The Texas state coastline stretches for over 350 miles, providing you with a fantastic itinerary of beach communities where you can enjoy the sun’s rays on a hot summer day.
The Gulf Coast’s sandy beaches and saltwater waters welcome you, and there are lots of spots to camp on the beach in Texas. Shore camping in Texas is a great outdoor excursion for the whole family, and you can spend your days walking just feet away from the beach.
If you’re looking for a beach getaway where you can camp on or near the ocean’s salty waters, we’ve picked together eight great beach camping spots in Texas.
We’ve put together a great combination of primitive and hookup campgrounds, so no matter what your camping style is, you’ll discover a Texas beach campsite that’s perfect for you!
South Beach, North Padre Island
There is also another stretch of sand on Padre Island where you can tent.
Another fantastic place to camp on the beach is South Beach, where you can wake up to magnificent sunrises over the water every morning. South Beach is identical to North Beach in that there are no connections or amenities available.
A chemical toilet and a dumpster are located at the beach’s entrance, which is useful to know if you want to camp for an extended amount of time.
When you arrive in South Beach, you’ll drive along the beach in search of the ideal camping spot for you and your family. There are lots of places to set up camp for the night along the coast, which stretches for nearly 60 kilometers.
North Beach, Padre Island National Seashore
North Padre Island is a popular vacation spot for residents of Texas as well as visitors from other parts of the country.
People are lured to the island because of the appealing sea and beautiful beach.
While many people visit North Padre Island and stay in adjacent hotels and cottages, there is an interesting way to spend your time there.
Grab your tent or RV and head to one of nature’s many miles of coastline, where you may camp for free right on the sand. When you arrive at North Beach, pay the entrance charge and be sure to pick up a free camping permit before heading to your campsite.
Because North Beach lacks amenities like camp stores, accessible gas, or connections, be sure you have everything you need.
The nearest petrol station and grocery store, where you can stock up on supplies, are roughly 12 miles away, so plan ahead.
You’ll forego many of the conveniences that most campgrounds provide in exchange for the most spectacular spot to watch the sunrise or sunset every day.
The Malaquite Visitor Center has showers and facilities that are open during normal business hours every day and can be used as needed.
Magnolia Beach, Port Lavaca
Magnolia Beach, known as one of Texas’ most popular boondocking beaches, is one of a kind and beloved by many campers.
As you approach Magnolia Beach, you will be met by approximately two miles of hard-packed sand that is ideal for camping.
Sites aren’t numbered, so as long as you leave an adequate distance between you and your neighbour, you’ll be fine. During your vacation to Magnolia Beach, you can go fishing, swimming, and more. Although there are no hookups, there are toilets and picnic sites nearby.
You’ll find a plethora of interesting shells when scouring through the sand at Magnolia Beach, which will keep you and your family entertained for hours.
This beach is a terrific place to set up your own beach “property” for a few nights and enjoy all that Texas beach camping has to offer!
Matagorda Nature Preserve
The Matagorda Nature Preserve is a haven for nature enthusiasts.
With over 1,333 acres, this park is the ideal place to get away from it all and offers a range of camping options.
The basic campsites at Matagorda Nature Preserve allow you to fully disconnect from the world and camp away from it all while taking in the beauty that surrounds you.
Aside from rustic campsites, there are also full hookup sites to pick from, all of which have a great view of the beach.
You can spend your day at the Matagorda Nature Preserve walking along the two miles of beach access or looking for seashells and other items that have washed up over the day.
Bryan Beach, Freeport
Bryan Beach is a great area to camp on the beach in Texas and to relax under the stars while taking in the sights of the ocean.
Camping on Bryan Beach is inexpensive and allows you to take advantage of all that the Texas coast has to offer.
With only a little more than three miles of beach access, you’ll have fewer options for where to camp along the coast, but a better chance of avoiding the crowds because it’s not as well-known as some of Texas’ other camping beaches.
Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island is a favorite state park for beachgoers since it allows you to camp within a few feet of the beach.
Mustang Island State Park provides hookups and facilities while still letting you walk a short distance to set up for your day at the beach. There are plenty of sights for everyone to enjoy, but due to the park’s high popularity, it’s best to plan your stay as soon as possible. Mustang Island is a favorite choice for camping on and near the Texas coast, with nearly 5 miles of beachfront access.
You have the option of staying in a campground with hookups and amenities or dry camping at one of the basic beach campsites on Mustang Island.
It’s crucial to note that facilities and hot showers are available throughout the park, so even if you’re camping on the beach in a rustic manner, you’ll have access to some amenities.
Although being so near to the shore will provide you and your family with lots to do and see while you’re here, Mustang Island State Park has another feature that sets it apart from the others.
Mustang Island State Park has a padded path with over twenty miles of water trails that will give you a completely different experience.
Mustang Island State Park is a terrific option for beach camping in Texas since you can spend a day on the beach soaking up the sun, visiting surrounding beach towns, and even going on a paddling excursion.
