Best Campgrounds near Chapman Ranch, TX

The coastal region around Chapman Ranch, Texas provides access to several distinctive camping areas within an hour's drive, primarily concentrated along the Gulf Coast. Padre Island National Seashore dominates the camping landscape with multiple camping zones including North Beach, South Beach, Bird Island Basin, and Malaquite Campground. These areas accommodate various camping styles from RVs and tents to primitive beach camping. State parks like Mustang Island State Park Campground offer developed sites with hookups, while county parks such as Padre Balli County Park provide alternatives with more amenities. Several private RV parks and resorts cater to those seeking additional comforts or cabin accommodations.

Camping in this coastal region requires preparation for the specific conditions of beach environments. The campgrounds near Corpus Christi experience high humidity and strong winds throughout the year, with insects being prevalent in warmer months. Many beach camping areas are accessible by standard vehicles, though South Beach at Padre Island National Seashore requires 4WD beyond certain points. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with spotty coverage in more remote beach areas. Water and waste facilities are primarily concentrated at visitor centers and developed campgrounds. Several campers noted the importance of proper equipment for beach camping. According to one visitor, "BEACHES ARE WINDY, CAMP LIKE YOU'RE IN A TORNADO! METAL POLE TENTS WITH SAND RATED STAKES, & SECURE EVERYTHING!"

The mixed-use campgrounds in this area create distinct camping experiences based on location and amenities. Beachfront sites receive consistently high ratings despite their exposure to elements, with campers appreciating the direct ocean access and wildlife viewing opportunities. The wooded camping areas at places like Goose Island State Park offer more sheltered alternatives with greater privacy between sites. Visitors frequently mention the excellent birding opportunities throughout the region, particularly during winter months. Some developed campgrounds report issues with stickers in grassy areas affecting pets and barefoot walking. Campers frequently note the trade-off between beach proximity and amenities, with primitive beach camping offering unparalleled waterfront experiences but requiring self-sufficiency. As one camper reported, "Make sure to fill up on gas, water and ice before heading out on the 63 miles of available beach!"

Best Camping Sites Near Chapman Ranch, Texas (117)

    1. Mustang Island State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Rockport, TX
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 749-5246

    $25 / night

    "Fishing is free and legal in state Texas state parks without a license.)

    The beach is away from the touristy areas of Corpus!"

    "This spot gets 4 stars based on location, though it does have limited sites."

    2. North Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

    15 Reviews
    Padre Island National Seashore, TX
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 949-8068

    "Tables set up to be behind your rv. Kind of a strange setup. Showers and baths were clean. Laundry on site. Somewhat protected by dunes. No view of water. Pretty cheap and good access to beach."

    "It is large and paved, good amenities, good access to the beach. The beach spans the entire gulf coast if you are interested in walking from Florida to Mexico."

    3. Malaquite Campground — Padre Island National Seashore

    11 Reviews
    Chapman Ranch, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 949-8068

    "Just outside of Corpus Christi in a slightly more remote stretch of Texas coast rests Padre Island National Seashore, a beachfront land preserve operated by the United States Park System that offered a"

    "We spend a couple months camping at tons of parks around Texas and this was by far my favorite scenery from the site- the waves crashing :) The sites were quite close together, but the park was not very"

    4. South Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

    12 Reviews
    Padre Island National Seashore, TX
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 949-8068

    "There is a whole lot of Texas, but not a ton of public land lies therein. One exception to this is Padre Island National Seashore."

    "PINS has always been my go to as far as Texas Overlanding goes."

    5. Padre Balli County Park

    10 Reviews
    Padre Island National Seashore, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 949-8121

    "The proximity to the Gulf of America and the full hookup sites are an awesome combination."

    "I love this site Best in Texas, you can see and hear the ocean from your tent, and its on the Island so there are a lot of attractions for visitors."

    6. Bird Island Basin Campground — Padre Island National Seashore

    5 Reviews
    Chapman Ranch, TX
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 949-8068

    "First time to Texas and was pleasantly surprised with the national park and this specific camp ground."

    "There’s about a 50 foot waist high depth off of your campsite which is right next to the water. the wind is brutal to tents so be weary."

    7. Firefly Coastal Bend- Corpus Christi

    4 Reviews
    Corpus Christi, TX
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (980) 249-3240

    $47 - $68 / night

    "This was the perfect place to stay in proximity of our son's house. Nice, clean campground with bay views , great sunrise and sunset. The only negative is you have to prepay your stay 10 in advance ."

    8. Colonia Del Rey RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Corpus Christi, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 937-2435

    $43 - $80 / night

    "This place is centrally located near a lot of services and activities. There's lots of pavement, which is not a huge selling point, but the dust is greatly reduced as a result."

    "The park is close to H-E-B and not too far from multiple beaches."

    9. NAS RV Park Corpus Christi

    3 Reviews
    Corpus Christi, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 961-1293

    $12 - $20 / night

    "Potholes are horrible in some areas. 2nd the picnic tables are so rusted through that many are unusable. 3rd the goat heads or grass burrs are a nightmare especially if you step on one in the middle"

    "Wi-Fi was nearly unusable but T-Mobile 5G was over 200Mbps down and perfect for working remotely."

    10. Hatch RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Corpus Christi, TX
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 883-9781

    $48 / night

    "i was expecting a higher price for being so close to downtown Corpus Christi and North beach, just 12-15 min. Level concrete pads full hook ups and very nice manager."

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Recent Reviews near Chapman Ranch, TX

347 Reviews of 117 Chapman Ranch Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Gulf Waters RV Resort

    Beautiful Place

    It's a great place to stay !!! Staff is nice and very helpful. Showers are clean. Every lot is different and some are very unique !!! I would venture to say that they all have different owners and some are for sale. The best part is the short walk or golf cart ride to the beach and ocean!!! Now for the downside of this place that we have found ! Mosquitoes in the evenings and mornings are intense especially around the ponds and grassy areas. So if you have pets be prepared to get eaten !!! The pet areas are close to the ponds and are small to say the least !!! The pet areas are scattered around the camp sites. Some are close to some of the campers. There are two vacant lots on the very Eastside of the property that are ok. The problem with these are that they have stickers (sand burrs)and if you have small hairy dogs it could be a horrible experience for your pet!!!

    There are some full time owners/ residents/ guests. We have found a mix of campers. From the $30 k to the over $500 k plus crowd. Some people are friendly and some are not!!!! There is a private vibe to most of the crowd we feel!!!

    You can also rent golf carts and drive them to Port A. You will have to drive them on the beach if you want to go to town on them. They are not allowed on the Highway !!

    These are just our opinions and what we have experienced !! Have a great camping experience!!! That is all!!!

  • Kelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Sea Grass RV Resort

    Awesome

    So clean, helpful, friendly and reasonable price

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Portland RV Park

    Cheapest Monthly Site in Corpus Christi and Portland

    All bills included. Nothing fancy here, no amenities but they do have wifi and it's included at no additional cost. Nice sized dumpster has come in handy a couple of times.

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Aransas Pass RV & Storage

    Affordable, Convenient, Safe

    The location is incredibly convenient— just a 5-minute drive to H-E-B and Walmart, which made stocking up a breeze. Every site comes with all utilities included in the lot rent— no surprise extra fees. The park feels very safe and well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and professional. Highly recommend for monthly guests.

    They also have self-storage on site, with a discount for guests.

  • janet S.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Aransas Pass RV & Storage

    Very Affordable, Convenient, Safe

    We had a fantastic stay at Aransas Pass RV Park! The location is incredibly convenient— just a 5-minute drive to H-E-B and Walmart, which made stocking up a breeze. Every site comes with all utilities included in the lot rent— no surprise extra fees. The park feels very safe and well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and professional. Highly recommend for anyone visiting the area!

  • rspillers84
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Portland RV Park

    SUPER close to Everything, VERY Affordable, All Utils Included

    Portland RV Park is a very simple, well-kept park. The owner maintains it as nice as possible, but it’s not a resort— it’s a practical, affordable place for people who work in Corpus Christi, Portland, Aransas Pass, or anywhere in the area and want to be central to everything happening.

    Rates are just$600/month with all bills included, making it one of the best values in the region. The park offers a great view of the bay, and you can even fish right off the back of the property! 

    It’s just down the street from the new public boat dock for easy access to the water. If you’re looking for a quiet, affordable spot close to work and the water, Portland RV Park is a solid choice— simple, central, and convenient for long-term stays or Winter Texans!

  • rspillers84
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Aransas Pass RV & Storage

    Very Affordable Monthly and Weekly Sites, Close to Walmart and HEB

    Excellent monthly rate with all utilities included. 

    The site was spacious enough for my 5th wheel and truck side-by-side. 

    Roads are easy to navigate since it’s just one big loop, and the internet worked well. 

    Conveniently located only 5 minutes from Walmart and HEB. We really enjoyed our stay and plan to return next summer for a month or two

  • Edward L.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Aransas Pass RV & Storage

    Great Stay! Affodable rent!

    I was looking for an affordable RV spot and came across this park. Checked out their website, gave them a call, and booked right away. Great location, $300/Month rent, Wi-Fi, and all utilities included! Highly recommend.

  • Paul James B.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Aransas Pass RV & Storage

    Sooo Excellent!!! Affordable rates/close to work

    I’ve stayed here for about 3 months and really enjoyed it. Since I work nearby, I’ll likely be back next summer. Affordable rates and a quiet atmosphere, highly recommend!


Guide to Chapman Ranch

The coastal area surrounding Chapman Ranch offers an array of camping options along the Laguna Madre and Gulf shoreline. The National Seashore dominates this camping landscape with elevations rarely exceeding 15 feet above sea level. High humidity persists year-round, with summer temperatures regularly climbing above 90°F and consistent winds of 10-20 mph creating challenging tent conditions.

What to do

Sunrise wildlife viewing: At Malaquite Campground, guests often spot coastal birds and occasionally sea turtles during morning hours. "During the day you will have day visitors set up near you but not on top of you but at night it was like we were the only people on the beach," notes Chastity H. who visited South Beach.

Fishing opportunities: The Laguna Madre at Bird Island Basin Campground provides excellent fishing access with shallow waters ideal for wade fishing. "The intercoastal channel runs directly parallel to the beach and its teeming with redfish and plenty other species of saltwater fish," reports Dan D.

Beach exploration: Pack proper footwear for the shoreline at South Beach where vehicles can drive directly on the beach. "You can drive down the beach to find your perfect spot to set up your tents by the dunes," explains Chastity H., adding that "very clean chemical toilets are near the beach entrance."

What campers like

Direct beach access: Campers consistently rate the proximity to water highly at many sites. "One side is the bay and the other is the ocean, lovely water views everywhere," writes Kim B. about Mustang Island State Park Campground.

Marine wildlife: The opportunity to observe coastal creatures makes for memorable experiences. "Wildflowers were lovely," notes Kim B. about the primitive camping areas, while Tucker B. mentions that "there's also water, trash bins, and a bathroom" at visitor center locations.

Affordable camping options: Several campgrounds offer budget-friendly options for extended stays. "With national senior park lifetime pass, $4/night. No amenities but there is a dump station and fresh water," explains Linda G. about Bird Island Basin, adding it's "10' from the water. Beautiful!!"

What you should know

Wind conditions: Wind poses significant challenges for tent campers throughout the coastal area. "You need to be aware of the weather of course," explains Shelly S., adding, "Hope you are well practiced in setting up a tent in windy conditions."

Limited shade: Most campgrounds in the region have minimal tree cover. "Being that this is Texas, it's super hot all day and all night long. It's worse when there is no shade to shield you," Andrea F. notes about Mustang Island, adding, "The area is clean, the beach is clean, and it is about what you can expect from a Corpus Christi beach area camp site."

Beach driving requirements: For Padre Island National Seashore, four-wheel drive becomes increasingly necessary as you travel south. "You can drive right on the beach like a highway, in fact people do even in big rigs," explains Starseed P. about Mustang Island's beach access.

Tips for camping with families

Protected camping areas: For families with young children, consider sites behind dunes. "Loved that the beach was walking distance from camp, but the sites were guarded by the dunes. Really helped fend off the wind," explains Kayla M.

Facility planning: Many families appreciate knowing where showers are located. "The campground is essentially a big parking lot, no privacy, no trees," states Eric B., who still rated the camping area favorably due to its "beautiful sandy beach in an unspoiled, undeveloped natural area."

Beach safety preparation: Beaches near Padre Balli County Park have changing conditions that require monitoring. "You can see and hear the ocean from your tent, and its on the Island so there are a lot of attractions for visitors," writes Christian M., adding that the "price for tent campers is $20 day or $125 weekly."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: Many RV sites have unusual layouts. "The utilities are on the wrong side of camper and your site is behind your camper in a shared space," notes Kristen W. about Mustang Island's configuration.

Salt exposure: Coastal conditions can impact RV exteriors. "If you don't want salt on your rigs don't come here. There are times when its so thick you could use an ice scraper," warns Mimi B. about camping near the shore.

Road conditions: Access roads to the best places to camp near Chapman Ranch, Texas often have maintenance issues. "1st the roads really need to be repaired. Potholes are horrible in some areas," reports Mimi B., though she adds that despite these issues, "we really like it here" because "you can't beat the location to Padre Island and Port Aransas."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Chapman Ranch, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, Chapman Ranch, TX offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Chapman Ranch, TX and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Chapman Ranch, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chapman Ranch, TX is Mustang Island State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chapman Ranch, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Chapman Ranch, TX.