Camping near Matagorda, TX

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    Camping near Matagorda, Texas ranges from full-hookup RV parks to free dispersed beach sites, covering coastal and riverside options across the area. Campground options include Matagorda Bay Nature Park situated at the junction of the Colorado River and Gulf of Mexico, offering full-hookup sites for RVs, tent camping areas, and cabin accommodations. Lighthouse RV Park and Serendipity Bay RV Resort cater primarily to RV campers but also feature cabins and tent sites. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Matagorda Beach offers free dispersed camping directly on the sand where primitive camping is permitted without designated facilities.

    Access to camping areas varies significantly by location, with several developed campgrounds providing paved pads and full hookups for RVs. Beach camping requires four-wheel drive vehicles as noted in multiple reviews, particularly at Matagorda Beach where sand driving can be challenging. The coastal climate brings consistent breezes but also heavy mosquito activity during warmer months, especially in the mornings and evenings. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though summer brings higher temperatures and humidity. Waterfront sites at established campgrounds typically require advance reservations, particularly on weekends. A visitor noted: "Be sure to get a beach parking permit from the gas station before crossing the bridge, costs $10."

    Many campers highlight the unique setting where the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico as a primary attraction. Fishing opportunities abound both in the river and gulf waters, with several campgrounds providing fishing piers with cleaning stations. Reviews consistently mention spectacular sunsets over the water as a highlight of staying at waterfront sites. Limited shade presents a challenge, with one review pointing out "absolutely no trees or vegetation between sites which equals NO SHADE and NO PRIVACY." While most developed campgrounds offer modern amenities like showers and laundry facilities, visitors should be prepared for the exposed coastal setting. Cell service is generally available but can be limited, and the nearest significant shopping is in Bay City, approximately 20 minutes from Matagorda.

    Best Campgrounds near Matagorda (85)

      1. Matagorda Bay Nature Park

      4.3(10)7mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This park is located inside the Matagorda Nature Preserve and located directly on the ICW with a beautiful view from pretty much every camp site."

      "Miles and miles of beaches to drive on and enjoy, plus tons of small ponds on the other side of the dunes. The small ponds contain numerous small fish and hermit crabs."

      from $27 - $50 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Matagorda Bay Nature and RV Park

      4.0(5)7mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Saturday morning 1.5 hour guided Gulf beach walk($5/pp) by Paige and Whitley. Paige knew her“stuff” as she was pelted continuously with questions and she never missed a beat!"

      "Fishing right outside your RV. Walk to the beach or there is access to drive on the beach I would advise a 4wheel drivevehicle. I’ve been to this campground a few times."

      3. Matagorda Beach Dispersed Camping

      4.5(2)7mi from MatagordaTents

      "This is camping in the sand on Matagorda Beach. No accommodations. Will need 4 x 4 to get out and down the beach."

      4. Lighthouse RV Park

      2.5(2)5mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      5. FM 521 River Park

      4.0(1)7mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents

      "Besides the highway being so close, it's really nice. Can't complain...it's freeeee! Happy New Year everyone."

      6. Serendipity Bay RV Resort

      4.5(4)16mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      from $40 - $50 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Riverside Park

      4.0(1)16mi from MatagordaRVs, Tents

      from $25 - $35 / night

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      8. Matagorda Fishing Paradise

      Be the first to review1mi from Matagorda

      from $50 - $110 / night

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      9. Harbor View RV Resort

      Be the first to review1mi from Matagorda

      10. Gorda River Lot

      Be the first to review3mi from Matagorda1 site

      from $40 - $75 / night

      Check Availability

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    Recent Reviews near Matagorda, TX

    159 Reviews of 85 Matagorda Campgrounds

    • Matt K.
      Sep. 14, 2026

      El Campo Lost Lagoon

      For Drinkers and Partiers

      If you are a drinker who likes to party and pay for over priced, watered down drinks, then this place is right up your alley. The weekends are full of loud, obnoxious people driving around in illuminated golf carts blaring loud, explicit music and screaming to each other across sites. On Sundays, everyone leaves and the place becomes a ghost town with only a few sites occupied the rest of the week. They close everything up early during the week because of it, typically an hour early. We drank one night and was served arguably the worst margaritas we've ever had served in a small, clear plastic cup that was filled to the brim with ice. There are no posted prices anywhere and I found out those horrible drinks cost$10 each. This concept is clearly built into their business model because they have you pay for all the amenities with your wristband that's linked to your credit card so when you buy something, they scan your wristband and don't inherently inform you how much they are pulling. You have to explicitly ask every time. The pool layout is designed with the drinkers in mind with two pool side bars, band stage, and lots of tables and cabanas(additional fees to use of course). It's not conducive for kids playing or anything like that. The lazy river is a terrible design because the ledge is continuous sharp rocks that catch your raft/floatie and sounds like it's going to pop it. It also contains several areas where you have to watch your head from contacting low bridges, rocks, etc., and then at the end, it spits you out into the pool with all the tables and you bump into people eating and drinking. In order to return, you have to paddle your way back to the entrance, through the people and tables, or get off and walk over. The experience is hardly a lazy or relaxing one. Another fundamental complaint about this place is that almost everything costs additional money above your base site fee, including WiFi, RC cars, pool obstacle course, arcade, floaties/rafts, etc. Also, the place claims it's completely cashless, but that's not 100% true. The laundry takes coins and so does the arcade. I wasn't fond of the staff either, because they were rude and snooty. The El Campo and Wharton areas have a lot of nice, down-to-earth people...they just don't work here. The bugs are REALLY bad here too on top of everything else. There is simply WAY too much competition in this areas of Texas to sell yourself short and stay at El Campo Lost Lagoon and get eaten alive by fire ants and flying insects.

    • Trent R.
      Sep. 14, 2026

      El Campo Lost Lagoon

      A Non-Family Friendly Money Grab

      My wife posted a review after our stay, and the owner responded to it. The response was later removed, but we captured a screenshot beforehand for documentation. I am adding this review to provide a clear record of our experience and the sequence of events. Prior to arrival, we spoke with a staff member named Barbie, who quoted a monthly rate of$1,300 plus a$200 event fee for the weekend of September 11. During that conversation, we asked whether the initial payment could be applied toward the monthly rate if we chose to extend our stay. We were told this would be possible. After the weekend, I returned to the office to request the monthly rate and apply the amount already paid, but management declined to honor that verbal agreement. The amenities differed from what we expected based on the website and photos. Many features require additional fees, including Wi‑Fi, and several amenities are limited unless those fees are paid. During our stay, the park was significantly busier on weekends than weekdays. We observed approximately five to ten occupied sites out of more than 200 during weekdays. Because of the lower weekday activity, certain facilities—such as the kitchen being closed during the week, pools closing earlier than expected, and hot tub jets not being available—made the experience comparable to a standard RV park rather than a resort. The site length also differed from our expectations. The park advertises 80‑foot sites, but our 40‑foot RV plus 20‑foot trailer left very limited space for our vehicle. At other locations with 80‑foot sites, we can park our vehicle normally and parallel to the RV without issue. At this location, we had to park the vehicle sideways to fit, which suggests the listed site length may not reflect the usable space. We also attempted to use the on‑site propane service. Staff were unable to fill our tank and suggested the issue was with the tank itself. We later had the tank filled at Love’s in Wharton, where it accepted 23 gallons without issue. For visitors primarily interested in weekend recreation, social activities, or events—and who plan to use the paid amenities—this location may be a good fit. Our experience differed due to the length of our stay, the change in the verbal agreement, the limitations of the amenities during weekdays, and the owner’s now‑removed response to my wife’s review.

    • Lisa  L.
      Sep. 12, 2026

      El Campo Lost Lagoon

      What RVers Should Know: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly After 3 Weeks

      We stayed at El Campo Lost Lagoon for three weeks, including multiple weekends and Labor Day, so our experience wasn't based on a single busy weekend. There are positives. The property is new, the main pool is nice, and we genuinely enjoyed the live music. Unfortunately, the overall experience—particularly the pricing and handling of a serious incident involving minors—left us unwilling to return. PRICING: We were quoted$1,500 for a month. Because we didn't know how long we'd need to stay due to my husband's job, we specifically asked whether our weekly payments could be rolled into the monthly rate if we stayed longer. We were told YES. We therefore booked at$650/week. We ultimately needed three weeks, but management refused to convert us to the monthly rate. We paid$1,950 for THREE weeks—$450 more than we'd been quoted for FOUR weeks. Different weekly/monthly rates are normal; our issue is that we specifically asked beforehand and were told the payments could roll over. Extended-stay RVers: get your rate arrangement in writing. AMENITIES/INTERNET: We weren't told when booking or checking in that essentially everything except the main pool would be closed. The hot tub required asking an employee to turn on the jets, which didn't always happen, and over Labor Day weekend bar staff told us it wasn't working. There was no included campground Wi-Fi available to us. We purchased the third-party service we were given information for and found it terrible. Bring your own hotspot if reliable internet matters. POOL/WEEKENDS: We enjoyed the live music, but during performances the main pool becomes much more of an event/party area. The stage and reserved tables, combined with people gathering near the stage, substantially reduce swimming space, and the speakers were so loud that normal conversation in the pool area was difficult. Across multiple weekends—not just Labor Day—we observed guests who appeared highly intoxicated, loud golf-cart music, profanity/adult language around children, and groups socializing beyond the resort's 10 p.m. music cutoff. Adults drinking and having fun isn't our complaint. Our concern was the lack of consistent enforcement and balance for a property marketed toward families. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN: During Labor Day weekend, our minor son's property was vandalized by another minor camper. When our son attempted to address it with the child's family, an adult family member became extremely aggressive toward him and appeared highly intoxicated when we arrived. Multiple minors witnessed the incident, including children 13 and younger. Management's immediate focus when we arrived was how quickly my husband had driven through the campground to reach our son. He was pulled aside, leaving me, our minor son, another minor child and the aggressive adult while the underlying situation remained unresolved. We ultimately called law enforcement. Multiple minor witnesses spoke with officers, and one child had recorded the incident and provided the video directly to police. Afterward, that child expressed fear of retaliation. Our son walked him safely back to his campsite, where I instructed my son to remain until I personally picked him up after another camper reported that members of the other family were driving around looking for the boys and asking where they were staying. We cannot speak to anyone's intentions, but given what had just happened, we took it seriously. Despite law enforcement responding to an incident involving multiple minors, we received no follow-up from management asking whether the children were okay or whether there were continuing safety concerns. The matter is currently being investigated by a detective. Because the investigation is active and minors are involved, we aren't publicly posting the video or other evidence at this time.bAfter I posted our experience on Google, the business account initially responded,“Sounds about right….😒” The response was later removed. I’ve included the original screenshot with this review and will allow readers to interpret the response for themselvesOTHER RV NOTES: The property is new, so there are essentially no mature trees or natural shade. We experienced a tremendous number of bugs. We also regularly heard repeated gunfire during the day; there is an outdoor gun/rifle range in the El Campo area, although we cannot say it was the source. You'll also hear nearby cows and roosters. BOTTOM LINE: The pool and live music were enjoyable and the property has potential. But after paying$1,950 for three weeks after being told our weekly payments could roll into a$1,500 monthly rate, unavailable amenities, poor paid internet, the recurring weekend atmosphere, and especially management's handling of the incident involving minors outweighed the positives for our family. We would not stay here again.

    • Real E.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 2, 2026

      Magnolia Beach RV Park

      Coastal Quiet Haven

      We were doing a little Texas coastal crawl and wanted a quiet place to use as our home base for about a week. Magnolia Beach RV Park turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. If you're expecting a big resort with lots of activities, this isn't it, and that's exactly why we enjoyed it so much. The park was peaceful, well maintained, and never felt crowded. It was the perfect place to come back to after spending the day exploring the coast, fishing, or just relaxing by the water. One of the things we appreciated most was being within walking distance of Magnolia Beach. It was easy to head down to the shoreline (shell beach) whenever we wanted. We'd definitely stay here again the next time we're exploring the Texas coast. Their weekly rates were really low!

    • Nicole R.
      Jul. 11, 2026

      Serendipity Bay RV Resort

      Serendiy by the bay 100%

      Love it here the best rv park we have been to they have honestly everything you could ask or need to vacation here its the place to be and very family-friendly

    • P
      Jun. 12, 2026

      El Campo Lost Lagoon

      RV park built around the pool

      The pool is the center piece for sure. With a swim up bar, lazy river, hot tub, rope swing, and water slides.

      We stayed in the cottages. (Bring extra pillows and coffee, they wont give you any)

      Staff was friendly I did feel a bit nickel and dimed I mean I had to buy a basketball in order to play on their court ($17.99)

      Overall a great time, great place to have a family meet up!

    • Ramon H.
      May. 25, 2026

      Sunrise on Mag RV Park

      Easy access | Awesome views

      Great place to stay. I rented one of the RV spots for a few of days, while my friends booked one of their vintage RVs. We had a blast, we fished right in front of the place and on the public pier steps away from the site. We made a camp fire, s'mores, the views of the stars was amazing too.  Easy to park the RV, 100 ft from the water, 50 Amps connection, water spigot, septic, WiFi and trash. Beautiful views, friendly people, cool vibe.  Highly recommend!

    • Vanessa F.
      May. 22, 2026

      El Campo Lost Lagoon

      Fun Vacation

      A nice little getaway, filled with fishing, crawfish on Friday nights, & swimming as well. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was having to pay extra for some activity center crafts. The bar had great alcoholic beverages, & the campground was clean & tidy.

    • D
      May. 5, 2026

      Surfside Beach Dispersed Camping

      Amazing

      Somos una comunidad de latinos en Dallas y fuimos aquí para tener un campamento y la verdad que todo estuvo increíble, fuimos más de 100 personas

    Guide to Matagorda

    Matagorda's camping landscape sits at the junction of the Colorado River and Gulf of Mexico, with an elevation near sea level and a humid subtropical climate. The area receives approximately 48 inches of annual rainfall, creating diverse wetland ecosystems adjacent to camping areas. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with humidity levels above 80%.

    What to do

    Fishing opportunities: At Riverside Park, campers access both the Colorado River and Hossey Slough. "This park is about 7 miles from Bay City and is between the Colorado River and Hossey Slough. There are two camping loops," notes Larry R., adding that the Wilderness loop offers a "very rustic feel and is beautiful."

    Beach exploration: The Matagorda Beach Dispersed Camping area provides direct beach access with minimal development. "Plenty of driftwood to gather for huge bonfires that we do every time we go. Very secluded, usually no one passes by if you down far enough," reports NickFromTexas.

    Bird watching: Coastal wetlands attract numerous bird species year-round. "Great spot for bird watching and fishing! The staff is incredibly nice," writes Jenise about Matagorda Bay Nature Park, noting that "the beach is within walking distance."

    What campers like

    Waterfront views: Matagorda Bay Nature and RV Park offers sites along the Colorado River. "You are right on the Colorado river (20 ft from water) on one side and the gulf of Mexico on the other," explains Rob C., though he notes sites can feel crowded.

    Quiet atmosphere: Serendipity Bay RV Resort provides a peaceful waterfront setting. "Enjoyed the peaceful sunrises and sunsets and the constant breeze was a plus to keep the humidity and heat down," writes Jon L., mentioning that the "very well-maintained and pet-friendly RV park" offers "various amenities such as a pool, fishing pier, and dog park."

    Free camping options: FM 521 River Park offers no-cost sites near the water. "Arrived, Beautiful place. A few other ppl here. Boat launch, Porta potties. Besides the highway being so close, it's really nice. Can't complain...it's freeeee!" reports Ang W.

    What you should know

    Weather challenges: Strong coastal winds affect camping comfort at many sites. "Ocean 'breeze' made it impossible to deploy trailer awning," notes Napunani at Jetty Park, adding that "when the ocean 'breeze' died down and the humidity was up, we were attacked by swarms of mosquitos which required us to heavily apply repellent in mid-February."

    Beach driving requirements: Four-wheel drive vehicles are necessary for beach camping. "Will need 4 x 4 to get out and down the beach. Be sure to get a beach parking permit from the gas station before crossing the bridge, costs $10," advises NickFromTexas about Matagorda Beach.

    Limited services: Most campgrounds lack comprehensive amenities. "No camp store in Park. Closest H‑E‑B, Walmart and Tractor Supply in Bay City. No grocery stores in Matagorda but there is a Dollar General store," reports Napunani about Jetty Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Activity options: Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers programs beyond camping. "Saturday morning 1.5 hour guided Gulf beach walk ($5/pp) by Paige and Whitley. Paige knew her 'stuff' as she was pelted continuously with questions and she never missed a beat!" shares Napunani.

    Kid-friendly features: Look for campgrounds with beach access and facilities. "My family and I really enjoyed this park. Every lot has a concrete slab as well as a picnic table area! Close to the beach which made it easy to take a nap to allow my toddler to take a nap," writes Karissa D. about Jetty Park.

    Protection essentials: Pack sun and bug protection for children. "Take plenty of anti-mosquito repellent, as around mid-morning and late afternoon, the mosquitoes come out in force," warns Jon L. about Serendipity Bay RV Resort.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Reserve waterfront sites early at popular camping spots near Matagorda, Texas. "If you book early enough you can reserve a lot right on the water which is awesome!" recommends Karissa D. about Jetty Park.

    Hookup availability: Most established campgrounds offer full hookups. "Paid a few more dollars to have a pull thru site with FHU, cable & level concrete pad to pull on to," reports Stuart K. about Serendipity Bay RV Resort, noting additional amenities like "nice big bathrooms with showers, laundry, pool, playground, gym room, small fenced dog run and large heated community room."

    Shower facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "The reason for the low rating is the bathroom and shower. They are in poor condition and dirty to the point of unsanitary," warns Liz P. about Lighthouse RV Park, adding "we chose not to use the shower it was that bad, and we really needed one."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where are the best RV parks in Matagorda, Texas?

    Matagorda Bay Nature and RV Park offers full hookup sites with ocean sounds, clean facilities, and beach access. The park features concrete pads, good roadways, and a nature center with interactive exhibits. For a more laid-back option, Beacon 44 RV Park provides amenities like a pool with games for kids, laundry facilities, a catch-and-release fishing pond, and a clubhouse with a full kitchen and showers, making it perfect for extended stays.

    What camping options are available at Matagorda Beach and Bay?

    At Matagorda Beach Dispersed Camping, you can camp directly on the sand with no formal amenities, though you'll need a 4x4 vehicle and a $10 beach parking permit available at the gas station before crossing the bridge. For more developed options, Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers electric and water hookups with sites located on the Intracoastal Waterway, providing beautiful views, restrooms, and a self-service ice machine. The park is situated within the nature preserve, giving campers easy access to both bay and beach environments.

    Can you camp on Matagorda Island and what permits are required?

    While Matagorda Beach offers camping opportunities, Matagorda Island itself has more restricted camping options as it's part of the Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area. For beach camping at Matagorda Beach, you need a $10 beach parking permit purchased at the gas station before crossing the bridge. Access requires a 4x4 vehicle to navigate the sand. The island itself has primitive camping with no facilities, and visitors need to arrange boat transportation to reach it. Always check current regulations with Texas Parks and Wildlife before planning a trip to the island, as permits and access rules may change seasonally.

    Are there family-friendly camping facilities in Matagorda, Texas?

    60 North RV Park is highly rated for families, offering clean facilities and reasonable rates for both short and extended stays. For families seeking recreational activities, Texana Park & Campground provides wildlife viewing opportunities (including alligators) and lake access about 20 miles from the coast. The park features full-service sites, security gates that close overnight, and a quiet environment perfect for families looking to enjoy nature together.