Mustang Island State Park
Just south of Port Aransas, Mustang Island State Park protects a scenic stretch of barrier-island habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast. The park combines more than five miles of Gulf shoreline with access to the bay side of Mustang Island, giving visitors plenty of ways to experience the coast. Spend the day swimming or relaxing on the beach, camp near the Gulf, paddle protected bay waters, cast a line, or watch for coastal and migratory birds. With its dunes, shoreline, wetlands, and open water, the park offers a more natural coastal experience while remaining within an easy drive of Port Aransas.
State Park by the Sea
Mustang Island State Park offers a quieter, more natural beach experience within an easy drive of Port Aransas restaurants, lodging, shops, and attractions. Visitors can explore more than five miles of Gulf coastline while camping, birding, fishing, kayaking, or simply slowing down by the water. On the island's western shoreline, three paddling trail segments stretch for about 20 miles, adding another way to experience the park's coastal environment.
Address:
9394 State Highway 361, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Park Phone:
(361) 749-5246
Reservations:
(512) 389-8900 or through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Hours:
Currently listed as open daily, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Entrance Fee:
Currently $7 per day for adults ages 13+; children 12 and under are free. Fees are subject to change.
Camping:
48 campsites with water and electricity plus 50 primitive drive-up beach sites.
Popular Activities: Beach time, swimming, camping, fishing, paddling, birding, picnicking, geocaching, and nature programs.
Hours, fees, capacity, campsite availability, beach conditions, and closures can change. Check the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department before your visit.
What You Can Do at Mustang Island State Park
A day at Mustang Island State Park can be as active or relaxed as you want it to be. Swim, surf, build sandcastles, picnic by the coast, camp, try surf or bay fishing, launch a kayak, watch for birds, or go geocaching. Ranger-led programs are also offered at various times. It is an easy nature-focused addition to a Port Aransas trip filled with restaurants, shops, fishing, and other beach-town experiences.
Camping Near the Beach
Mustang Island State Park offers two distinctly different ways to camp near the Gulf. The developed campground includes 48 campsites with water and electric hookups. These sites sit behind the dunes, roughly a third of a mile from the beach, with restrooms and hot showers nearby.
For a more rustic experience, the park also has 50 primitive drive-up sites along approximately 1.5 miles of beach. These sites have no hookups and are undesignated, putting campers directly in the coastal environment. Primitive beach sites may close because of weather, tides, or changing beach conditions.
Camping availability, rates, rules, and conditions can change, so check directly with the Parks and Wildlife Department before arriving.
Paddle the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail
Explore the quieter bay side of Mustang Island on the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. The system follows the island's western shoreline in Corpus Christi Bay and includes three routes, the North Trail, Shamrock Loop Trail, and Ashum Trail, totaling about 20 miles. These shallow coastal waters give paddlers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, birding, and wildlife watching while seeing a different side of the barrier island. Routes range in length and may require different launch, take-out, or shuttle plans.
Coastal conditions can change quickly. Before launching, review trail maps and check wind, weather, tides, water conditions, and your planned route.
Fishing, Birding, and Wildlife
Mustang Island State Park brings several of the Texas coast's signature outdoor experiences together in one place. Anglers can try surf fishing along the Gulf or explore productive shallow-water fishing areas by kayak on the bay side. The paddling trails offer opportunities for both fishing and wildlife watching away from the Gulf shoreline.
Birding is especially popular during spring and fall migration, when coastal and migratory birds move through Mustang Island's beaches, bays, wetlands, and other habitats. Visitors can also watch for wildlife throughout the park year-round.
Give wildlife plenty of space, avoid feeding or disturbing animals, and observe nesting or resting birds from a respectful distance. Stay out of protected dunes and vegetation and follow posted closures or marked areas to help protect this sensitive barrier-island environment.
Accessibility and Visitor Amenities
Visitor amenities at Mustang Island State Park include restrooms, hot showers near the developed campground, picnic areas, a park store, and seasonal or scheduled ranger programs. The Parks and Wildlife Department also currently lists two beach wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge; visitors should check with park staff about availability when they arrive.
Pets are allowed in many areas of Texas state parks, subject to the Parks and Wildlife Department rules and park-specific restrictions. Contact the park if your visit depends on particular pet or accessibility accommodations. Because sand, weather, and other natural conditions can affect accessibility, visitors with specific mobility or access needs should confirm current conditions with park staff before traveling
What to Know Before You Go
Mustang Island State Park can reach capacity, especially during spring, summer, weekends, and holidays, so consider reserving a day pass or campsite before making the drive. Confirm current entrance fees, hours, alerts, campsite availability, weather, and beach conditions through the Parks and Wildlife Department. Primitive beach camping can close because of conditions, and there are no lifeguards at the park's primitive beach camping area.
Help protect the park by staying off dunes and vegetation, avoiding glass containers, properly disposing of trash, respecting wildlife, and driving or walking only in designated areas.
Remember that Mustang Island State Park is managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and is not the same as Port Aransas' city-managed beach. State park entrance, camping, reservation, and vehicle rules apply inside the park. Port Aransas city beach parking permits should not be treated as a substitute for state park admission.
Golf carts also require special attention. Although golf carts may operate on designated roads and vehicle-accessible beach areas within Mustang Island State Park, the Parks and Wildlife Department requires applicable registration and rules to be followed. Do not assume Port Aransas golf cart access rules apply throughout the state park or along Highway 361.
Make the Most of Your Visit
A trip to Mustang Island State Park can easily become part of a longer Port Aransas getaway. After a morning on the beach, an afternoon paddle, or a night of camping, head into town for local restaurants, shops, fishing charters, entertainment, and more coastal activities. Port Aransas also offers lodging options ranging from vacation rentals and hotels to RV resorts and other campgrounds.
Mustang Island State Park FAQs
No. Mustang Island is the larger barrier island stretching along the Texas Gulf Coast, while Mustang Island State Park is a specific protected state park located on the island. The park occupies part of Mustang Island south of Port Aransas and offers beach access, camping, paddling, fishing, birding, and other outdoor recreation. Port Aransas is a convenient nearby base for visiting the park.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department currently lists daily admission at $7 for visitors age 13 and older, while children 12 and under enter free. Entrance fees and other charges can change, so check the official Mustang Island State Park page before visiting rather than relying on older published rates.
Yes. Mustang Island State Park currently has 48 campsites with water and electricity, as well as 50 primitive drive-up sites along the beach. Developed sites can be reserved through the Parks and Wildlife Department. Weather and beach conditions can affect primitive camping, so confirm current campsite status before making the trip.
Yes. The Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail follows the western shoreline of Mustang Island through Corpus Christi Bay. Three routes the North Trail, Shamrock Loop Trail, and Ashum Trail, totaling about 20 miles.
Yes. The park and surrounding Mustang Island area offer excellent coastal birding opportunities, particularly during spring and fall migration. Shorelines, shallow bay waters, beaches, wetlands, and other coastal habitats attract a wide range of birds. Pair a park visit with Port Aransas' other birding locations and resources for a broader birding experience.
Before leaving, check the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for current park alerts, operating hours, entrance fees, day-use availability, reservations, campsite status, and closures. Also review the day's weather and beach conditions. Paddlers should check wind and water conditions, while visitors with specific accessibility needs should contact the park about current accommodations.
