Natural Trail and Wildlife

Camping in the great outdoors of Texas includes walking in the woods and exploring the great outdoors.  Our park is surrounded on three 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 and is a short five to ten minute walk, or longer depending on your pace.  Corps of Engineer regulations prohibit any motor vehicles, improvements, tree cutting, trimming or removal on their land, so the trail is in a natural forest element, complete with natural growth and decay. 

There are many trees in the park, and on the surrounding Corps of Engineer land.  Camping in the spring and summer allows you to be lulled to sleep by the wind and sounds in the night air.  Fall and winter camping bring a different look, as the oaks lose their leaves, opening up the land to the sun. 

The trail is marked with red flags in trees for your convenience, and crosses two small washes that feed into Lake Sam Rayburn. 

Different times of years brings out different birds.  In the spring and fall you can see the migration of ducks, geese and robins.  You can generally hear and sometimes spot a woodpecker working on a tree.  You might surprise a duck at the waters edge, and hear them take off over the lake with an indigent quack at being disturbed.  Once in a great while, you might also see a deer near the waters edge, enjoying a nice drink at the lake, or munching on the fine grass along the shore.  Each day brings a different scene. 

As the trail is in a natural forest setting, caution should be used in walking the trail for natural hazards, or animals, insects and reptiles that were here before us.  Feeding any animal in the great outdoors is always a temptation which should be avoided.  It will cause animals to enter the camping area in search of a free hand out. 

.

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 towering trees to new 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 cove of the lake is where Squirrel Creek drains. A nice little place to just sit and watch the lake, have a picnic or try your luck with a fishing pole.

Squirrel Creek

Looking down from the Park to Squirrel Creek. A great place to launch a canoe or kayak from. You can also throw a line in and catch a fish. Perhaps even a swimming hole?

Kayaking and exploring Lake Sam Rayburn

Thanks to Bob and Beth Land for braving the cool weather.

Launching at Squirrel Creek just below Rayburn RV Hideout. Squirrel Creek is wide and slow flowing at this point, however, rain can increase the flow of the creek. Down Squirrel Creek out to Lake Sam Rayburn. You can stay in this arm of the lake, or paddle farther out into the main body. There is an island just outside this arm. Or you can just sit, and enjoy the noise of the waves against your boat.

 You can always come on shore to rest. This is the end of the trail from Rayburn RV Hideout. Hey Mr. Photographer, put down your camera and give me a hand. Paddling back up Squirrel Creek is an easy trip.

Natural Trail at Rayburn RV Hideout May 2003

Starting down the trail at Rayburn RV Hideout Camping amoung lots of trees and shade, and they shade your way down the trail. Dogs love to run down to the lake. Squirrel Creek is visiable from the trail, and has some great fishing holes. Pines, oaks and magnolia trees shade the trail. A few hills and valley lead the way to the lake.

A dog runs towards the cool waters of Lake Sam Rayburn. A nice shaded grassy area at the lake edge. A lawn chair, good book and just plain relaxing. Swimming on a hot day! Heading out to get the stick, a great place to let your dog get wet!

Please throw the stick for me again! Bring a blanket and lunch, and just relax your worries away.....

Fawn resting near the trail in Spring 2005

Hard to see, but there is a fawn there. The fawn never moved while these pictures were taken. The fawn was about a foot of the trail. The mother should be nearby.

The fawn was keeping an eye on me though. Deer normally sleep in the daytime. Can you see the fawn now? Its still there.

Wildlife and Flowers on and around Lake Sam Rayburn

Thanks to Judy Livingston for some of these pictures.

Cruising in the great outdoors on Lake Sam Rayburn There is plenty of room on Lake Sam Rayburn for birds, boaters and fisherman. Hey, don't you think your getting a little close? I warned you about getting too close! I am out of here....

Yes, there are gators around the lake. You never know who will stop by and visit while fishing. Baby Nutria-Rats Mom Nutria-Rat Even flowers find their home at Sam Rayburn.

You have to look in the coves to find these lillies. Gators are more frequent in the upper part of the lake. However, gators can be anywhere on the lake. Always use caution around gators. You leave them alone, and they will leave you alone, generally. Spring brings out the Dogwoods in and around the park

This small Dogwood is located near Site #5 Brilliant white flowers make where the Dogwoods are This Magnolia bloom was near the Bathhouse. They generally last only one day. Spring brings out many wildflowers Daisy's can be found blooming in little patches

The grassy area in front of the park hosts many small blooms every spring of many different flowers A little stand of sunflowers on the grassy area in front of Rayburn RV Hideout Fall brings vivid colors to the area Mimosa Tree in Bloom Close up of a Mimosa tree bloom.

Mimosa Tree blooms in the spring. Dogwoods around the park in Spring 05. Dogwoods around the park in Spring 05. Mimosa tree in the park, Spring 05. Mimosa tree in the park, Spring 05.

Mimosa tree in the park, Spring 05. Spring flowers around Rayburn RV Hideout.


HOME PAGE  CAMPING SITES  BATHHOUSE
GUIDELINES  RATES  NATURAL TRAIL TO LAKE SAM RAYBURN
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPGROUND  RESERVATIONS  SITES AVAILABLE
LINKS  FISHING TOURNAMENTS  WEATHER
HURRICANE RITA  CONTACT US  WIFI
SITE MAP  FAQ

  Click here if the navigation buttons above do not appear to visit our Site Map

Rayburn RV Hideout - Lake Sam Rayburn Texas - (409) 698-3137