Get away from it all by camping on a Texas beach, an inexpensive way to visit this oil-rich state. With more than 600 miles of coastline to choose from, the state has many beaches with campgrounds, including on Galveston Island, along Padre Island National Seashore and in Corpus Christi. Whether you are looking to park up that big rig or backpack with a canvas home on your back, Texas and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico has a camping experience for you.
Regions
Texas offers several distinct regions worth exploring for campers. The Gulf Coast extends from the Louisiana state line to the Mexican border at Brownsville. East Beach, one hour south of Houston, is a popular place for partygoers, while Port Aransas is an expansive beach offering horseback riding and surfing. The longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the world is at Padre Island and Sea Rim State Park offers acres of beaches for wildlife watching.
Where To Stay
Camp in Brownsville for a stew of cultures. Sitting within earshot of Mexico---and with easy day trips available---the Breeze Lake Campground has full hookups for RVs and tent areas. Open year-round the full list of campground activities includes cookouts and tai chi while the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and myriad golf courses are close by. Crystal Canal RV on the Intracoastal Canal and Bolivar Peninsula has pull-throughs for RVs up to 60-feet long and RV rentals if you don't have your own. The Puerto Del Sol RV Park in popular Corpus Christi has a mile of beach and a boat launch.
State Parks
Texas state parks offer an authentic way to camp under the stars and with soft sand on your doorstep. Tent camping and beachside RV hookups are available at Galveston Island State Park where you can take educational nature trails or fish for bass, catfish and flounder. Mustang Island has 5 miles of beaches and camping units for around 300 tents and RVs. The barrier island has a complex ecosystem and attracts a great deal of wildlife, but if you prefer you can mountain bike the trails, kayak and surf.
Winter Camping
Camping enthusiasts looking to escape the harsh winters in the north should make like the other "snowbirds" and head south to Texas. Most campgrounds remain open all year and winter is often their most popular time, when reservations, if permitted, are highly recommended and fees are often a little higher. You can reserve beachside camping spaces at the state parks and many campgrounds put on special events on the beach throughout the winter months.
Attractions
Everything in Texas is big and the list of attractions on offer to curious campers along the Gulf Coast is immense. You can enjoy dozens of water activities from surfing to swimming, but get back on land for the best bird-watching. The Gulf Coast forms much of the Great Coastal Texas Birding Trail and if the reserves at Bay City, Paradise Pond and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge aren't enough you also have the southern tip of the Rio Grande Valley. History fans can explore dozens of battlegrounds that helped win independence from Mexico and equestrian lovers aren't neglected: this is, after all, cowboy country.
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