Rayburn RV Hideout

Your Place to Stay at Lake Sam Rayburn

197 Private Road 6067 Brookeland, Texas 75931

(409) 698-3137


information@rayburnrvhideout.com

 

Natural Trail

If you would like to enjoy a walk in the Piney Woods while your camping with us, we invite you to enjoy the natural trail located on the west side of the campground.  Walking to the lake will take you about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how fast you walk.  A portion of the trail follows Squirrel Creek and depending on the lake level you might be able to hear a little waterfall on your walk. 

The trail is an ever changing walk in the woods.  The woods have been effected by a thinning project by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 2004, Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.  Lightning strikes as well as a high wind and every day events make each day a different walk.  You can also see different wildlife in your walks, you may see a robin in the spring, cardinals in the summer, and perhaps an eagle soaring in the currents above the lake.  You may see a hawk dive down and take a fish from the lake, or see a mother duck swimming with her young.  You might even run into a deer with a fawn!  If your really lucky, you will hear and see a Pileated woodpecker.

You will also enjoy a variety of trees on your walk, from black jack oak to gum ball oak, towering loblolly and majestic magnolias as well as several other species.  Spring brings out a fresh green look as all the trees leaf out, summer bring out the carpet of green shading you from the summer sun, fall starts the leaves falling and the color that occurs in East Texas, and winter of course bring out the full view of the woods.

The trail is located on US Army Corps of Engineer land and is in a natural forest setting complete with natural growth and decay.  Since the trail is in the natural 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, but it should be avoided as it will cause the animals to enter the campground in search of a free handout.

Natural Trail at Rayburn RV Hideout
January 2003

Start of the trail at Rayburn RV Hideout at Lake Sam Rayburn. Come camping with us!  Magnolia tree on the way to the lake. The trail follows Squirrel Creek for a while.  Along your walk you can see how the new growth will replace the older growth.  Just over the rise is Squirrel Creek on its way to Lake Sam Rayburn.

The trail climbs a couple of gentle hills on the way to the lake.  In the distance is Lake Sam Rayburn.  This is the cove where Squirrel Creek drains into Lake Sam Rayburn.  End of the trail at Lake Sam Rayburn.  A nice place to enjoy the lake, have a picnic or fish. Don't forget your license!

Natural Trail at Rayburn RV Hideout
May 2003

Starting down the trail to Lake Sam Rayburn from Rayburn RV Hideout  Lots of shade trees on the way down to the lake. It is a great place to take your dog for a walk.  Squirrel Creek is visible from part of the trail and has a few great fishing holes at normal pool.  Pine, oak and magnolia trees line the walk along the trail.  There are a few hills and valleys on the way down to the lake.

Reece running down the trail to the lake so she can jump in and cool off.  The Corps of Engineers has thinned this area since this picture was taken.  A shady area on the way to the lake.  Lake Sam Rayburn peaking through the trees.  Bring a lawn chair and a good book!

Swimming on a hot summer day!  Reece on her way to fetch her stick. A great place to let your dog have fun in the water.  If you throw the stick one more time, I promise not to shake on you!  Enjoy a picnic and just let your worries relax away...

Natural Trail
April 2010

Top of the trail leaving Rayburn RV Hideout. It is 4/10 of a mile though the woods to Lake Sam Rayburn. Reece is going to lead the way.  Heading down the first hill to the first creek. Sometimes depending on the lake level you have to jump it or detour around it. Notice how thick the trees are after the thinning in 2004.  At the bottom of the first hill just before the little creek which has just a little water in it. Reece is looking intently ahead at the hill, can you see the deer that jumped up just after I took this picture?  Climbing up the first hill after the first creek on the way to Lake Sam Rayburn.

Straight ahead is Squirrel Creek. The trail follows the creek for bit on the way to Lake Sam Rayburn.  Reece checking out the scent on the way to the lake. Our campground is surrounded by forest and the campground is heavily treed for your camping enjoyment.  Squirrel Creek just visible from the trail. The lake is just above normal pool, and the creek level does fluxuates with the lake level.  Reece starting up the second hill before the lake. The downed trees are from Hurricane Rita. The trail is on US Army Corps of Engineer land so cleanup is left to nature.

Reece at a little clearing at the top of "Hamburger Hill" be sure and ask us why we call it "Hamburger Hill". To the left a house will be built, and they have a permit to mow the underbrush, hence the clearning.  Heading down the hill towards the second creek crossing.  In the distance you can see the other side of the little creek. Once again the downed trees are from Hurricane Rita in 2005, about 4 and 1/2 years from when these pictures were taken.  Just after the second creek on the final leg to Lake Sam Rayburn.

A little natural clearing on the way to the lake.  You can see Lake Sam Rayburn in the distance.  This area has been underbrushed by the homeowner on the right. This is still goverment land, but the homeowner has a permit to keep the underbrush down. Lake Sam Rayburn in the distance.  Lake Sam Rayburn through the trees.

View of the lake from the end of the trail. This is the cove where Squirrel Creek drains into.  Reece enjoying Lake Sam Rayburn after her walk down the trail.

Squirrel Creek
January 2003

Squirrel Creek looking down from the park. The lake is above normal pool in this picture.  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 when the lake was above normal pool.

Kayaking and Enjoying Lake Sam Rayburn
January 2003

Kayaking on Squirrel Creek at Lake Sam Rayburn. The lake was above normal pool. Thanks to Bob and Beth!  Squirrel Creek at a wide point. The water was pretty stationary as the lake level was above pool.  At the end of Squirrel Creek in the cove at Lake Sam Rayburn.  You can stay in the cove or head out into the main body of the lake.  Drifting around the cove.

You can always beach your boat and take a break around the lake. This is at the end of the Natural Trail.  My sister wants me to put down the camera and give her a push off!  Enjoying the day.

Fawn Resting Near the Natural Trail
June 2005

Can you see the fawn? It is really there!  The fawn never moved when these pictures were taken.  The fawn was about a foot off the trail.  Never saw the mother, 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.

 The fawn knew I was there and kept an eye on me.  Since deer normally rest in the day, mom had bedded down this little fawn.  The fawns really do blend into nature.

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

Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.

Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.  Sunset at the end of the trail Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo by Paul Chatman.

Rare Snowfall
December 11, 2008

Pine branch at Lake Sam Rayburn in rare snowfall.  Rayburn RV Hideout sign with a blanket of snow around it.  Looking south on FM-1007 with a rare snow fall at Rayburn RV Hideout at Lake Sam Rayburn Texas. Camping is always intersting!  Upper loop road in rare snowfall. Camping was fun this day!  Looking down the upper loop road.

Magnolia leaf with rare snowfall. Lake Sam Rayburn.  Reece on her way to the lake in this rare snowfall. She was not sure of this new look!  Heading down the first hill in a rare snowfall. Watch your step!  Crossing the first creek on the way to the lake at Rayburn RV Hideout.  Looking down at the first crossing in a rare snowfall.

The waterfall in Squirrel Creek. Depending on the lake level you can see and hear this waterfall.  Hard to see the trail with this rare snowfall.  The snow did not stay around all that long, and you can see it starting to melt. This is on the second hill on the way to the lake.  Second creek crossing on the way to the lake.  Arriving at the lake. Notice the lower water level.

Rare snowfall at Lake Sam Rayburn.  Looking Southeast from the end of the trail. The sandbar is normally underwater at normal pool.  Snow in a small pine tree at Lake Sam Rayburn. Camping can be so much fun in Texas!  Rare snowfall at Lake Sam Rayburn.  Leaf in a puddle with a coating of frost. Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas.

Looking up to Rayburn RV Hideout returning from the lake. Camping in December can be long pants or shorts!  Long across the first creek on the trail Rayburn RV Hideout.  Looking towards the main loop from the lower loop Rayburn RV Hideout.  Lower Loop in rare snowfall at Lake Sam Rayburn.  Rare Snowfall - Rayburn RV Hideout - Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas - December 11, 2008

Drought of 2011
Pictures were taken August, 2011.
Lake Level was 153.6 which is 10.8 feet below normal pool level of 164.4

Looking out Squirrel Creek from the edge of the normal lake level.  Looking Southwest from the end of the trail. You can actually walk across the cove.  Looking South from the normal lake pool.  Looking Southeast from the end of the trail. This is where Squirrel Creek enters the lake. The creek bed is dry.

Little area cut off from the main lake. This is right in front of where the trail ends, and taken from where the water level is normally at when at pool level.  Wide view of the cove with the cut off area of water visiable.  Reece my dog is enjoying what is left of her little pool on a hot Texas summer day. Temps have been hitting over 100 degrees.  Another view of the cove. There is normally over 10 feet of water in this cove.

Picture is taken from the end of the sandbar in Squirrel Creek Cove.   Looking west from the end of the sandbar. Rock Island is visiable on the right, and there is a new island between Rock and the shore.  Looking South from the end of the sandbar.  Looking South from the sandbar. The creek channel runs between me and the shore line, but is totally dry.

Looking East from the end of the sandbar. This sand is probably from the golf course, and where the weeds are tall on the left is about two feet higher than the elevation where the picture was taken.  Looking Northeast from the end of the sandbar. The end of the trail is in the center of the picture.  Zoomed in view of the end of the trail.  It is so dry even the leaves are turning on some plants, bushes and trees.

Wildlife and Flowers at Rayburn RV Hideout
and Around Lake Sam Rayburn

Spring brings out the dogwood trees in East Texas  This small dogwood tree is located by Site #5 Rayburn RV Hideout  Brilliant white flowers mark the dogwood trees in the Piney Woods of East Texas!  Dogwoods in bloom at Rayburn RV Hideout  Dogwoods in bloom spring 2005 before Hurricane Rita in fall of 2005.

This magnolia bloom was by the bathhouse. The bloom usually lasts a couple of days.  Spring brings out the wildflowers. Taken in front of Rayburn RV Hideout along FM-1007  Daisy's blooming in front of Rayburn RV Hideout.  Looking North in front of Rayburn RV Hideout.  Little stand of sunflowers in front of Rayburn RV Hideout - Brookeland Texas.

Fall foliage at Rayburn RV Hideout.  Spring flower at Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas  Mimosa tree in bloom at Rayburn RV Hideout.  Close up of mimosa bloom Rayburn RV Hideout.  Mimosa trees generally bloom in May.

Mimosa tree in bloom Spring 2005. This was before Hurricane Rita.  Mimosa Tree on main loop.  Your camping in the trees here at Rayburn RV Hideout - Lake Sam Rayburn Texas.  Wildflowers in front of Rayburn RV Hideout.  Wildflowers in front of Rayburn RV Hideout.

 Crusing in style at Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Pelicans are one of the few birds that call Lake Sam Rayburn home. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Close up of pelican. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Always keep your camera close, you never know what your going to see. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Hey, your getting a little close! Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.

  Pelicans in flight Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Pelicans in flight at Lake Sam Rayburn. Notice the trees in the water. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Two point landing. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  As in all lakes in the South, there are alligators in Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Gators are more frequent in the upper part of the lake. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.

  Gators are like most animals, they will avoid contact unless you harass them. Use special caution in the spring mating season. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  You could say a Texas native! Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  A butterfly resting while on a fishing trip. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Baby Nutri-rats. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Mama Nutri-rat. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.

  Water lilly on Lake Sam Rayburn. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.  Water lillies are found in the back of some coves. Photo courtesy of Judy Livingston.