Let's GO! Texas: Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park

202 S. Palmetto St.

Rockport, TX 78382-7965

361-729-2858

reserve to camp @ https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/

MY OVER-ALL IMPRESSION ... The drive was pretty easy from Houston it's mostly I-59. Beautiful small and cozy state park. Clean and well maintained. Roads and campsite drive-ways have been recently paved. Options to camp on the Bay side or wooded area (not so windy). Friendly staff and park host. Headquarters sells ice. They do not sell wood, but allow you to bring your own bundles. I picked mine up on the way at a Buccee's off I-59. Please call first or check their website for alerts / burn bands. If you want to have a fire on the bayside, you have to bring your own fire pit. There is only one place to "eat out" near the park that I could find, I didn't try it. There is a curb store nearby where you can purchase gas/snacks/eggs and a few other camping type items. It's at the corner of HWY35 and Mainstreet. You will pass it on your way. There is an HEB and other shops across they bay at Rockport.

THE BAYFRONT SITES ... are VERY close together and very windy. I didn't spend much time down here this visit.

THE WOODED SIDE ... Very pretty and well maintained.

It has a wooded trail that is .66 miles. There is parking at both ends and a bird viewing area at one end. I found this cute little sitting area with a bench along Lantana loop.

LANTANA LOOP SITES ... more private with 3 brush / tree lined sides.

They are all a little different and some have more room for a tent than others. Some have more shade than others. Great for car camping. And a few I crossed off all together since I tent camp. Here are a few examples. Some of them have area's to put your tent that aren't visible from the road.

Site 134

Site 138

WARBLER WAY & BAYBERRY SITES ... are less private, with the exception of a few sites. Some bigger than others.

Site 121

Site 122

WATER ONLY SITES ... are very close to parking and you could easily use a cart to transport supplies. This is the first section.

207-213 have the least amount of shade and I wouldn't want these in the summer.

4 of the sites here have a little more privacy.

Site 214 is the furthest from parking

Site 215 is very small. Maybe a small dome tent would work. Great for car camping I guess and very close to the parking spaces.

Site 216 is across from 215

Site 217 was my favorite because it is more private and 218 is right beside it and reservable. So have more space.

There is a section on a cul-de-sac. My favorite was 219. 220 has a trail coming out right in their site. They were doing work on 221 and 222 when I was there.

There is another water-only section with 3 sites 201-203 all close to parking.

Yep I'm that crazy lady who went around taking photos of a lot of the spaces. If you are in the HWHG and wondering about a spot, message me.

RESTROOMS / SHOWERS .... There are 2 on the wooded side. See the map. Clean restrooms on Warblers Way.

It did take a while for the water to warm up, so turn the facet on before you get undressed. I'm assuming the restrooms on Bayberry loop are the same. I didn't check out the bayside bathrooms. If anyone can let me know, I will update this post. And I ALWAYS use shower flip flops, even if it looks clean, public showers are gross to me.

KAYAKING ... I didn't kayak here this time. But I will update if I do in the future. Looks like there is an automated rental.

You scan your card and enter info and then scan your card again when your done and then you are billed. Life jackets and paddle are stored in the lockers and the lockers open when you scan your card.

FABULOUS BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES ...

Bird viewing are by the bathroom on Warbler Way.

Bird viewing are at the start of Turks Cap Trail. You will see a wood fence, the bird viewing area is behind that.

One of the park host sites says "Bird Host" - 128. Les and Jane have feeders at their site and invite campers to stop by, sit at their picnic table, and bird watch. In addition there are 2 other birding sites on the wooded side with places to sit and view. The Bird Host support the feeders and take donations of mixed and sunflower seeds, plus peanut butter (important to help the birds stay warm in the winter), so when you go, drop off a bag of bird food at their site.

If you are there from Nov-March you will want to check out the Whooping Cranes. They are an endangered species that migrates to Texas.

There was a large flock of them near the "Big Tree". I followed someone there. So I don't have exact directions. Here is a link HERE with information about "The Big Tree" and the whooping cranes are in a field I think along 12th street near the bay.