Best Tent Camping near Sarita, TX

Tent camping options near Sarita, Texas include several sites along the Gulf Coast, with Yarborough Pass at Padre Island National Seashore offering primitive beach camping accessible by 4x4 vehicles. This remote area provides bayfront camping with no facilities, making it ideal for self-sufficient tent campers seeking coastal solitude. Other options include John J. Sablatura Park and Labonte Park in nearby Corpus Christi, though these areas have limited amenities specifically for tent campers.

Access to Yarborough Pass requires careful planning and appropriate vehicles. The sand road turning inland from the beach can be challenging to navigate, especially during coastal flood warnings or after heavy rain. The drive to the camping area takes approximately 1.5 hours from the main park entrance, with the first portion of the inland road featuring soft sand conditions. A camper noted that "it took us about 1.5 hours to get to the road turning inland, and the first 30ish yards was pretty soft sand, but the road was hand-packed and dry the rest of the way." Tent campers must bring all supplies, including water, food, and waste disposal equipment, as the area has no facilities.

The tent camping experience at Yarborough Pass offers remarkable solitude and direct access to coastal fishing and paddling opportunities. Sites along the bulkhead provide some protection from the elements, though the area experiences consistent wind. According to reviews from The Dyrt, campers often use their vehicles as windbreaks since the bayfront location can be particularly windy, though there is "less blowing sand than on the ocean side." Some camping spots include existing shade structures, which provide welcome relief from the Texas sun. Weekend visitors report having entire sections of the camping area to themselves, with primarily day visitors passing through. The primitive nature of these tent camping areas requires preparation for self-contained stays but rewards campers with exceptional coastal access and privacy.

Best Tent Sites Near Sarita, Texas (3)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Sarita, TX

1 Photos of 3 Sarita Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Sarita, TX

94 Reviews of 3 Sarita Campgrounds


  • H
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Malaquite Campground - Padre Island National Seashore

    National Seashore beach camping

    Camp on a little strip of land right on the gulf. White sand, gentle waves,wildlife, sunrises, not too crowded. Primitive tent camping close to the water. Very basic but clean facilities. Sites are very close but the views make it worthwhile, though there are some other camping options in this park. Feels almost like parts of Florida. Worth shaking sand out of your sleeping bag for months...

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 6, 2021

    Malaquite Campground — Padre Island National Seashore

    Seashells, Sea Birds, & Sunsets

    This is one of two established campgrounds on Padre Island, and definitely the more desirable one. After camping on the sand in the dispersed area along the coast, for over a week, a gale force warning inspired us to move into this paved campground, which offered a bit more protection. 

    It’s not much more than a glorified parking lot, but it has direct beach access to the north end of the national seashore and some amenities. Some sites have grills, others don’t. All seemed to have picnic tables. Showers (only cold water) and bathrooms are relatively clean, but a little outdated. There are just 3 tent sites on the far north end and they are some of the nicest spots!

    Glorious views of the ocean, lovely sunsets over the dunes, and some of the most amazing shells and sea creatures regularly wash up on the beach. Birds galore, too!  We spent a lot of time on beaches and near the ocean and have never seen this type of diversity.

    On the downside, there is also a lot of storm surge trash, so bring a few bags and do your part to help clean up YOUR park.

    There are no electrical hook-ups, so come prepared with your solar panel. There is ice available at the Visitor’s Center and water at the campground, but groceries/gas is about 10-12 miles away, so come prepared to chill the heck out at this beachside campground.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2020

    Mustang Island State Park Campground

    Clean beach front camping

    The state park offers two styles of camp sites. Primitive and ones with a little more pizzazz.

    Primitive sights are right on the beach. Water is located along the beach and restrooms and rinse off showers are 50 yards away from the sites more towards the main headquarters. Full restrooms are closer to headquarters

    Sites with power; Picnic tables Grills Water 50amp hookup Shade shelter Bathroom and showers closer by.

    The sites with power are behind the sand dunes. Fires unless in the grill are NOT allowed. For a campfire, go down on the beach.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Malaquite Campground — Padre Island National Seashore

    Beach on a budget

    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 variety of camping and recreation options.

    Amongst those, Malaquite Beach Campground, a small but nice facility less than a quarter mile up the beach from the visitors center. This campground boasts around 50 campsites, many featuring a picnic table, BBQ and shade structure.

    No reservations can be made so the facility is a first come first come Campground which uses a camping kiosk or account for availability. Campsites are $8 per night and do include handicap options.

    While the individual sites do not offer amenities such as running water or electricity, there is a nice bathroom and shower facility located mid-camp. These showers are free and boast cold water showers, something you will more than crave in the humid Texas air.

    Campsites are located amongst the grassy dunes about 200 yards from the coastal waters but upon paying you can park in your designated site and set up your tent anywhere within the area including beachside.

    We arrived late in the evening just before sunset. Following sunset Campground is very dark, no security lights to disrupt the coastal star views so it can be a bit tricky to navigate. Do not forget a flashlight if you are camping here for sure!

    The humidity of the coast was intense so it made for a bit of a hot evening camping though the breeze passing through the tent was very helpful. Make sure your have a fully venting tent when camping here to keep cooler at night and pack lightweight items for sleeping.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰⚪️

    All in all I would give Malaquite Campground 4 of 5 Bunnies. The facilities were clean, Campground host was helpful and location was ideal for beach combing away from some of the crowds. I do suggest this to be a weekday excursion however as they did mention because of the low cost it does fill up quickly on weekends.

    The only downside, lighting is sparse at night which makes it a bit difficult to navigate the grounds. Again for safety remember to bring a flashlight! And this campsite is very windy, nothing you can do about this though because it is nature, but that can make for difficulty in setting up or using bbqs.

    For a video of the campsite and a little more about Malaquite Beach check out this video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFW9mi4iE2Y&t=8s

  • 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.

  • Mimi B.
    Dec. 1, 2021

    NAS RV Park Corpus Christi

    Nice Mil CG just prepare for stay

    This is our 2nd time staying here.
    This park is aka Shields. Park has 2 sections. Sect A has grass sites. Sect B has concrete pads and a separate area for tents. Each section has a laundry room and shower building. We stayed in B. Sites are wide and level and have full hookups with 30/50 amp. Good water pressure. Sites are all back ins, Big rig friendly and easy to set up. No matter where you park there is a nice view of the Bay.
    I'd give it a 5 star rating but there are a few items that need to be fixed or prepared for. 1st the roads really need to be repaired. 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 of the night. Ouch!! LOL If you have dogs (we do) they absolutely can't run in the grass. We bought our pups doggy boots which help some. And this time we brought our leaf blower to blow them off the concrete pad. 4th the winds here can reach 60 mph. Just prepare for it by never leaving awnings out and when bad bring slides in so awning toppers don't get ripped off. (It happened to our neighbors last year) Ants, there are tons of them. I use citronella spray around our leveling gear and tires to deter them from living with us. Lastly 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.
    Even with those items we really like it here. You can't beat the location to Padre Island and Port Aransas. The sunsets are amazing and walking the private beach daily is never tiring.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2022

    Malaquite Campground - Padre Island National Seashore

    Dry camping

    This is a national park. $25 to enter or free with the America the Beautiful pass. The campground is $14/day or $7 with the park pass. What I didn't know before I got here is that there's free camping right on the beach just after the visitor center. 14 day max stay.

  • Heather E.
    Jun. 8, 2022

    Mustang Island State Park Campground

    Favorite Texas beach to camp

    Waking up to the ocean is a dream come true at Mustang island. The park has 4 designated areas. Close to the entrance and facilities there’s a camp ground with water and electric hookups those are reserve only so make sure if you want that you reserve in advance. Primitive camping is a bit down the way to the right this is where primitive campers can find a nice spot if the day users are crowding the area. There’s portal potties, picnic tables and trash bins day uses tend to navigate to the primitive camping area and take up the picnic tables. Then there’s day use that’s straight ahead from the entrance there’s a big portal potty at the parking lot and a path to the beach. Then there is fisherman pass this is a drive on beach with a few pavilions and tables and the jetty. The park is cleaned every morning and midday by the park staff and park rangers. The staff really does put in a lot of work to keep the beaches and facilities clean. Its $5 per head and $10 for primitive camping and $20 for the hook up campsites. The park usually keeps the beaches at a decent occupancy putting up signs when it’s getting full and won’t let you in. After 6 the non paying people start to flood in at the primitive side during the summer. Make sure to bring lots of sun block and baby powder.

  • Sara S.
    Jun. 12, 2016

    Malaquite Campground — Padre Island National Seashore

    on the water

    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 busy when we visited. They did allow tents to set up in the designated site or more near the beach which was great. The camping area is right near the dunes. For the low price of a site we were more than pleased with the facilities cleanliness. Not very primitive or private, but near the water is a BIG draw!


Guide to Sarita

Tent camping near Sarita, Texas centers around coastal access points along the Gulf Coast with primitive camping opportunities. The flat coastal terrain experiences consistent winds and high temperatures during summer months, with fall and spring offering more moderate conditions for camping. The area receives approximately 30 inches of rainfall annually, making ground conditions variable for camping depending on recent weather.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Yarborough Pass provides access to excellent coastal fishing for tent campers willing to make the journey. The bayfront location offers fishing without the need for additional transportation once camp is established. A visitor noted the area is perfect for "coastal fishing and paddling" with direct access from camping sites.

Wildlife observation: The coastal areas near Sarita contain diverse bird species and marine wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites along the bulkhead at Yarborough Pass offer strategic points for spotting coastal birds and marine life during early morning or evening hours when wildlife activity increases.

Beach exploration: The remote shoreline sections provide opportunities for shell collecting and beachcombing away from developed areas. Access requires proper vehicles but rewards campers with isolated stretches of coastline rarely seen by day visitors. The less populated areas beyond common access points contain more intact shell specimens and natural beach formations.

What campers like

Privacy and solitude: Tent campers at Yarborough Pass appreciate the remarkable isolation compared to other coastal camping areas. One camper reported, "We were the only ones at those four spots all weekend" and mostly "just saw day visitors" passing through, indicating the area remains uncrowded even during peak times.

Existing structures: Some tent camping locations include prebuilt shade structures that provide relief from direct sun. These structures serve as valuable shelters in an otherwise exposed environment where natural shade is limited. Campers report finding spots that "had four shade structures already there" which can significantly improve comfort during daytime hours.

Less sand issues: While coastal camping typically means dealing with blowing sand, the bayfront location at Yarborough Pass provides some protection. Campers report "less blowing sand than on the ocean side" making tent maintenance and general comfort more manageable compared to beach-facing sites.

What you should know

Access challenges: Reaching suitable tent camping areas requires appropriate vehicles and preparation. The inland road at John J. Sablatura Park can become difficult after rain events, with soft sand sections requiring 4x4 capabilities. Weather forecasts should be checked before departure as coastal flood warnings can significantly impact access routes.

Wind exposure: The coastal camping areas experience consistent wind that affects tent stability and overall comfort. Proper tent staking and positioning is essential, and many campers use their vehicles as windbreaks to create protected areas for cooking and gathering.

Complete self-sufficiency: No facilities exist at the remote camping areas, requiring campers to bring all necessities including water, food, waste disposal systems, and emergency supplies. Cell service is inconsistent, so communication devices cannot be relied upon for safety.

Tips for camping with families

Timing considerations: Family camping trips are most comfortable during spring and fall months when temperatures moderate. Summer heat can be intense for younger children, while winter brings unpredictable cold fronts that can quickly change conditions at exposed coastal sites.

Site selection: Families should seek camping spots with existing windbreaks or natural features that provide some protection from elements. Locations that offer short walking distances to both bay and ocean sides provide more activity options for children of different ages.

Emergency planning: When camping at Labonte Park with families, establish clear evacuation plans before arrival. The remote locations and potentially difficult access routes require additional safety considerations when children are present, including having sufficient water reserves and first aid supplies.

Tips from RVers

Vehicle requirements: Access to tent camping areas near Sarita demands appropriate vehicles, typically 4x4 with adequate clearance. Standard passenger vehicles cannot safely navigate the soft sand sections, particularly after rain or during high tide events.

Fuel planning: The remote location requires careful fuel management as no services exist in the camping areas. Vehicles should arrive with full tanks and campers should calculate consumption for both the journey in and out, plus any emergency reserves needed.

Tire pressure adjustments: For accessing the soft sand sections, reducing tire pressure improves traction significantly. Carrying a reliable tire inflation system for reinflating before returning to paved roads is essential for safe travel to and from the camping areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sarita, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sarita, TX is Yarborough Pass — Padre Island National Seashore with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sarita, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Sarita, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.