Livingston Pelicans are one of many birds that call Lake Sam Rayburn home. Photo by Judy Livingston Close up of the pelicans. Photo by Judy Livingston You should always keep your camera handy on the lake. Photo by Judy Livingston

Hey....your getting a little too close! Photo by Judy Livingston Pelicans in flight at Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Judy Livingston Pelicans in flight at Lake Sam Rayburn Texas. Notice the stump sticking out of the water. Photo by Judy Livingston Two point landing at Lake Sam Rayburn Texas. Photo by Judy Livingston

As in all lakes in the South there are gators in the lake. Photo by Judy Livingston. Gators are more frequent in the upper part of the lake. Photo by Judy Livingston. Gators like most animals will avoid contact unless you surprise or tease them. Caution should be used in mating season however because gators can become aggressive. Photo by Judy Livingston. One of the native Texans! Photo by Judy Livingston.

This butterfly stopped by while fishing on Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Judy Livingston. Baby Nutri-rat. Photo by Judy Livingston. Mama Nutri-rat. Photo by Judy Livenston.

Water lilly on Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Judy Livingston. Most lily's are found in the back of coves. Photo by Judy Livingston.