Brushy Creek Campground

Introduction / Overview

For Texans looking for an authentic and highly-regarded outdoor experience in the state's picturesque Piney Woods, Brushy Creek Campground stands out as a top-tier destination. This well-established site is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and is prominently situated on the southern shores of the vast Lake O' The Pines near the historic town of Jefferson. Brushy Creek is a sprawling park that successfully blends both day-use and overnight camping areas, ensuring there is something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. The setting is notably scenic, with the campground nestled on a small hill that offers protection from the wind and provides spectacular views of the lake from many of its sites.

The campground's environment is defined by its beautiful natural features, primarily the towering pine trees that stretch into the sky and provide an abundance of cooling shade throughout the day. The focus of the COE management is on providing a high-quality, clean, and family-friendly experience with excellent infrastructure. Customer feedback confirms this commitment, noting that the campsites are spacious, level, and feature asphalt roads with concrete pads—a major convenience for RVs and trailers. However, visitors should be prepared for the natural environment, as one review noted, requiring campers to manage common Texas pests like ants actively. Despite minor maintenance critiques regarding the cleaning frequency of facilities, the overall consensus is that Brushy Creek offers a wonderful, relaxing week-long stay or weekend getaway for those who enjoy being on or near the water.

Location and Accessibility

Brushy Creek Campground’s location offers an ideal mix of lakeside recreation and access to the historical and cultural attractions of East Texas. The official address for the park is:

2669 FM 726, Jefferson, TX 75657, USA

This places the campground squarely on the south shore of Lake O' The Pines, easily accessed via Farm to Market Road 726 (FM 726).

• The park is located near the historical town of Jefferson, TX, famous for its antebellum architecture, riverboat tours, and charming antique shops, providing excellent nearby day-trip opportunities.
• Access to the campground is straightforward, with the asphalt roads and hard-surfaced pads ensuring smooth driving and easy leveling for RVs, even the largest models.
• The park’s gate house typically operates during set hours (e.g., 10 am–6 pm, seasonally), but the exit gate works 24 hours a day. Travelers arriving after hours should consult the late arrival instructions typically posted at the gate or check-in area.
• Brushy Creek is one of multiple COE parks on Lake O' The Pines, including Alley Creek, Buckhorn Creek, and Johnson Creek, positioning it centrally for anyone wanting to explore the entire lake area.
• The facility's layout on a small hill aids in natural drainage, a welcome feature during rainy periods, and enhances the scenic view from the campsites.

Services Offered

As a well-maintained COE facility, Brushy Creek Campground provides a comprehensive array of services tailored for comfortable camping across various styles.

• Campsite Variety: The park features 99 campsites in total, including 62 spacious RV sites and 37 tent campsites. Both tent and RV sites are available with electric and water hookups, though some tent sites are non-electric/primitive.
• Electric & Water Hookups: All 62 RV sites offer water and electric hookups (with 30-amp and 50-amp availability in most loops), ensuring essential utility access.
• Modern Restrooms and Showers: The park provides four restroom facilities throughout the campground, with three of these facilities having showers. Guests have noted these are individual rooms, each with a shower, sink, and toilet, offering a private experience.
• Sewage Disposal: A sewage dump station is provided within the park for RV waste disposal.
• Site Furnishings: Every campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring, grill grate, and lantern post.
• Water Access: Potable water hydrants are scattered throughout the tent areas for convenient access.
• Reservations: Campsites are highly sought after and can be reserved online through the National Recreation Reservation Service (recreation.gov), which is highly recommended for securing a spot.

Features / Highlights

The appeal of Brushy Creek Campground lies in its superb location on Lake O' The Pines and the quality of its amenities and natural surroundings.

• Lakeside Recreation: The campground features a dedicated two-lane boat ramp with a boat dock, providing easy access for all types of watercraft. There is also a fishing dock/pier available for anglers.
• Designated Swim Beach: A very nice roped-off swim beach is located in the Day Use area, protected from the wind by the dam, making it a safe and calm place for swimming during the hot Texas months.
• Spacious and Shaded Sites: The campsites are generously sized, providing plenty of room for privacy, and are beautifully shaded by the tall pine trees for which East Texas is famous.
• Recreational Amenities: For families and active guests, the park offers a playground and a half-court basketball court in the Day Use area, alongside trails for exploration.
• High-Quality Infrastructure: The use of concrete camping pads and asphalt roads provides a clean, level, and premium surface for RV parking and travel within the park.
• Beautiful Lake Views: Many sites are positioned to offer great views of Lake O' The Pines, enhancing the scenic value of the stay.

Contact Information

As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground, contact for Brushy Creek is managed through the COE project office, though a specific park number is also provided.

Address: 2669 FM 726, Jefferson, TX 75657, USA

Phone (Park Office): (903) 777-3491

Mobile Phone: +1 903-777-3491

Reservations: The park strongly advises making reservations in advance via the official booking platform, recreation.gov, especially for the popular water and electric sites, as the campground operates seasonally (typically March 1 – November 30).

What is Worth Choosing

Brushy Creek Campground is an excellent choice for Texans seeking a high-value, federally managed lakeside camping experience. It is particularly worth choosing because it provides the best of both worlds: the natural beauty and thick shade of the East Texas Piney Woods, combined with the excellent infrastructure of a COE park, including level, concrete pads and well-maintained asphalt roads.

The extensive amenities, such as the designated swim beach, boat ramp, and high-quality, private restroom/shower facilities, ensure a comfortable and fun trip for all ages. While campers should be mindful of maintaining a clean campsite to mitigate issues with ants—a common feature of the natural environment—the benefits far outweigh this minor inconvenience. The campground's proximity to the historically rich town of Jefferson and its central location on Lake O' The Pines make it an ideal base for both water activities and local exploration. For an affordable, safe, and scenic camping experience with great facilities and plenty of shade, Brushy Creek is a highly recommended COE destination in East Texas.