Lake Somerville Birch Creek State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

09/16/2026

09/15/2026

Believe it or not, this spooky red caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly - the pipevine swallowtail! 🦋

Pipevine swallowtail caterpillars may look like tiny dragons, but they play a vital role in our ecosystem! Their diet consists of mostly pipevine plants, a native vine that contains a dangerous chemical compound called aristolochic acid that is toxic when ingested. The caterpillars absorb that toxin, making them poisonous to predators like birds and wasps, and it protects them through every phase of their lifecycle. The presence of pipevine swallowtails in our ecosystem supports biodiversity, encourages mimicry, and highlights the importance of our native plants! 🌿🐛

Do you have a favorite caterpillar or butterfly? Share in the comments below! 👇🦋💗

09/12/2026

Good morning! 🌞

Catch us at REI - College Station today from 11am-3pm to celebrate National Public Lands Day! 🏞️ Come on out for the freebies, shop around your local REI, and stop by all the booths to learn more about the awesome work going on in our community! 🌿💫

09/09/2026

Name that noodle! 🐍

If you said eastern hognose, give yourself a pat on the back! 🤠

These drama queens and kings are famous for their theatrical defense mechanisms — flattening their head and neck, hissing, and making mock strikes are just a few tactics they use to scare off predators. If their bluff fails, you may find them putting on a melodramatic display of death which involves convulsions, the release of foul-smelling musk, and general playing-possum-ness. 😵

While these silly serpents are non-lethal and generally non-aggressive, if you spot a hognose performing these exaggerated moves, it’s best to back off and enjoy the show from a distance. 🎭🍿

Have you ever seen an eastern hognose performance? Share your favorite moments in the comments! 🐍

🎥: Ranger John

09/04/2026

BURN BAN IN EFFECT🔥🚫

Charcoal fires and gas are allowed for COOKING ONLY. Wood fires are NOT permitted. All fires MUST be attended AT ALL TIMES.

Questions? Birch Creek HQ: (979) 535-7763. To report a wildfire, dial 911.

Let's stay fire safe this Labor Day weekend! 🦅

09/03/2026

Introduce your little explorers to the wonders of nature at Tiny Trailblazers! 🌱

On these short, 0.5-mile hikes, we will practice making observations in nature and learn how to be good stewards of our environment. 🥾

Tiny Trailblazer Thursdays this month:
🌳September 10 from 9-10am at Nails Creek Overlook Trail
🪶 September 17 from 8:30-9:30 at Birch Creek Honeybee Hill
🌳September 24 from 9-10am at Nails Creek Overlook Trail

See you there! 🤠

08/29/2026

Fall is floating into Lake Somerville State Park! 🌤️🐌🔥

This September, celebrate the changing seasons with sunrise hikes, bird walks, fishing, and more. Whether you’re greeting the day on the trail or exploring the forest in the afternoon, Birch Creek has a crisp autumn breeze waiting for everybody. 🍃🧺🌻

08/28/2026

Behind every clean restroom and water fountain is a lot of hard work!💧🛠️ Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek into the day-to-day maintenance we do at Lake Somerville State Park.

It’s not always glamorous, but we love taking care of the place and making sure it’s visitor-ready! 🤩

Let us know if you’re heading out this weekend—drop a 🥾 in the comments!

08/26/2026

Gatekeeping this view should be illegal 🤫

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Visit Lake Somerville to bring you all the tips and tricks for your next trip to Lake Somerville State Park. From the trails to the water and all the wildlife in between, we have way too much to offer to keep it a secret! 🤩

Follow Visit Lake Somerville for the inside scoop on some of our hidden gems! 🏕️✨

08/21/2026

Basic human needs:

1. Water 💧
2. Oxygen 💨
3. Lake Somerville State Park 🌱🤎