Camping in Corpus Christi

Note: Nueces County is current under a mandatory burn ban, campfires included. For more information, please check the Nueces County Facebook page. 

General gulf beach campfire rules: 

• Campfires allowed, but no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 3’ with no residue left
• Campfires must be fully extinguished and replace any sand in holes
• Camping is prohibited in front of condos and hotels
• Camping is allowed for 3 days & nights consecutively, but no more than 6 days within a month
• No pallets or building material allowed. Wood pallets and building material used in construction are often coated in toxic chemicals that are not meant to be burned in campfires. They also may contain hardware such as nails or screws which could become dangerous to others or wildlife.

Other camping sites:

Padre Island National Seashore: Small campfires are allowed to be built on beaches where camping is also allowed. Build your fire away from the dunes. Do not use wood containing nails. Extinguish your fire with water and do not bury with sand.

Mustang Island State Park: Campsites with electricity are separated from the ocean by sand dunes about 400 yards from the water. These sites do not have fire rings, so campfires at the campsites are forbidden. Campfire must be on the beach, only.   Small campfires are allowed at primitive campsites.

Padre Balli Park

• Public restrooms
• Pay-per-use showers

Padre Island National Seashore

• Restrooms
• Cold water showers

• Vault toilets available at the north and south ends with day use areas in between

Goose Island State Park

• Restrooms
• Showers

Mustang Island State Park

• Beach bathhouse with full restrooms near headquarters

• Restrooms with showers available nearby

Padre Island National Seashore:

• The stay limit to camp in the park is a maximun of 14 consecutive nights.
• When a camper reaches 14 nights, consecutive or intermittent, campers must completely remove themselves and their property from the park for a minimum of 14 nights before returning for another overnight visit.
• Campers may not stay for more than a total of 28 calendar nights per year in any combination of consecutive nights.

Mustang Island State Park: 

• 14 day limit

Gulf Beaches

• 3 days & nights consecutively, but no more than 6 days within a month

Mustang Island State Park:

• Campsites with electricity - $25/night plus daily entrance fee
• Primitive Campsites (drive-up) - $13/night plus daily entrance fee
• Reservations can be made

Goose Island State Park:

• Campsite with electricity - $20-25/night
• Campsite with water - $10/ night
• Reservations can be made

Padre Island National Seashore:

• Entrance passes are required to enter Padre Island National Seashore.
• A one-day pass is valid until 11:59pm on the date of purchase but cannot be used for overnight camping. 
• However, there is a 7-day pass (valid for 7 days from date of purchase) and an annual pass (valid for one year from the month of purchase) that are valid for camping overnight.
• No reservations. Sites available on first-come, first-served basis

Campers must have a beach permit, available at multiple locations. Learn more here. 

Yes, there are grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores just a short drive away from campsites. However, if you're camping on larger campgrounds, such as Padre Island National Seashore, keep in mind that the nearest amenities are about 13 miles away, and there is no food, firewood, or fishing licenses sold onsite, so be sure to plan ahead. The Malaquite Visitor Center, located on site, is open daily from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and sells bags of ice, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and other toiletries. Cellular service is very limited in the park. Make a plan to check in and out with a family member or friend before you arrive to the park.

• Most campgrounds allow pets but require them to be leashed and supervised at all times. 
• Leashes should not be any longer than 6 ft. 
• Pets are not allowed inside buildings at Texas State Parks.
• Clean up after pets and keep them away from protected dunes, nesting sites, and wildlife.

Expect to see coastal wildlife, such as coyotes, sea turtles, and various bird species. Be cautious of nesting areas, especially between April and July for endangered sea turtles. Also, watch out for jellyfish and stingrays when wading in the water. For your safety and the safety of our wildlife, do not feed them. 

Weather: Corpus Christi can experience sudden weather changes, including high winds and thunderstorms. Check the forecast frequently, and be aware of potential hurricane activity, especially from June to November.

Tides: Be cautious when camping on the beach. Tides can rise quickly, so set up your tent or RV above the high-tide line. Know the beach warning flags. Learn more about the flag colors and what they mean, here. 

Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards at  Padre Island National Seashore, Mustang Island State Park, or Goose Island State Park.

Driving: Padre Island National Seashore requires a 4-wheel drive to access the entire beach. See below:

• North Beach: generally open to 2-wheel drive, but 4-wheel drive is always recommended. 
• South Beach (Mile 0-5): generally open to 2-wheel drive, but 4-wheel drive is always recommended.
• South Beach (Mile 5-60): requires 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Yarborough Pass (near the 15 mile mark): requires 4-wheel drive vehicles. 

Fires: Keep fires small, away from vegetation, and fully extinguish them before leaving.

Food: Keep your food stored in airtight containers to avoid wildlife from taking and eating it.