Welch Park Somerville Lake — Attraction in Brenham

Giving it 3 stars, because we have been coming here a long time and managed to work around the inconveniences (even though we shouldnt have to). Unfortunately this park is no longer government owned, meaning no funding will be there for improvement of park. This park has so much potential because of its location, particularly the island and the boat ramps, but the restrooms are really really bad. They are not functioning properly - and they are just so outdated (particularly the island ones by the tent sites and boat ramp) it is much easier to just go on the grass and dig a hole - no working sinks, no nothing. Secondly, there is no website to reserve spots or to pay online, everything is so outdated its sort of inconvenient but we call ahead to make sure there are some spots but really you probably are banking on first come first serve. The pros of the place is that the pricing is really affordable for camping, whether it is tent or rv, but if you really need a restroom and shower best bet would be to bring your RV, otherwise stay at the state park Birch Creek unit for better amenities. The spots here are hit or miss - Spots 70-74 seem to have the best views but you have to walk a bit to the water. On the weekends Friday-Saturday lots of folk come by and get rowdy, so around 7PM the warden comes to the park, same thing for on the water, wardens are out there so make sure life jackets and licenses/registrations are up to date because they do ask. Normally they are really nice and its just quick checks, other times they don't even bother - but I know for sure the cops do come at the park like...

My experience with the people who work here wasn't the best. We paid for a water/electricity site and the site we chose didn't have working electricity. I called the front office to inform them and they said they would send someone over. 5 minutes later they call my husband saying they don't know if maintenance would be by to fix it that evening but we could move to the next available electrical site. We refused to move because we already had our tent up and it was a very windy day so it was a hassle just to get it up. We ended up going to the store to buy a 100ft extension chord that night and plugging it in at the next spot. The next morning my husband drove over to the office to let them know that maintenance never came so we used the next site over for the night but still need our electrical site fixed. The woman in the office told my husband to flag down the man on the mule and see if he can get it fixed. I'm sorry but isn't it your job in the office to notify your own maintenance personnel of an issue instead of telling one of your guests to do it? I find that completely absurd. My husband ended up flagging down the maintenance guy but the maintenance guy said he would have to see if he had what he needed to fix the electrical outlet. No one ever came out to look at it or fix the electrical issue. I definitely don't want an experience like that again. I'll take my business to Big Creek marina where Miss Paula always accommodates her guests/campers right across the lake...

I’m not entirely sure this is a state park but we thought it was. I thought they required better upkeep so maybe not. The bathrooms are foul. No showers. Twice the cost of other state parks. Spots not clearly marked and small compared to other sites. Staff seems to not know what is going on. Spend over $100 for 2 spots for two nights that barely held a family of 6. Only to be woken up early to be asked to “move over” because nothing is clearly marked and the lots are not clearly defined. Then was given “general” guides based on trees and rocks. The things like grills etc that I was told were here were not. I popped a squat where no one was looking because there is no way I’m using this bathroom. I camp frequently at state parks and the conditions of the bathrooms are easily and by far the worst. I would understand if these are primitive sites but the electric and water lots let you assume that some conveniences will be available. Luckily this was a weekend trip, be prepared if doing an extended stay there will not be any showers for you. The lake is amazing, the view rocks. The facility is lacking. Go to one of the other state parks like Nails when it opens or...