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Dispersed Camping

Port Aransas Permit Beach

18 Reviews

Port Aransas Permit Beach, near Port Aransas, Texas, is a fantastic location for those looking to enjoy the beauty of beach camping. With miles of sandy shoreline designated for camping, it’s a prime spot for setting up your tent or RV right by the water.

This area allows for small campfires, making it perfect for cozy evenings under the stars. Visitors have raved about the stunning sunsets and the relaxing sound of the surf, with one camper noting, “The beach is beautiful, and the breeze is so nice we didn’t even run our generator during the day.” Just remember, you’ll need a beach camping permit to stay overnight, which is a small price to pay for such a great experience.

While the location can get a bit crowded during peak times, it quiets down in the afternoons, giving you a chance to unwind. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as coyotes roam the area, but they tend to keep their distance. With no hookups available, it’s a true boondocking experience, so come prepared. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or enjoy a bonfire at sunset, Port Aransas Permit Beach offers a laid-back atmosphere that keeps campers coming back for more.

Description

Municipal

In Port ‘A’, it’s all about fun in the sun and sand! The beaches of Mustang Island are fantastically unique. There are eighteen miles of uninterrupted public shoreline, open for street legal vehicles and all things beachy! The warm Gulf waters and soft Texas sand are the perfect backdrop for a day full of beach, recreational activities, and nights highlighted with moonlight strolls. Parking a car on the beach requires a $12 annual sticker that can be purchased at City Hall (710 W. Avenue A), our local grocery store Family Center IGA, from local convenience stores or from vendors located on the beach. The sticker allows the vehicle to park along the beach from the City Limit at Lantana Dr near Horace Cladwell Pier through Port Aransas Beach to the Kleberg County line (south of Bob Hall Pier) making it valid in Port Aransas and Corpus Christi. 58. An additional $40.00 permit is required for Port Aransas camping. Small campfires 3 ft. x 3ft. are allowed on the beach.

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Location

Port Aransas Permit Beach is located in Texas

Coordinates

27.82249015 N
97.05912228 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Stay Connected

WiFi
Available
Verizon
Fair
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Dispersed
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Showers
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

27 min from Corpus Christi
1 hr 27 min from Victoria
2 hrs 42 min from Brownsville
2 hrs 51 min from McAllen

mark F.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 6, 2025

Get a permit, 3 days beach side camping!

Wonderfully beach aside camping all along the beach road. Very busy during school holidays like spring break.

Sitenorth

Month of VisitMarch

(6) View All

mark F.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 30, 2025

Quiet other than spring break

Great on the beach camping. $12/yr. You have to move every 3 days. Got very busy during spring break weekend, otherwise quiet

SiteAA

Month of VisitMarch

Tiffany S.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 17, 2024

Beautiful spots on water just park

Great spot to pull up set a tent up or pull your own camper in. Just get a $12 parking permit at the stripes gas station and you're good to stay over night!

Month of VisitDecember

Angela R.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2024

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.

SiteMile Marker 25

Month of VisitAugust

(15) View All

Angela R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2024

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.

SiteMM27

Month of VisitJune

(11) View All

Star J.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 5, 2023

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

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2023

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.

SiteNo site number

Month of VisitMay

(7) View All

Roger W.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 26, 2023

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.

SiteMarker # 28 near beach access rd #1

Month of VisitFebruary

Michael T.

Traveler

Reviewed Dec. 30, 2022

Great camping location

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

Siteon beach

Month of VisitDecember

Daniel B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

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.

SiteAccess Rd 1A

Month of VisitAugust

Dennis

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 2, 2021

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

Reviewed Jan. 24, 2021

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.

(5) View All

Donell

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 23, 2021

Boondocking on the beach

$12 you can buy a yearly Beach Parking pass and can boondock on the beach for up to three days. These beaches are incredible and the City is constantly making it look nice. You can drive and camp on the beach. Our favorite part was having a bonfire on the beach at sunset.

Tim W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2020

Where the great state meets the sea

Beautiful beaches, some of the clearest water you will find in Texas. Head towards the state park for quieter crowds. Swim at your own risk! State park down the road offers tables, grills, water hook ups, showers and restrooms. Trash cans are available along the beach.

(4) View All

Karen S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2019

RV Camping

Loved the community

Month of VisitJune

Doug D.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 9, 2019

Great Beach community

This is right on the beach with hard packed sand. Hard enough to hold large RV's. A beach parking permit is needed and can be picked up at the local Stripes gas station. Currently the permit is $12 for a year. However, parking in the same spot for a few days are allowed then you need to move. There are miles of beach to move to. Only Port a pots in the parking areas, no other facilities.

Month of VisitFebruary

Oscar E.

Traveler

Reviewed Nov. 20, 2018

Sad

Beach camping and the state park is still closed. Unknown when it may reopen. Still lots of devastation from Harvey. Although on the road to recovery.

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2017

Beautiful area

Port Aransas Beach On Rt 361 Texas near Corpus Christi. This entire area is awesome and windy :)

Worth the drive and you can easily spend a week here and not visit all of the areas.

Month of VisitSeptember

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.