Goose Island State Park Campground near Port Aransas, Texas offers two distinct camping environments. The wooded section provides water and electric hookups under mature Live Oak trees, while the bayfront section offers waterfront views. Campsites include amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and hookups with 30/50-amp service. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with mosquitoes being particularly prevalent in the wooded sections during warmer months.
What to do
Fishing from the pier: The fishing pier at Goose Island State Park Campground provides excellent access to the bay. "Good fishing spot. Water at primitive sites, separate from RV area," notes Shelly S., who appreciates the park's fishing amenities.
Birdwatching opportunities: The park's location near wildlife refuges makes it ideal for birding enthusiasts. Harry H. explains, "Right next to wildlife refuge, convenient to lots of beaches. Visited in winter for birding... Amazing sunrises." Some visitors have spotted rare species including Whooping Cranes.
Visit The Big Tree: This ancient oak is located a short distance from the campground. "Make sure to see 'The Big Tree' which is a short drive/bike ride away," recommends Harry H., referring to the 1,000+ year-old oak tree that stands as a natural landmark in the area.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: The vegetation between campsites in the wooded section creates secluded camping spots. Katie B. shares, "We really enjoyed staying in the wooded area of the park. Most spaces are very private because of the thick plant life."
Bayfront camping views: The waterfront sites offer direct bay access and views. "Choice of wooded or beach front. Beach front water/ele not private. Well maintained, nice informative staff," mentions Shelly S. about the campground layout options.
Digital connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, the park offers decent connectivity. "While most of the state parks do not have WI-FI, they say they do. It's very poor. I have T-Mobile, and the cell service at Goose Island was great. 5G was great. Also, the digital TV signal was excellent," reports Red S., highlighting an aspect important to many modern campers.
What you should know
Noise from airboats: The bayfront sites experience boat noise that may disturb some campers. Larry notes, "Air boats are loud early and late," while Eric R. confirms, "the air boats run all day on the weekends and are loud."
Low-hanging branches: The wooded camping area presents challenges for larger vehicles. "Watch out for low tree branches if you're staying in the wooded areas. If you're staying in the wooden area, stay on the outer loop if you're a big rig," advises Eric R., offering practical guidance for RV owners.
Hurricane recovery: The park continues to recover from past hurricane damage. "Remodeled after 2019 hurricane. A steal @ $22/night with TX Park Pass!" states George R. Another camper, Peg F., observed, "The campground was nice and clean. There is still a lot of damage from the hurricane."
Tips for camping with families
Bring insect repellent: The coastal location means insects are abundant, particularly in wooded areas. Jeff explains, "Yes there are bugs, but this is in the middle of reclaimed wetlands, so be prepared! This is their world and we must adapt."
Wildlife viewing with children: The park offers opportunities to spot local wildlife within the camping areas. "Lots of birds, deer, and fishing. I see attraction of the beach front, but the wooded area is really nice with private sites, camp for grills, tables and…trees for shade," shares David N.
Proximity to supplies: The campground's location offers convenient access to supplies and necessities. "Goose Island is close to Walmart, HEB and many other stores in restaurants. The park all around is great," says Red S., noting an advantage for families needing to restock during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose your campsite based on your rig size and preferences for privacy versus views. "Some of the RV sites 'skinny', be careful which you pick. Very private wooded lots," advises Shelly S.
Maneuvering larger rigs: Larger RVs require careful navigation in the wooded areas. "While there are some low branches- I was able to carefully maneuver into #125 with my tall fifth wheel. But it was close," shares David N., providing specific site information useful for those with larger rigs.
Weather considerations: Coastal weather patterns affect camping conditions. "We hit some big wind 3/21/22. We were in the beach front with waves crashing over so we got luck and moved to the wooded area," reports David N., highlighting the advantage of being able to relocate within the park during adverse weather.
