How much does camping cost at Goose Island State Park?

Camping fees at Goose Island State Park range from $4-$5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Goose Island State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Goose Island State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Goose Island State Park before I book?

Yes! Goose Island State Park has 15 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Goose Island State Park?

Goose Island State Park is open Open year-round. Some facilities may be subject to seasonal weather impacts.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Goose Island State Park?

Yes, Goose Island State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Are dogs allowed at Goose Island State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Goose Island State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Goose Island State Park?

Goose Island State Park offers: Showers, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Goose Island State Park?

Popular activities at Goose Island State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Goose Island State Park

Q: Can I have a campfire at Goose Island State Park?

Fire policies at Goose Island State Park: Campfires prohibited in some areas. Specific rules for bayside versus wooded sites not detailed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.29

260 reviews

202 S. PALMETTO STREET, ROCKPORT, Texas, 78382, United States

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

$4 - $5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Goose Island State Park is a popular campground. Set up a free alert to catch cancellations.

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

$4 - $5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Goose Island State Park

$4.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Day Use Fee is $5 per person aged 13 and older. Overnight fishing incurs an additional $4 fee per person aged 13 and older, plus the day use fee.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

361-729-2858

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What Campers Say

4.29

Satisfactory

Based on 260 reviews

1708 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsshadewatersites

"Goose Island State Park receives mixed reviews. The scenic views, wildlife, and recreational activities are praised by many, but issues with noise from airboats and mosquitoes are noted."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

202 S. PALMETTO STREET, ROCKPORT, Texas, 78382, United States

Goose Island State Park

202 S. PALMETTO STREET, ROCKPORT, Texas, 78382, United States

Nearby places

Rockport (approximately 2 miles, 5 minutes), Corpus Christi (approximately 35 miles, 45 minutes), Lamar (approximately 10 miles, 15 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Rockport provides grocery stores, camping supplies, fuel stations, and a bait shop for fishing supplies.

Driving directionsFrom Corpus Christi: Take Hwy 181 North to Hwy 35. Turn right and continue through Rockport for 10 miles North. Turn right on Park Road 13 for approximately 1 1/2 miles to Park entrance. From Houston: Take Hwy 59 South to Victoria. Take Hwy 77 South 21 miles Hwy 239. Turn left and go to Texas 35. Turn South and go to Park Road 13. Turn left for approximately 1 1/2 miles to Park entrance.

Accessible year-round. Main roads leading to the campground are paved and suitable for passenger vehicles and RVs.

Best Time to Camp at Goose Island State Park

Winter brings the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s, nights in the 40s, and minimal mosquitoes. November through March is peak time for Whooping Cranes and waterfowl. Calm bay waters make fishing and photography easier. Summer heat and humidity arrive with higher bug pressure, particularly mosquitoes in the wooded areas. Reviewers recommend mosquito spray year-round but especially outside winter months.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.5 / 5

Top 3% in TX

Best season: mild temps, minimal mosquitoes and peak Whooping Crane/waterfowl viewing.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Some facilities may be subject to seasonal weather impacts.
Current Alerts: Water conservation advisory due to dry conditions. Visitors are encouraged to bring drinking water or purchase bottled water at the park.

About Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park sits on Aransas Bay along the Texas Coastal Bend, offering two distinct camping experiences. Waterfront RV sites face the bay with hookups, while wooded sites tuck into coastal live oak forest. Fees run $4-5 per night. The park hosts tent and RV camping with showers, a dump station, and a camp store.

This campground accommodates both RV and tent camping, with designated areas for each type. Two main camping areas are available: wooded and bayfront.

Historical Significance

The Big Tree, a coastal live oak over a thousand years old, stands within the park. Its massive trunk and wide canopy mark it as one of the largest and oldest live oaks on the Texas coast.

Weather and SeasonsWinter brings the best conditions: daytime highs in the mid-50s to mid-70s, nights in the 40s, and minimal mosquitoes. November through March is peak time for Whooping Cranes and waterfowl. Calm bay waters make fishing and photography easier. Summer heat and humidity arrive with higher bug pressure, particularly mosquitoes in the wooded areas. Reviewers recommend mosquito spray year-round but especially outside winter months.

ElevationNestled at sea level where land embraces the Gulf, this coastal haven offers the intimate connection between earth and water that defines the Texas shoreline experience.

Natural Features and SceneryLocated on the Texas coast north of Corpus Christi along St. Charles and Aransas bays, the park features bayfront areas with waterfront views, mud flats, marsh grass, and concrete bulkheads along the shoreline, plus a wooded area shaded by large oak trees including old-growth coastal oaks.[1][2][4]

Geological RegionPerched on the edge of Aransas Bay along the Texas Coastal Bend, this remarkable landscape showcases the meeting of land and sea. Here, ancient coastal live oak forests thrive in harmony with bayfront ecosystems, creating a distinctive habitat where wooded highlands give way to tidal marshes and protected waters teeming with life.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in details include contacting Park Headquarters for late arrivals after 10 PM
guests must finalize check-in by 9 AM the following morning.

Stay Limit

Stay limit details are unclear.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Typically accommodates RVs or multiple tents in certain sites.

Groups

No specific details about group sites were provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo main camping areas: bayside RV sites with hookups facing the water, and wooded inland sites under live oak canopy. Bayside sites sit open with bay views and little screening between neighbors. Wooded sites spread through the forest with natural separation. Some reviewers noted equipment placement issues at RV sites.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online or by contacting Park Headquarters at 361-729-2858.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability is not specified, but the park is often fully booked.

Cancellation PolicyModify or cancel reservations as soon as possible to accommodate other visitors. Contact Park Headquarters for further instructions.

AccessibilityOne visitor noted issues finding their campsite, suggesting signage improvements might be beneficial. No other accessibility features were described.

PrivacyCampsites in the wooded areas are described as private and secluded, while waterfront sites offer little to no privacy but have scenic views.

Recommended SitesConsider bayside sites for waterfront views. Wooded sites are suitable for privacy and shade.

Need help booking Goose Island State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

ReserveAmerica Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Showers

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Dump station

Picnic tables

Camp Store

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Goose Island State Park provides ample recreational opportunities including bird watching, fishing, hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitos are a common issue, especially in wooded areas. Early morning noise caused by airboats has been a significant disturbance for many visitors.

Active AlertsWater conservation advisory due to dry conditions. Visitors are encouraged to bring drinking water or purchase bottled water at the park.

Fire PolicyCampfires prohibited in some areas. Specific rules for bayside versus wooded sites not detailed.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced but specific times are not listed.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency contact numbers include Park Headquarters (361-729-2858) and After-Hours Emergency (361-238-6886).

Trash & RecyclingNo specific details about trash or recycling facilities were provided, but one review noted dumpsters were far from campsites.

Water FeaturesAransas Bay is the primary water feature within the park. A fishing pier extends into the bay.

Camp HostPark rangers and staff are generally helpful and knowledgeable based on user reviews.

Weather at Goose Island State Park

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

260 reviews

Satisfactory

Goose Island State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Goose Island State Park receives mixed reviews. The scenic views, wildlife, and recreational activities are praised by many, but issues with noise from airboats and mosquitoes are noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 260 reviews

What Campers Love

Bayfront camping with views, excellent fishing from shore/pier/boat without license from those areas, birdwatching, shaded oak sites, proximity to water for boating/kayaking, Big Tree.[1][2][4][6]

Based on 260 reviews

Common Concerns

Noise from early morning airboats, mosquitoes, lack of privacy at some sites, and issues such as odor near the fish cleaning station were frequently mentioned by visitors.

Based on 260 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reservations highly recommended as park reaches capacity, especially Memorial Day through Labor Day, October through Thanksgiving, and January through April; no ground fires on bayfront sites; pets...

Based on 260 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter is highlighted for birdwatching due to the presence of Whooping Cranes. Summers are noted to be hot with increased mosquito activity.

Based on 260 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Beautiful park, has beach front lots that comes with 50 amp service plus water.' (Anne McLeod) 'Definitely recommend for a vacation or some camping.' (Joshua DeCarlo) 'It was nice having the view...

Based on 260 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 14, located near the water and restrooms, was praised for its size and proximity to amenities but noted as being prone to mosquito activity. Site 131 was described as peaceful and enjoyable.

Based on 260 reviews