Breeze Lake Campground is located inland on the lake of the same name, but is only a short drive to the Gulf coast. Tents and RVs are both welcome at the 187-site campground that provides pull-through accommodation for the biggest rigs. The grounds feature a solar heated pool, Laundromat, hot showers, free cable and Wi-Fi, dump station and electronic gate access. Nearby attractions include the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge and the Confederate Air Museum. Travel tours to Mexico can be arranged through the office.
Breeze Lake Campground
1710 N. Vermillion
Brownsville, TX 78521
956-831-4427
877-296-3329
breezelakervcamprgound.com
South Padre Island National Seashore is home to five campgrounds: Bird Island Basin, Malaquite, Yarborough Pass and North and South Beach. All campgrounds strictly enforce a 14 day limit on camping and require a permit available at the Malaquite Visitor’s Center. Campsites on the latter three grounds are strictly primitive. Bird Island and Malaquite have room for RVs but do not offer hook-ups, while camping at the latter three is strictly primitive with limited access. Yarborough Pass is only accessible by car at South Beach but is often restricted due to weather conditions. Campsites are not set along the beaches; camping is allowed anywhere on the sand. There is one sand-ready wheelchair available for loan free of charge at the Visitor’s Center.
South Padre Island National Seashore
Superintendent
P.O. Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480
361-949-8068
nps.gov/pais
Matagorda Island is a 38-mile long barrier island with no modern conveniences (including potable water) and is accessible only by boat. The island is a Texas Wildlife Management Area and is free and open to the public at all times. The island is home to various endangered and threatened species, directly on bird migratory pathways and home to alligators and deer. The most attractive place to set up camp is in the sand on Sunday Beach.
Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area
1700 7th St.
Bay City, TX 77414
979-244-7697
tpwd.state.tx.us
Galveston Island State Park, located on the barrier island of the same name near Houston, Texas, was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008, but thanks in large part to volunteer labor, was able to reopen for camping in July 2009. The grounds offer sites within steps of the Gulf of Mexico and can accommodate tents and RVs. All sites include a shaded picnic table, fire pit and potable water. Facilities include modern showers, flush toilets and a dump station. Additional attractions include wildlife viewing along a hiking trail set in Galveston Island marshes. Watch out for snakes!
Galveston Island State Park
14901 FM 3005
Galveston, TX 77554
409-737-1222
galvestonislandstatepark.org
