You may wonder if camping on the beach in Texas is a legal activity. Yes, you can freely camp on the beach in Texas!

Beach camping is allowed anywhere on Crystal Beach, with reservations parks offering full hookups, and amenities such as swimming pools, wi-fi, and laundry services.

Padre Island National Seashore campgrounds are open for campers, though on a first-come, first-serve basis. But no reservations are accepted. There are numerous options for beach camping that you can always explore, including free campgrounds. Ensure you get a camping permit, which is available at the kiosk of each campground entrance.

At the North Beach, camping is allowed, with a free camping permit offered at the park entrance station. The only cost you will incur at North Beach is the park entrance fee. This campground is reservation-friendly, so, hookups are allowed.

 

Did you know that camping is one of the most recognized pastimes in America? An amazing beach camping holiday in Texas is what most people dream of. If you can get access to the right location and guide, camping in any of the Texas beaches will be one of the most remarkable experiences you have ever had. You might be seeing people camping on some of the most popular beaches, especially during summer, and wonder if they are doing the right thing.

 

Texas gives you a great camping experience, along with options, most of which are free of charge or low in price.

 

Beaches

 

SEA RIM State Park

 

 

 

Mustang Island State Park

 

 

 

 

Padre Island National Seashore

 

 

 

Corpus Christi Beach

 

 

 

Galveston Beach

 

Bolivar Peninsula

 

 

Surfside Beach

 

 

Matagorda Beach

 

 

 

South Padre Island

 

Tips for Camping on Texas Beaches

Of course, you are craving to camp in Texas. You should know that not all of the beaches available in Texas are perfect for camping though. Before you choose a location, do proper research. There are certain things you need to look out for.

1. Make Sure You Have the Proper Permits

You don’t want to have a horrible camping experience. So, why don’t you ensure you have proper permits form camping on the beach? Although some camping sites do not require you to obtain any permit, some like Crystal Beach requires you to have a beach parking sticker.

2. Look Out for The Topography

The topography of the location of your choice is very important if you have enjoyed a comfortable night’s rest. Choose a location with a flat surface to achieve an amazing beach camping experience!

There are instances when you have no option other than pitching your tent on a slope. In such cases make sure you pitch your tent in a way that allows you to sleep with your head on top of the slope.

3. Watch Out for Trees

Beware that coconut trees pose a high risk for campers. There are a lot of reported cases where coconut falls on campers’ heads. So, when it comes to selecting a camping location, don’t take chances. Ensure you are right in everything you do. Otherwise, you will ruin a holiday that was meant to be enjoyable.

Prepare for the hot sunny days. Remember most beach camping is done during summer. Ensure you are fully prepared for the sun; wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap. Carry a beach umbrella, tarp, or sun shelter.

4. Check the Surface

Considering the surface, you are camping is crucial. Camping on surfaces with rocks, branches, rubble is never a good idea. If you go ahead and pitch your tent in such places, you won’t sleep comfortably and your days will only be stressful.

5. Beware of Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards are real! If you have some good experience in camping, then probably you have encountered some of the environmental hazards during your camping. So, before choosing your beach camping location, check out the potential hazards around it. This may sound unnecessary but ignoring little considerations like this one could make your camping experience horrible.

While beach camping is legal in Texas, you need to prepare well if you are looking to have a great camping experience! Confirm if you need to make reservations in advance. Remember reservations are not accepted in some camping beaches in Texas. So, choose a site that suits your camping goals.

 

Near Texas’s Southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Padre Island is the world’s longest barrier island and great place to camp.

It is known for its sandy beaches which makes it one of the best locations to enjoy a holiday full of fun.

All campsites are year-round, although, on a first-come, first-serve basis. When camping in Padre Island, you are required to have a camping permit, which you can obtain from the kiosks at the entrance of each campsite.

There are no reservation hookups around the Island, it is a beach, but a water filling station is available for all campers on the shore.

 

Rules to Abide by In Padre Island Beach Camping

• Ground fires are permitted within the campground, but only in fully contained grills.
• Running generators between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m are prohibited.
• The camping period is limited to 14 days. After this, campers are required to vacate their sites and leave the park. For any camper willing to return to the park, come after at least 14 days. In a year, you are allowed to spend a maximum of 28 calendar days per year.
• Check out time is 12:00 noon

Beach camping is at Padre Island is only permitted in the following areas:

South Beach

All camping in South Beach is primitive, allowing for RV and tent camping. Before driving to South Beach ensure you call first and inquire about the conditions of the beach in terms of weather. At the entrance of the beach, there is a chemical toilet and a large dumpster. Cold-rinse showers are available at Malaquite Visitor Center. They are opened every day, which means they are easily accessible for campers.

Bird Island Basin Campground

If you are a lover of windsurfing, fishing, boating, or birding, then consider camping at Bird Island Basin Campground. Just as Malaquite, the sites here are available on a first-come, first-come basis. To use the surfing area, a park entrance fee is required. If you enjoy tent camping, Bird Island Basin Campground offers you tenting sites as well!

North Beach

Just as in South Beach, all camping in this area is primitive and open to RV and tent camping. There are no designated sites in this campground. Facilities are also not available at North Beach.

You are required to pay the park entrance fee. Get a free camping permit at the park entrance station and self-registration kiosk at the entrance to North Beach.

Yarborough Pass

Yarborough Pass is located in the Laguna Madre, which is 15.5 miles away from South of Visitor Center. Accessing this campground can be challenging because of the soft sand. So, your only way out for accessing this ground is following the 4-wheel drive area of South Beach, and boating down the Laguna Madre. However, calling first to check if the driving conditions favors you is important. Of course, finding it extremely difficult to reach a campground can make your camping experience horrible. So, making inquiries is the best thing to do if you want your camping to run smoothly.

A camping permit is required, and you can get it at the entrance to South Beach, and don’t forget to fill out the form to display in your windshield.

Campers are not permitted to drive in the mudflats surrounding the campground.

 

Malaquite

Malaquite campground comprises of 48 semi-primitive sites, and campers are allowed to pitch their tents along the beach. Again, this place operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, and reservations are not accepted. Each of the sites along the beach can accommodate a maximum of two tents, vehicles, and eight campers.

The campsite offers flush toilets, paved parking, and cold-water rinse showers. Picnic tables are also available in each site. Even though hookups are not available, a water filling station makes your camping experience great! At the Malaquite Visitor Center, Ice is sold from 9: 00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

Remember there’s no food available at the park, so, come with your firewood. Also, the park does not have a gas station, so carry your gas as well.

 

Having beach camping experience at Padre Island is one of the best decisions you can ever make. The Island features the above-discussed campgrounds that offer the fun and joy your loved ones need. So, if you want to go camping and you wonder where to take your camping destinations, consider camping at Padre Shire!

 

An awesome beach camping holiday in Texas is a fantasy most people crave for. Little wonder we see an influx of campers trooping into Texas now and then.

With the right location and guide, camping in any of the Texas beaches will be interesting. However, if you decide to choose a location without proper research, trust me, your experience will be horrible.

Again, you should know that not all beaches in Texas are perfect for camping. Before you decide on any of the camping Texas beaches, there are certain things you should look out for.

Once these things are in place, you will surely have an amazing camping experience in any of the Texas beach sides.

Things To Look Out For When You Decide To Camp In Any Of The Camping Texas Beaches

The Topography

The topography of your location is something you shouldn’t compromise. I always advise campers to choose a location with a flat surface.

When you pitch your tent on a flat surface, you are going to get a comfortable night rest. Well, there are instances when you will have no option but pitch your tent on a slope.

If this is the case, ensure that you pitch it in a way that you can sleep with your head on top of the slope.

 

Check The Surface If It Is Safe

Even though you want to have fun, you shouldn’t do that at your own risk. The safety of the surface you are camping is an important consideration.

When you have things like rocks, roots, branches, rubble, etc in a beachside, camping in such location wouldn’t be a good idea. This will make your night uncomfortable and stressful.

 

Watch Out For Trees

Camping in beach sides with several trees (Especially coconut trees) poses a lot of threats. We have heard of situations where campers were rushed to the hospital after coconuts fell on their heads.

Again, I have had first-hand experience with a coconut fruit. It fell down in the middle of the night and wrecked our tent. Luckily, no casualty was recorded on that fateful day.

When it comes to choosing a camp location, don’t give room for chances. Otherwise, the entire exercise could be ruined. After all, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

 

Beware Of Environmental Hazards

Let me remind you that environmental hazards are real. They are found in some camping location. Oh! I don’t mean to scare you, but to sound the trumpet of warning.

Before you decide on any location, always check out the potential hazards around it. Look out for the possibility of rock falls, flash floods, high tide, etc.

When little considerations like these are neglected, it could be disastrous. Be fully aware of the local environment.

These are the things you should watch out for before you choose any camping Texas Beaches.

Also, you have to confirm if you need to make reservations in advance. Since there are several people who may be interested in the location you have in mind, you should make a reservation in advance if possible.

We have seen situations where campers got stranded in a campsite because the location is already crowded. To avoid this, you need to check if advance reservations are made.

If you have a pet, ask if you can come with your pet. It is better to know some of these things in advance.

Again, when you are deciding on a cool beachside camping location, remember that good campsite aren’t made. Rather they are found.

After all, the reason we go camping is to explore nature to the fullest. We may not be able to enjoy nature’s glory and beauty if we try to make campsite ourselves.

Hope you have known what to look out for in a camping location now? I guess yes is the answer. See these top 5 camping Texas Beaches that you can go in your next camping trip.

Camping Texas Beaches

When it comes to camping in the United States, Texas is always on the forefront. So, If you ever think of camping in any Texas beach during 2019 summer, below are our top pick to choose from.

#1. SEA RIM State Park (Port Arthur)

Sea RIM is an awesome place to camp in Texas. The camp life in Sea RIM is similar to some of the things we see on Hollywood.

Someone once told me that camping at Sea Rim would bring all your camping fantasies to reality.

It may interest you to know that this awesome location has 15 campsites with electricity. These campsites are close to the beach. You can actually sit down by the beachside at night and observe nature.

Sea Rim has what it takes to bring your fairytale camping experience to reality. In the various campsites, you will see facilities like; picnic table, outdoor grill, water hookup, tent pad, etc.

#2. Mustang Island State Park In Corpus Christi

Mustang Island a secluded and awesome camping Texas Beach. The environment is eye-catching with several natural features. Its seclusion and exceptional environment make it a perfect camping location.

It is a well-planned tent camping location with 50 primitive sites and 48 sites with electricity. I like describing Mustang Island beach as a home away from home. You know why? It has most of the things that will make you comfortable.

Let me make it clear now; if you are opting for an electricity camping spot, you may be a bit far ( about 50 yards) from the beach. Also, if you are passionate about wildlife, we recommend that you camp between April and July.

During this time, you will see Sea Turtle laying their eggs on shore. It is always a wonderful experience. I think your kids will be happy to see a sea turtle in its natural habitat.

 

#3. Matagorda Bay Nature Park

Matagorda Bay Nature Park is a great location for beach camping in Texas. There is never a boring moment when you camp in this park.

It has a primitive campsite at the docking area. And you will also find barbecue pits, fire rings as well as several shades to keep you comfortable.

In case you want to take a shower, there is a shower and bathroom facility nearby.

The camping Texas beaches we mentioned above are exceptional with great facilities. They are relatively safe and offer near home comfort.

All the things you fantasize about beach camping holidays can come to reality if you prepare very well.

 

How To Prepare For Beach Camping In Texas

Preparation is important when you are going for beach camping in Texas. Most of the beach campsites are primitive camping, and they may not have facilities like running water or electricity.

When you are going to a location like this, you have to plan yourself according. It is not a bad idea if you carry more bottled water, a gas grill, flashlights with backup batteries.

Again, don’t forget to deal with elements like wind speed and extremely hot weather. These elements are very rampant in Texas.

Mosquitoes and other insects are unavoidable in Texas beaches. Try to get repellants to ward off mosquitoes from your tent. And if you love swimming try to call people in charge of the beach to know the current condition.

 

 

More articles:
car camping
Wilderness Survival
Camping With Bears