The Kemah area in Texas includes multiple coastal campgrounds with convenient access to both Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Several RV resorts offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional campsites, including USA RV Resorts Marina Bay located in Kemah proper and Jackie's Place RV Resort just a short distance away in Bacliff. These mixed-use campgrounds typically provide concrete pads, full hookups, and resort-style amenities like swimming pools and clubhouses. Bolivar Flats, approximately 15 miles southeast of Kemah, offers one of the few dispersed camping options in the vicinity, providing a more primitive experience for those seeking alternatives to established campgrounds.
Road conditions throughout the region remain favorable year-round with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. The Gulf Coast climate dictates camping patterns with high humidity and temperatures in summer months, while winter brings milder conditions ideal for outdoor activities. Most established campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak seasons and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell coverage is generally strong throughout the region given the proximity to urban areas. Many RV parks accommodate extended stays, with some visitors noting the prevalence of long-term residents. As one camper observed, "More long term tenants than over nighters. But still a good park. Quiet and kid friendly."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Kemah area, with several facilities offering views of Galveston Bay or access to marinas. Galveston Bay RV Resort & Marina provides direct water access for boaters, while other properties feature fishing docks or bayou frontage. Concrete pads are standard at most established campgrounds, helping to mitigate issues during rainy periods. Proximity to local attractions like the Kemah Boardwalk adds appeal for many visitors seeking convenient campgrounds near popular coastal destinations. A review of USA RV Resorts Marina Bay noted, "The location in Kemah is walking distance to several good restaurants and musical entertainment." Campgrounds in the area typically maintain clean facilities with amenities like laundry rooms, showers, and community spaces, though site spacing varies considerably between properties, with some campers commenting on the tight arrangement of RV pads.
$15 - $35 / night
"Tents are allowed at Surfside sites but they are more difficult to get reservations then at the tent sites a couple miles from the surf. we stayed in the tent sites away from the surf."
"Friendly staff, clean facilities, and great beach walks definitely contribute to a positive impression. It's wise to prefer the bay side sites for a quieter atmosphere and fewer crowds."
$49 - $79 / night
"Pool is located next to Jarbo Bayou for birdwatching, kayaking and fishing. There is a convenient laundry facility on site as well as a clubhouse. Staff is very friendly."
"The location in Kemah is walking distance to several good restaurants and musical entertainment. Across the street is Clear Lake Shores. A bayside community with boats."
"There’s a nice club house for parties, laundry facilities, a pool next to the bayou, fishing and kayaking/canoeing in the bayou and a friendly staff that keeps the park clean and cared for."
"Great place to stay in the beach in Texas."
"Adjacent to a preserve. Excellent."
$45 - $67 / night
"Located between Galveston and Houston, minutes from the Kemah Boardwalk, nestled on a quiet little road you will find Jackie's Place RV Resort. "
"Located in BACLIFF, Texas Galveston County… North Shore of Galveston Bay… Short Golf Cart Ride from Bay… Fenced Dog Park and Pool a must for Gulf Coast Heat…. Lots of places to eat and/or hang out."
$40 - $55 / night
"Bay RV Park is just two blocks away from Galveston Bay. We have huge, Texas-size sites with full hook-ups (20, 30 and 50 amp) and we also offer easy park pull-through sites. "
$35 - $40 / night
"There is also a dog park surrounded by water. Restrooms are small but clean. Staff was very helpful. If we were planning a return trip we would definitely stay there again."
"Nice friendly staff, short drive to Galveston Island. Nice seafood restaurants in the area. Fishing pier available short walk across the street."
"I also noticed all the people staying were very nice and would say hello or wave if driving by. There is 2 nice swimming pools. One pool for kids and the other for adults."
GuideIt's not the prettiest beach. Looks like the highway used to go through here and collapsed. It's free and there is garbage cans. We parked on an open blacktop area. The beach seems pretty solid maybe for a trailer or smaller RV. We are 30' class C towing so we stayed pretty close to the entrance. The highway does run right by
GuideGreat beach camping. From the east edge of Surfside Beach city limits up the coast about 6-7 miles is all open beach with Great hard pack for driving any vehicle on. Free. 14 day limit. Trash cans at each beach entrance. Please help keep the beach clean and free. Parks & Rec teams do a fantastic job of keeping the beach clean and maintained. They drove by several times each day. I was here for 2 weeks in February. Good verizon signal. No skeeters until the last few days when it got into the upper 70s and was very humid.
RangerThis was a great spot. Our site was level and easy to get set up. It was off season so the office was closed early when we arrived but they did call us to let us know and it all was pretty smooth.
Power, water, sewer great just as expected no surprises or problems. We loved our spot and the proximity to the beach do sunrises and walks to the Seawall. So many options for dining and we did love visiting Galveston.
We went to Seawall Church, the Farmers Market, Kite Shop and enjoyed Happy Hour watching the cruise ships pass by.
The Sandpiper has nice laundry room and community room. And a very nice pool, but it was too cold to enjoy. We would def stay again!
RangerThe pad had 50 Amp and Water, there is a dump station as you come in or leave.
The pictures on their website don’t show how large and nicely paved the area is. The table is under a large covering and you have plenty of space to enjoy the ocean breeze!
The beach is very nice and quiet (in February) and we enjoyed wonderful sunrises and walking/beach combing.
There were a few mosquitos at dusk…but the seems to disappear. The walkway to beach is very smooth and accessible. There are other RV parks in the area that you have to cross the road to get to the beach, we appreciated that it was on the beach! Bath houses were nice. Seemed pretty well kept and recently built. (A couple years maybe?)
GuideWe wanted to be close to the city so we could cycle around the sights of Galveston. The cheaper sites are actually on the street, with no fence around them and it was very noisy. We were able to move to a different site though which was great. The bathrooms were clean and well appointed. Happy to recommend a stay here but just be aware of the noise on the street.
TravelerWe stayed for 6 nights. Don’t be intimidated by staying on the beach! As others have suggested, the sand is packed more like dirt on this beach, which made it very comfortable to drive in. Our truck and trailer were safe throughout the week. We lucked out with good weather.
Things to note: there are trash cans right near the entrance of the beach only. No water near the beach, but if you drive to San Luis Pass County Park, ask the parks staff you’re staying on the beach and hopefully they’ll let you fill up (they let us!). Otherwise, gas stations nearby are good options. This was something that may be obvious to many, but we were very surprised by the moisture on this beach. Everything was totally soaked by dusk each day, and remained wet through night due to dew/ humidity. Recommend a car/rig self-wash right as you leave at TJ’s in Clute/Freeport. As others have noted, just watch the tide predictions, and you should be good. The tide never reached us, not even close.
During the weekdays, we were sometimes the only folks we could see anywhere on the beach, which was cool. It felt nice when other campers showed up at night, tho. They mostly kept a nice distance, so it felt nice and private. It was very often patrolled by parks staff. Highly recommend if you have off-grid power capabilities and don’t mind the humidity. Enjoy!
ScoutThis is a free park but you must be self contained. Email for a permit. Email parks@chamberstx.gov. Include your name, dates you want to stay, and email address. Attach a photo of your drivers license and license plate.
ScoutThe Dyrt is a go-to platform for campers who want honest, crowd-sourced info about where to pitch a tent or park an RV. It blends user reviews, photos, video and tips with maps of campgrounds across the U.S., from national parks to hidden boondocking spots. What makes it stand out is the real-world detail—people share what cell service is like, how noisy it gets, and whether a spot actually feels worth the drive. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a long road trip, The Dyrt helps turn guesswork into confidence before you head outdoors.
GuideStayed one week during the Freeze of Winter 2026! They communicated via email very well on the status of water. The facilities are very nice! The spots are tightly spaced together but there's plenty of room still to spread out.
The Kemah area sits on Galveston Bay's western shore, with most campgrounds located within a 20-mile radius of the Kemah Boardwalk. The coastal plain elevation ranges from 5-15 feet above sea level, creating unique drainage considerations during heavy rain. Most camping spots near Kemah, Texas remain accessible year-round thanks to concrete pads at established sites, though beach camping options require careful attention to tide schedules.
Fishing at multiple access points: Galveston Island State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities that don't require a license. "We took our inflatable boat out on the bay, went fishing (no license needed at a state park) and went to the Oceanside beach," reports Ashley C., highlighting the convenience for spontaneous anglers.
Kayaking in protected waters: The area features multiple bayou access points for paddlers. At Brickhouse RV Resort, you'll find "a pool located next to Jarbo Bayou for birdwatching, kayaking and fishing," according to Pat M., making it ideal for beginners with calmer waters.
Beach activities beyond swimming: The public beaches near camping areas offer more than just swimming. At Bolivar Flats, visitors enjoy beachcombing along shell-covered shores. One camper noted, "It is pretty, there are shells everywhere," providing a free activity when weather or water conditions aren't suitable for swimming.
Birdwatching year-round: The coastal location attracts diverse bird species, particularly during migration seasons. Tropical Gardens RV Park includes "a beautiful little pond in the RV park with a little flock of domestic ducks," mentioned in Russell B.'s review, giving visitors guaranteed wildlife viewing.
Concrete pads for weather resilience: Almost all established RV parks in the area feature concrete pads, which campers consistently appreciate. At USA RV Resorts Marina Bay, one visitor observed the park is "very neatly kept and very clean. Cement pads throughout," eliminating concerns about soft ground during rain.
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds in the Kemah area have invested in quality facilities. A reviewer at Galveston Island State Park noted the "gorgeous spacious bathrooms with literally granite countertops," demonstrating the higher-end amenities available even at state park locations.
Easy access to the boardwalk: The proximity to Kemah Boardwalk's attractions appears in numerous reviews. Kimberly N. states the USA RV Resorts Marina Bay location "is walking distance to several good restaurants and musical entertainment," eliminating transportation concerns for visitors without vehicles.
Waterfront camping options: Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping offers beach proximity unlike other local campgrounds. As Laura M. describes, "We love this beach. It's our third time staying here, and each time it's been quiet, peaceful, and hardly any other campers," providing a different experience from the more developed sites.
Beach camping requires permits: While some areas allow free camping, others enforce permit requirements. At Bolivar Flats, a camper noted, "The permits you buy are valid from January to December and we had heard that they don't really enforce the permit rule this late in the year," suggesting seasonal differences in enforcement.
Noise levels vary by location and day: Jackie's Place RV Resort and other campgrounds close to population centers can experience different noise patterns. Russell B. observed at Jackie's Place that "when we arrived the office was closed but the maintenance worker escorted us to a site," indicating variable staffing that might affect noise enforcement.
Weekday vs. weekend experiences: The area sees significant differences between weekday and weekend camping. One Bolivar Flats visitor reported, "The weekends are loud and busy, during the week it calms down and gets quiet," making timing an important planning factor.
Gulf weather influences: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. David P. warns campers to "Check the weather! I was there the night of a tornado watch. 70 mile an hour winds and heavy rain," highlighting the importance of weather monitoring in this region.
Pool availability by season: Families should confirm pool operating dates before booking. Space Center RV Park offers family-friendly amenities where one visitor was "able to stay 3 nights across the clubhouse and pool," but many parks close pools during winter months.
Kid-friendly beach areas: The gentler waters on the bay side tend to be more suitable for children than gulf-facing beaches. At Galveston Bay RV Resort & Marina, "There is 2 nice swimming pools. One pool for kids and the other for adults," providing supervised water options when gulf conditions aren't suitable.
Evening insect preparation: Coastal locations often experience significant insect activity. Ashley C. warns about Galveston Island State Park: "The only downside? The mosquitoes!! Right at dusk they attacked with a vengenge. Be prepared for that!" Parents should pack appropriate repellents and protective clothing.
Fishing opportunities for beginners: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing docks that don't require boats or extensive equipment. Dag D. reports at Galveston Bay RV Resort, "You will catch a fish in under 30 seconds at night using a live shrimp," making it accessible even for young children.
Site spacing considerations: Most RV parks in the area feature efficient spacing that might feel tight to some campers. At Brickhouse RV Resort, one RVer found "very tightly packed together" sites, recommending advance research for those requiring more space.
Extended stay options: Many campgrounds accommodate longer stays with discounted rates. Space Center RV Park received feedback from a guest who "could stay there longer but the journey had to roll on!" indicating flexible booking options.
Bayou overflow awareness: The low elevation means water levels can change with heavy rain. Jackie's Place RV Resort offers well-drained sites where "pads are all cement with room to park next to your rig," providing better protection during wet weather.
Arrival timing recommendations: Several reviews mention unexpected office closures or check-in challenges. At Jackie's Place, guests found "the office was closed but the maintenance worker escorted us to a site and said we could register later," suggesting midday arrivals might be optimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kemah, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kemah, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 213 campgrounds and RV parks near Kemah, TX and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kemah, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kemah, TX is Galveston Island State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kemah, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Kemah, TX.
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