Exploring the Best Camping Spots on the Upper Texas Coast
The Upper Texas Coast is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and campers alike. In this travel blog, we’ll highlight the best camping spots on the Upper Texas Coast in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. You’ll want to download our Trip Plans for added ideas for exploring the Upper Texas Gulf Coast.
Top Picks for Camping in Jefferson County
Sea Rim State Park
Location: Sabine Pass, Jefferson County
Sea Rim State Park is a spot where campers can wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. This state park features beachside camping, making it one of the best camping spots on the Upper Texas Coast to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico’s beauty. Fishing, birdwatching, and beachcombing are just a few activities you can enjoy here. Sea Rim State Park offers fifteen campsites with electricity and water hookups. You’ll find 75 drive-up primitive campsites on the beach and one floating primitive campsite accessible by boat. The park offers 5.2 miles of Gulf shores and 4,000 acres of marshlands.
Sea Rim State Park is highlighted in our Explore Nature and Balancing Act Trip Plans.
Best Camping Spots in Galveston County
Galveston Island State Park
Location: Galveston Island, Galveston County
Galveston Island State Park is located on what locals call the “west end” of Galveston Island, even though it is smack-dab in the middle. Offering access to both beach and bay, this park offers everything. Go fishing and birdwatching, hiking, paddling, kayaking and swimming. The park provides both beachside and bayside camping options, including beach wheelchairs, ensuring that visitors have a variety of experiences to choose from.
Galveston Island State Park is highlighted in our Explore Nature Trip Plan.
Top Camping Spots in Brazoria County
San Luis Pass County Park
Location: Follet’s Island, Brazoria County
At the eastern-most end of Follet’s Island, San Luis Pass County Park offers beachside RV camping with views of the Gulf of Mexico and San Luis Pass. Campers can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and beachcombing. San Luis Pass offers paved full-service RV camping, cabins, and a climate-controlled meeting room. There’s also an interpretive center, a pavilion, restrooms, fish cleaning stations, paved parking, and a boat launch. No tent camping allowed.
Quintana Beach County Park
Location: Quintana, Brazoria County
Further into Brazoria County is Quintana Beach County Park, a 52-acre beachfront park with day-use amenities and overnight facilities. The park offers paved, full-service RV campsites and self-contained cabins. There are restrooms and showers, covered pavilions, picnic tables, grills, a playground, a volleyball court. Explore the hiking trails, pedestrian beach, fish on a wooden lighted fishing pier, and access to the west jetty. No tent camping allowed.
Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for updates on a new camping option along the San Bernard river at the Beal Unit of Hanson Riverside Park in Brazoria County – coming soon!
Recommended Camping Spots in Matagorda County
Matagorda Bay Nature Park
For those seeking a tranquil coastal camping experience, Matagorda Bay Nature Park is a unique and scenic spot where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico. Nestled along the shores of Matagorda Bay, this park offers a variety of recreational activities, including kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing. The park provides ten beach bungalows, four airstream campers, and waterfront campsites.
Matagorda Bay Nature Park is highlighted in our Explore Nature and Balancing Act Trip Plans.
The Upper Texas Coast offers scenic camping opportunities for nature enthusiasts in Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties. So pack your camping gear and get ready to embark on a memorable outdoor adventure! Check out our Great Outdoors Blog for tips on kayaking and fishing.
This is just a glimpse of things to do along the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. Download our new Trip Plans for more ideas for experiencing Jefferson, Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda Counties.
About Lone Star Coastal Alliance
The Lone Star Coastal Alliance is a 501(c)3 created to preserve and promote the upper Texas Gulf Coast region in a manner that enhances coastal resilience while fostering economic development focused on conservation and tourism, elevating the unique natural, cultural, and historical assets of the region and benefitting quality of life within the communities.
