Mustang Island State Park Reopens For Camping For First Time Since Hurricane Harvey
PORT ARANSAS, Texas Mustang Island State Park is officially reopen for overnight camping for the first time since Hurricane Harvey ravaged the Texas coast.
Texas Parks & Wildlife made the announcement Monday, citing a delayed restroom replacement project in the campgrounds due to Hurricane Harvey storm damage as the reason the grounds hadn’t reopened.
We look forward seeing all of the park visitors who have patiently waited as park repairs were made following Hurricane Harvey, and we would like to thank everyone for the continued support they have shown for their Texas State Park,” said Mustang Island State Park Superintendent Scott Taylor.
Significant plumbing and electrical work went into the restroom renovation in addition to wastewater systems throughout the park, according to TPWD.
Campers looking to make reservations for Mustang Island State Park can access the online reservation center here or call the Texas State Parks Customer Service Center at 512-389-8900.
Mustang Island State Park Overview
Mustang Island State Park campground has 96 single family campsites located next to a beautiful sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico. There are 50 primitive drive-up campsites along the beach , and 46 developed/reservable sites with water and electric hookups. We have photos of all the reservable hook-up sites.
Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. In addition to the water & electric hookups, each site also has a table, fire ring and grate.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. There is also a park store that sells drinks, snacks, supplies and gift items.
Mustang Island State Park Area Recreation
The park is a very popular beach camping destination along the gulf and has about 5 miles of beautiful sandy beach. Outdoor recreation includes sunbathing, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, sunbathing, windsurfing, kayaking, birding, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
Camping On Mustang Island
Pack up your RV for a trip to one of Mustang Island’s campgrounds.
Mustang Island off the coast of Texas dates bake to 1519 when explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda charted the area. Today, vehicles can access the island via a free ferry service that operates around the clock. The mild climate makes it ideal for year-round camping in one of the island’s eight campgrounds.
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Alerts And Important Information
Prescribed burns are planned during the timeframe of October-March, depending on weather and other factors. Prescribed fire operations and associated smoke may impact your visit. Some camping areas, lodging facilities, trails, and day-use areas may be closed for public safety. Contact the park to learn how this may affect your stay.
DAY USE FEE: OFFICE AND GATE INFORMATION: PARK PHONE NUMBER:
Things To Do In Mustang Island State Park In Texas + Travel Tips
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I have been going to the Corpus Christi area for family vacations and getaways my entire life, and these vacations usually include a visit to Mustang Island State Park. We have camped, swam, fished, and enjoyed several other activities and fun things to do at Mustang Island State Park.
However, its not all fun and games, since our family has had some serious scares and near-death experiences here as well! Below I list all my favorite Mustang Island State Park activities plus a full MISP travel guide with important tips to have an enjoyable and safe visit!
Looking for more Texas getaway ideas? Check out the best beaches in Texas and my ten-day Texas Gulf Coast itinerary! And here arethe best beach songs to enjoy during your trip!
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Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park offers a perfectly serene vacation spot featuring miles of sandy beach for a memorable day, weekend, or week-long trip. Mustang Beach, part of the state park, is an 18-mile-long barrier island on the Texas coast with great on-beach camping, beachcombing, turtles, dolphins, birds, and more.
Camping options also abound at Mustang Island State Park. Stay at one of the 48 water and electric campsites or choose among 50 drive-up primitive sites. Water, cold-water rinse showers, and portable toilets can also be found along a two-mile stretch of the beach, and full restrooms and showers with hot water are also accessible.
This untouched barrier island park allows visitors the chance to discover diverse wildlife and pristine coastlines. Ranger Programs offer special birding, stargazing, fishing, and other nature-related events for fun and educational experiences. The Ask a Ranger program provides an inside look at wildlife elements like what critters reside inside beach holes and the reasoning behind unraked sargassum seaweed. Another fantastic component of this beach option is the Mustang Island Paddling Trail, consisting of the North Trail , Shamrock Loop , and Ashum Trail . Each trail follows the western shoreline and passes through some of the best shallow-water fishing spots in all of Texas.
State Park By The Sea
Get in touch with nature at the state park by the sea! Get the best of both worlds at Mustang Island State Park, where you can bike along a trail searching for wildlife or hop in a kayak for some fishing, all in the same place!
Mustang Island State Park is a five mile stretch of sandy beach along Mustang Islands coastline where visitors get the experience of a state park without the requirement of traveling far from amenities in Port Aransas. The park offers hiking and biking trails, camping, birding , and extensive fishing options. The Mustang Island Paddle Park Trail inside the park contains three segments of paddling trails equaling over 20 miles in total that are well-known for both their beauty and their bountiful shallow-water fishing. Mustang Island State Park is a great way to get out there and see the wild side of Port Aransas!
Hours & Fees
Mustang Island State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee for park entry is $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under, and campsite fees are separate. Annual passes for access to all Texas State Parks are also available for purchase. Reservations for both day passes and camping are recommended and can be made either online or via phone at 749-5246.
Where to Find Mustang Island State Park
The address is 9394 State Highway 361, Corpus Christi, TX 78418. For more detailed directions, check here.
Campsites
Amenities
Amenities available in the park include but are not limited to:
- Showers/restrooms
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Amenities And Fun Things To Do:
Mustang Island State Park has 48 sites with water and electricity. The sites are side by side in two single rows across from each other. Each site is level, relatively short and has a fire-pit, grill, covered picnic table, and 30/50 AMP service The Park has showers and a dump station.
Mustang Island allows first-come, first-served camping on the beach in 50 roughly designated sites along 1.5 miles of coastline. which have no facilities, but you are right on the beach. You should check with the Rangers and the tide schedule before camping on the beach. On one visit, our friend’s van camper had to be towed out after an unusually high tide – water just about entered the van. On the beach, there are convenience stations with portable toilets, rinsing showers, and bulk water supply.
The 5-mile open beach is great for hiking, mountain biking, and there’s plenty of room for your beach chairs and toys.
Across the road from the campsites is the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. The three segments of the trail follow the western shoreline of the island in Corpus Christi Bay. The 20 miles of trails pass through some of the best shallow-water fishing areas in Texas. Enjoy close-up views of coastal birds.
Mustang Island State Park is a perfect place to camp if you want to explore Corpus Christi and Port Aransas.
Facilities And Contact Information
At the north end of the park, day-use facilities include showers and portable restrooms. The south end offers undeveloped camping sites, fresh water, showers and portable restrooms. Park headquarters are at the entrance and include a store, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, pay phones and 48 camping sites with electricity and water. There are on-site hosts to assist campers.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends that campers call in advance regarding conditions such as high tides that can make camping unavailable.
Mustang Island State Park
361-749-5246
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Mustang Island State Park Overview:
Texas Outside’s Review & Rating of Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park is a small 48 site park that has easy access to 5 miles coastline, some of which is also available for camping. The terrain is flat and treeless and the sites are in two rows. The beach is just beyond the berm and about 100 yards from the sites. One end of Mustang Island State Park is for day use only and includes ample parking, portable toilets, and rinsing showers.
The Park is located about 13 miles south of downtown Port Aransas and 26 miles from lots of fun things to see and do in Corpus Christi.
In 2017 Mustang Island State Park was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey and was closed for over two years.
Beach Camp At Mustang Island
Port Aransas, Texas
Added by Korey Taylor
$5 Entrance Fee . 300 Drive-up Primitive Campsites . 1.5 miles of maintained beach. Bonfires are allowed. Watch the sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico.
Mustang Island State Park is five miles of Texas Coastline that is maintained by the Texas Parks Department and offers overnight camping. With cool winds and temperate waters, this is a perfect spot to get away for the weekend.
Once you arrive at the entrance just head over to the Ranger Station to get your nightly permit. Once obtained, there are signs directing you to the 1.5miles of coastline that you can camp on. Just drive along the beach until you find the spot for you and set up camp! Don’t forget to bring your firewood so you can cook dinner and have a place to hang out once it gets dark. In the morning, you get to witness a beautiful sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico. All the sites are non-reservable, so if it is the weekend I recommend getting there early so you can have a great spot!
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A Typical Texas Outsider Day:
We stay at Mustang Island to enjoy the beach and explore the area. We enjoy biking on the beach, swimming, and flying kites – dueling kite wars is fun. If we don’t need water or electricity, we enjoy camping on the beach. We have also moved the motorhome from the campground and parked it on the beach just for the day which makes barbecuing much easier and you don’t have to lug all your gear and toys to the beach. And it makes it easier to unload the games like Frisbee golf, darts, ball, bocce ball, or ladder golf.
Staying at Mustang Island State Park makes it easy for day trips to explore Corpus Christi and Port Aransas – both of which have lots to see and do. See below.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Mustang Island Sp
The best time to visit changes on your goals. Fishing is better in August and September, while you might find temperatures more tolerable in May and early June. Its also less crowded in April, May, September, and October because school is back in session.
Spring, fall, and winter are popular with birders coming to enjoy the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trails Mustang Island Loop.
There are other things to do in Mustang Island in winter since some fishing and other activities like running are still popular, even though it might be too cold to swim!
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Where To Stay Near Mustang Island State Park
Other areas nearby that will do in a pinch are towns on the other side of the ferry like Aransas Pass or Rockport.
We have stayed in Corpus Christi proper as well as out in the exurbs with family, but more commonly we rent a vacation rental or hotel in Port Aransas.
Here are some of my top recommendations for where to stay in Port A, which are all about a fifteen to twenty-minute drive to the park.
Budget
On our most recent trip, my aunt and uncle stayed at the Plantation Suites. With rooms that are clean and bright and a swimming pool and hot tub that got rave reviews from my little cousins, I can highly recommend this four-star hotel as a great place to stay in Port Aransas that wont break the bank.
See reviews, prices, and availability for Plantation Suites.
Mid-Range
Another great option in Port Aransas, the Oceans Edge Hotel is one of the best-reviewed accommodations on the island. The rooms are clean, modern, and spacious. The pool is open quite late compared to other hotels on the island, a benefit for the night owls among us, while early birds will appreciate the included breakfast.
See reviews, prices, and availability for the Oceans Edge Hotel.
Luxury
The Best Western Port Aransas receives rave reviews on its complimentary breakfast and is known for its clean and updated rooms and its great location. With kitchenettes available, this is a great way to enjoy the comforts of both a vacation rental and a nice hotel at once!
Family Vacation Rental
Mustang Island Reopens For Overnight Camping
Mustang Island State Park is reopening for overnight camping after Hurricane Harvey storm damage delayed the previously scheduled restroom replacement project in the campgrounds.
The staff of Mustang Island State Park is excited to once again be able to offer camping opportunities to visitors from around the world, says Scott Taylor, superintendent at Mustang Island State Park. We look forward to seeing all of the park visitors who have patiently waited as park repairs were made following Hurricane Harvey, and we would like to thank everyone for the continued support they have shown for their Texas state park.
The restroom replacement project included significant plumbing and electrical work that affected the campground electrical service and portions of the wastewater systems in the park. Additional Harvey repairs are still ongoing to park buildings, including the headquarters and maintenance shop.
Overnight campground reservations for Mustang Island State Park can be made online at texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com or through the Texas State Parks Customer Service Center at 389-8900.
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How To Get To Mustang Island
The best way to get out here is to drive your own car since theres no good public transportation on the island. Uber and Lyft are in Corpus Christi, but the price to get from the airport out here is over $60 one-way and theres no guarantee youll be able to get one to go back.
I have tips towards the bottom of the post on how to rent a car in Texas if youre looking for a car rental. You can easily pick one up at the airport in Corpus Christi or San Antonio.
From Port Aransas
The drive takes about fifteen to twenty minutes depending on traffic. Head out of town on HWY TX-361 S. Note that you cannot drive an All-Terrain Vehicle or a golf cart on the highway.
From Corpus Christi
Depending on where you are in Corpus Christi, the drive can take up to an hour. The average trip is thirty minutes on TX-358 E. This will take you over the bridge to North Padre, then youll use TX-361 N which goes from North Padre to Mustang Island.
From San Antonio
If youre looking to visit MISP from San Antonio, the drive takes about two and a half hours. Youll take HWY I-37 S out of San Antonio to Corpus Christi, then use the directions from Corpus Christi to get to the park.
Mustang Island State Park Campground
Camp right on the sand at Mustang Island State Park Campground. Here, youre always a short walk from the beach where you can enjoy early morning strolls or end the day with a campfire under the stars. The RV-friendly part of the campground offers 48 sites, each with water and 50-amp electric hookups. All of the sites come with a picnic table, grill, and a shade shelter. Sewer hookups arent available, but the on-site restrooms and showers keep you comfortable. Nightly rates start at $20 per night youll also need to pay a daily park entrance fee.
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Overnight Camping Reservations For Mustang Island State Park
Of course, you can also camp at the park . Theres both primitive camping and RV camping at the park.
Electric Campground Sites
If you want to bring a camper and have access to amenities like a personal picnic table, outdoor grill, Water hookup, and a 50 amp hookup, and a dump station, then you will want to pay the $20 nightly fee to camp in one of the 48 campsites with electricity. There is also WiFi, but it does not get great reviews so you will want to have your own connectivity in a pinch.
While these campsites are not on the water and do not have water views because of the tall sand dunes, its a quick walk to the beach.
Note that the park gate closes at 10 pm and opens at 5 am. There is a fourteen-day limit for camping here.
If you are bringing a camper to Mustang Island and the campsites at the park are full, there are multiple RV Parks in the area.
Primitive Sites
The park has 50 primitive sites. The fee for overnight camping in this section of the park is $10 per night. Check with MISP on the day of arrival for availability.