Follett's Island Beach offers free dispersed camping along a 13-mile stretch of Gulf shoreline with vehicle access directly onto packed sand. Located approximately 30 miles from Jamaica Beach, this primitive area allows overnight stays without reservations or fees, except for a $2 toll when approaching from Galveston. The beach provides natural pet exercise space with minimal restrictions, though campers should prepare for occasional beach debris and limited facilities.
What to do
**Beach fishing: Access points along Follett's Island Beach provide excellent shoreline fishing opportunities. "Apparently, the fishing is pretty good, too," reports Lisa S., who observed "cast fishermen with pickups at water's edge" during her stay.
**Explore bay areas: The western section of Galveston Island offers calmer waters for kayaking and wildlife viewing. "We took our inflatable boat out on the bay, went fishing (no license needed at a state park) and went to the Oceanside beach," shares Ashley C. about her experience at Galveston Island State Park Campground.
**Miniature golf: Several campgrounds maintain on-site recreational activities for non-beach days. At Jamaica Beach RV Resort, "putt putt and movie night" provide evening entertainment according to Jay W., who mentions the park is "about 20 minutes outside of Galveston."
**Stargazing: The relatively undeveloped west end of the island offers clearer night skies than more populated areas. "The stars were excellent at night and the sea breeze made for amazing sleeping weather," notes Nat&Rach C., who stayed at Follett's Island.
What campers like
**Convenient beach access: The proximity to water ranks highly in camper reviews. "Parked on beach with nobody else in sight. Hard to beat free camping on the beach," writes John H. about his experience at Follett's Island Beach.
**Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "Gorgeous spacious bathrooms with literally granite countertops," explains Ashley C. about Galveston Island State Park Campground, adding, "Lovely."
**Waterfront views: Campgrounds on both bay and beach sides offer waterfront settings. "The view on the far side of the circle as you enter is spectacular, looking over the water on the bay side," says Julie B. about her winter stay at Dellanera RV Park.
**Space between sites: Parks with adequate spacing receive better ratings. "We were pleasantly surprised by the level of privacy between sites and the beautiful greenery surrounding the campground, as we had a corner site with dog pen," reports John E. at Galveston Island KOA Holiday.
What you should know
**Tide awareness: Beach camping requires monitoring water levels. "We worried a little about the tide this time, but we kept an eye on it and it didn't come near us," writes Laura M. about Bolivar Flats Dispersed Camping, noting that during their December visit, the tide "didn't come up closer than 15 yards to the dunes."
**Insect preparation: Coastal wetlands support substantial mosquito populations. "The only downside? The mosquitoes!! Right at dusk they attacked with a vengenge. Be prepared for that!" warns Ashley C. about Galveston Island State Park Campground.
**Weather variability: Gulf coast camping conditions change rapidly. "Check the weather! I was there the night of a tornado watch. 70 mile an hour winds and heavy rain," recounts David P. about his experience at Bolivar Flats.
**Beach driving conditions: Most vehicles can navigate beach areas during dry conditions. "Sand is not soft so no 4x4 required," explains Stefan H. about Follett's Island, though Mitchell M. adds a caution to "pick your driving lanes and parking spots carefully without 4x4."
Tips for camping with families
**Water recreation options: Multiple parks offer swimming facilities beyond the beach. "The park has two pools, an extra large hot tub, lazy river and a kiddo section," writes Ricky B. about Jamaica Beach RV Resort, adding that "access to beach is a block Down."
**Splash zones: Dedicated water play areas provide safer alternatives to ocean swimming. "We enjoy the lazy river, putt, putt, and kayaking on the bay. It is an easy walk to the beach," explains D. Scott W. about Jamaica Beach RV Resort.
**Dedicated kids' activities: Scheduled programs enhance family stays. At Blue Water RV Resort, "they have everything from indoor heated pool, activity center, mini golf, golf cart parades, nightly activities like limbo holla hoop contests," according to Terry, who adds that they've been "so spoiled" they're "nervous to try camping elsewhere."
**Protected beach swimming: Not all beach areas permit safe water entry. Robert O. notes that at Galveston Island KOA Holiday, "There is beach access right across the street," providing convenient ocean access while maintaining the safety benefits of a developed campground.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection: Concrete pads provide stability in coastal sand environments. "Campsites are concrete, level, with a very nice shelter," reports Jim P., who stayed at Galveston Island State Park Campground, noting they "stayed on the beach side and easy access to the beach from pretty much any site."
**Full-hookup availability: Most established RV parks provide complete services. "The sites were well-maintained and spacious, with clean concrete pads that provided easy access for our motorhome," John E. shares about Galveston Island KOA Holiday.
**Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal facilities. "Electric and water sites; nice dump station," notes James P. about Galveston Island State Park Campground, highlighting the convenience of on-site services.
**Vehicle spacing: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks. "The park is kept up as far a grass being cut and clean restrooms," mentions Ricky B. about Jamaica Beach RV Resort, though Marina D. cautions it's "not for those looking for nature camping experience as you are close from neighbors (mostly big rigs)."
Scout
