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

340 Reviews of 117 Chapman Ranch Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • Christian M.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Padre Balli County Park

    Best deal in Texas

    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. The price for tent campers is $20 day or $125 weekly & it includes power, water and single private bathrooms and single private showers. You can only stay 14 days, then you have to leave for a day at least, but then you can come back for another 14 days. The showers and bathrooms are cleaned a couple times a day. There is no shade, but it has a couple ponds that make it a nice atmosphere. The office staff are the best in the business, bar none, I cant express how awesome they are. It has RV and tent camping, and it is always peaceful. Never seen any rowdy campers, and there are a lot of county park workers doing stuff so it is well monitored for trouble of any kind. They dont harass you though like a lot of campgrounds. You have a gate code and wifi, although the wifi leaves a lot to be desired at the moment. The beach is just across the street, and its a really fun part of the beach with a lot of things going on- people are friendly and there are a lot of things to do on the main road. It is on Padre Island, so you have to take a long bridge to get on the island from Corpus Christi, and the view is awesome on that bridge, but with all the attractions here on the island, you dont really need to go off the island for much.

  • crikeyroams ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    South Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

    Great Beach Camping

    PINS has always been my go to as far as Texas Overlanding goes. As someone who has traveled 99% of the country, finding a place that actually allows for on the beach camping like PINS is just about non existent.

    The down side of PINS is every time I have gone it has been overflowing with garbage. A lot of times you do need to pay attention where you are stepping.

    Overall the scenery is great, the dunes are right there and the water has always been extremely nice for Texas standards.

    To access south beach a 4x4 vehicle is required and strongly recommended!

  • Red S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Tropic Island Resort

    Great location

    The great location. My family and me have stayed here a number of times It's less than a mile to the beach. All the stores and restaurants are all close. Full hook ups along with a sewer. Like any RV park, the spots are close together and tight. They have some pull through, but most are back in.

  • K
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Mustang Island State Park Campground

    Terrible campground layout

    I’m not sure who came up with the layout of the sites here but it is beyond bizarre. The utilities are on the wrong side of camper and your site is behind your camper in a shared space. Picnic tables for each site are arranged under a pergola on a concrete pad shared with your neighbor. It is incredibly strange and uncomfortable to eat meals with strangers. I will never stay here again.

  • Red S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2025

    Lake Corpus Christi State Park Campground

    Great Camping area

    Great camping area. Pull through camping pads. Clean sites fire ring grill combos. Nice lake clean restrooms. Small town is really close if you need something. T-Mobile phone signal was good, and I had TV reception.

  • M
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Sea Grass RV Resort

    Great stay

    This RV park is such a hidden gem! The sites have plenty of space between each other, which gives you a nice sense of privacy. The pool is super clean and refreshing—perfect for relaxing on hot days. The common area is also really well-kept and inviting. Overall, it’s just a really nice and peaceful place to stay. Definitely recommend it if you’re looking for comfort and a laid-back vibe.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2025

    Lake Corpus Christi State Park Campground

    Nice and cheap

    Only $25 for full hookups, $15 for just water and electric, $10 for tents, $5 day fee. Lots of shade, lots of room in the FCU sites. Water is really low so no boat access, still beaches though. Surprisingly nice place.


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.