Best Dispersed Camping near Rockport, TX

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Rockport

62 Reviews of 6 Rockport Campgrounds

• A

  Angela R.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 1, 2024

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Another Great Stay

  This is our second time to Boondock on the beach. We were at marker 25 and once again thoroughly enjoyed it. It was Labor Day weekend so it was PACKED. People will pile in on top of you, but that’s the way it is. Not enough beach for so many people. The meter maid lady will harass you endlessly, but we just ignored her and continued having fun. There is a 3 night maximum in a 21 day period. Don’t try to outsmart the meter maid. She takes pictures of license plates and writes down the departure dates. She enjoys enforcing the rules.

• A

  Angela R.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 9, 2024

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Great Stay

  We are Boondocking at MM 27 there are of course no hookups but I.B Magee allows you to dump and fill your tanks for $10. People pile on top of you during the day and we got a $281 ticket for parking parallel to the beach (we thought you only had to be perpendicular at the posts). That’s all the bad. Literally it. The beach is beautiful, the breeze is so nice we didn’t even run our generator during the day, the people are so fun, and the luxury of not packing our stuff up to drive to the beach every day is wonderful. We are already planning our next trip.

• R

  Ron P.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 10, 2024

  South Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

  South Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

  We've spent many winter months around the Corpus Christi, Texas area and visit South Beach frequently. Plenty to do; fishing, sunbathing, bird watching, photography, and on some evenings after dark you can spot deer and coyote come out of the sand dunes to feed on seaweed and fish remains. We prefer to camp at nearby Malequite campground for $5 a night with water, bathrooms and showers. The visitor's center has some supplies.

• 1

  15116 D.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 4, 2024

  Magnolia Beach

  Rough

  No sand, only rocks. One set of bathrooms was very dirty and the other set were locked. All the best area say no camping.

• 

  Ted S.

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 11, 2024

  Magnolia Beach

  Boondocking only

  Right by the gulf and on shell and coral covered beach. Free camping for all types up to 14 days.

• 

  Star J.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 5, 2023

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  great

  It sounds like Port Aransas offers a fantastic beach experience! The allowance for small campfires adds a cozy touch for those cookie clicker who want to enjoy the beach atmosphere well into the evening.

• 

  Bryce M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 8, 2023

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Tons of space to set up camp

  Port Aransas offers miles of beach designated for camping and day use. You must have a beach camping permit to stay overnight. Weekends get a little crowded during the day, but it quiets down in the afternoon.

  Watch out for coyotes! They are everywhere and can be aggressive. We had at least 5 in the area, but they never came closer than about 50ft away.

• 

  mitch M.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 6, 2023

  North Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

  Summer beach camping

  Pull up, pick your spot, set up camp and enjoy. I suggest bringing fresh water to rinse off. Make sure you look at the beach to make sure you're not in reach of the tide. Those are probably the 2 most important things.

• 

  Roger W.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 26, 2023

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  On beach - great in late February

  Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good 70 yr olds in 17’ trailer:

  We plan to return. Overall Rating: 4 Usage during visit: Moderate Site Privacy: Where we are, marker # 28, folks who come out for the day can and do park/ setup between the campsite and the beach. Further towards Port Aransas, barriers prevent vehicles parking such, but trailer is a bit further from surf. Site Spacing: Camping units about 200’ apart. . Apparently, much closer in peak season. Campground Noise 5 at night. 3 during the day. Note other folks on beach are enjoying their time in their own way during the day. Road Noise: 4 at night w an occasional vehicle driving by . 3 during day. Bathroom Cleanliness. 3 - chemical toilets. No TP .
  Cell Service (Verizon): 0 to 2 bars Setting: 5 surf sound all night Weather: 4 foggy at night and early AM. Windy at times. Low 70s are day time highs for us. Short pant weather. Solar: Great as soon as fog lifts. 3 nights and no need for generator. Host: Police presence Location: About 350’ from water, depending on tide . Nice.

• M

  Michael T.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 30, 2022

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Great camping location

  Beach camping at its best. You can camp for a maximum of the nights with a permit that costs $12.

• l

  leah

  Scout

  

  Jul. 20, 2022

  Magnolia Beach

  Beaten up

  This is a very beaten up part of a beach, but great for free camping! I would come here again for the camping part, not for a beautiful scenery(there's a factory right over the water on the other side which meant I did not want to swim in this), definitely not for the showers or restroom, but I would to sleep. The showers are absolutely horrendous. I told myself even if they were cold I'd use them, but these don't look to have been used in years and are DIRTY. Same as the bathroom, but those I'd have to use. It's beautiful to wake up to a beach no matter what and the best thing is that you don't need 4x4 to go here. It's hard shell beach, so there's no way you're getting stuck. Me and my friend used the outdoor shower made to wash off sand to rinse our bodies, but I wouldn't do a full wash in it. I also loved the fact that I could go to San Antonio and Houston then come back to the beach! I know it's about 2 hours away, but I definitely do not want to stay in a hot city. The best part about this place is if you keep your windows open at night a very nice breeze will keep you cool.

• M

  MARK T.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 7, 2022

  Magnolia Beach

  Wonderful

  Kind of an off the beaten place but a real gem for Boondocking.

• J

  John C.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2022

  Magnolia Beach

  Great location

  Plenty of space water is very calm not much noise especially at night definitely would go back Free 👍

• B

  Ben

  Guide

  

  Feb. 27, 2022

  North Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

  Great spot!

  Great Spot! Glad O stayed for a night.

• B

  Ben

  Guide

  

  Jan. 30, 2022

  Magnolia Beach

  Very busy on weekends

  Beautiful views, but the weekends get very busy. I stayed the full 2 weeks and loved my time there! Free bathrooms and showers if you are willing to brave the cold water. No warm water - But it’s free! Definitely glad I stayed.

• D

  Donald W.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 26, 2022

  Magnolia Beach

  Dry camp beach

  Great setting on the beach with water at your back door. Site is ground seashells (hardpacked) for a great road surface to drive on and park your rig. There are shower/ bath houses at the east end of the camping area. Did I mention that it is FREE?!

• R

  Rob N.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 15, 2021

  North Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

  Great free spot

  Easy to get to and plenty of room right on the beach. There is no sign but google maps will take you right to the turn off. Ignore the sign that says entering fee area. I confirmed with Ranger that its a free area. They just ask that you fill out the slip at kiosk so they can keep track of the 14 day rule.

• 

  Woodring’s On T.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 22, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  Awesome free camping

  We have been here 3 days and staying 2 more. Have showers and restrooms but we haven't used them. Nice quiet time on the water

• 

  Daniel B.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 8, 2021

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Beach Bummin!

  $12 a year to camp on a beautiful and clean beach any time I want? Yes please! Just spent the weekend on the beach at Access Road 1A. Wasn’t over crowded and the beach was well maintained. Wind and rain rocked us to sleep in the RV and woke up to a cool breeze with clear sunny skies. Setting up the Friday morning before hand gave us first pick at a spot closer to the water. We will be back as often as possible.

• K

  Kassy B.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 14, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  Free Beach Camping

  Amazing water front camping-and it’s free. The town has a store 2 min away for any last minute essentials. Definitely staying here again.

• 

  Doug W.

  Ranger

  

  Apr. 8, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  You can't get closer to the water without getting wet.

  Just chill. The place is clean, not much around and free. The beach is made up of shells, not sand, so some sort of protective shoes are needed. That aside, there is not much to do here except to relax. And that is just we wanted.

  When we stayed in early April there were plenty of other campers but at least I haven't been subjected to the sound of generators. It appears everyone is here for the same reason, chill.

  This is dry camping so bring everything you need. Any size rig will fit. Cell service is fair with 2 to 3 bars of Verizon 4g service.

• 

  Tucker B.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 6, 2021

  South Beach — Padre Island National Seashore

  Be Ready For Sand Everywhere!

  Such a silly thing to realize. It is the beach, after all!

  But my brain didn't compute that wind + sand = sand in tents, food, pants, etc!

  But, still, this spot was easily accessible for our first night in the park (even with the coastal flood warning!).

  There was no one in the visitor's center when we arrived just after 5pm. But they do sell ice there if you need to stock up before heading down the beach.

  There's also water, trash bins, and a bathroom at that location. Just make sure you stock up on firewood before coming into the park!

• 

  Lisa S.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 20, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  Authentic Charm & Free Camping

  Magnolia Beach is a mid-nineteenth century beach front community that offers authentic charm because it has not been gentrified. No high říše condos or pretentious sea side mansions, and no casinos or fancy resorts. There is a large inland estuary for birding and an elevated walk way with an observation deck leading into it. An interesting early history of the originál settlement Has been documented on about 20 plaques sited in the area of the estuary walkway.

  There are a number of options for where to park your rig, but all are waterfront and on the beach. The further down the beach side road you drive, the less congested sites become. There are dumpsters but that’s it.

• 

  James S.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 4, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  Chilled Out Getaway

  The other reviews were very promising, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere of peace and relaxation. I live in north Houston, and it took us about 3 hours to get there, on a Friday afternoon. Since we went in the wintertime, there weren’t that many people, but the people we met were very nice and welcoming. I highly recommend the burgers and breakfast tacos from the one stop shop up the road from the beach. Can’t wait to come back soon when the weather gets warmer!

• 

  Dennis

  Scout

  

  Mar. 2, 2021

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Beach camping at its finest.

  Was here for 2 days fantastic place ....alittle rainy and overcast but very windy. Very hard packed sand no trouble driving anywhere on it

• 

  Rocco

  Ranger

  

  Feb. 1, 2021

  Magnolia Beach

  Free beach

  Free beach camping. There’s plenty of other campers here. And seashells everywhere!! By day there’s a seeming ugly view of an oil refinery across the water... but by night that place lights up and there’s something more whimsical about it. This was fun for a one night stop along the way.

• 

  Rocco

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 24, 2021

  Port Aransas Permit Beach

  Dry camping on the beach

  Some areas are less populated than others. Multiple beach access points. Beautiful sunsets. Be sure to have the annual parking permit. Be ready to deal with fine sand in your rv and everything.