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If you’ve been looking for RV campsites that put you right on the sand, the Texas Gulf Coast may have more options than you thought. From the dunes of Galveston to the bays of South Padre, there are sites where you can wake up and step out of your RV onto the beach (or just steps away from the beach).
The catch: many of these spots fill up fast, have special rules and access constraints, and may require a little due diligence to make sure your camper will fit. That’s where things get tricky.
This article walks you through the best beachfront and near-beach RV parks along the coast, arranged from north to south, so you can compare, decide, and book the perfect spot.
1. Sea Rim State Park
Location: Sabine Pass, near Port Arthur
Link: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/sea-rim
Tucked into the quiet marshlands east of Port Arthur, Sea Rim State Park is one of the most unique waterfront camping spots on the Texas Gulf Coast. RV campers can choose from 15 developed sites with water and 50-amp hookups, each sitting just behind the dunes with a short walk to the Gulf. The park also has 75 primitive drive-up beach camping sites when tide and weather conditions permit. These are non-reservable and are only $10/night.
Amenities include restrooms, showers, and a boardwalk leading through the coastal wetlands. Kayakers often launch from the park’s canoe trail system, and anglers head straight for the surf. The area is remote, and cell service can be weak, which adds to the sense of isolation that regulars say makes Sea Rim special. Just check the tide reports before heading onto the sand, as soft areas can be challenging for heavy vehicles.
2. Camp Margaritaville Resort Crystal Beach
Location: Bolivar Peninsula, Crystal Beach
Link: https://www.margaritavilleresorts.com/camp-margaritaville-rv-resort-crystal-beach-tx
Camp Margaritaville sits on 150 acres of beachfront property along the Bolivar Peninsula, giving guests direct access to the Gulf and a resort-style experience. The park features more than 240 full-hookup RV sites with concrete pads, 20/30/50-amp power, picnic tables, and Wi-Fi. Big-rig access is smooth throughout, with wide roads and pull-through options.
Beyond the camping, the property feels more like a coastal resort than an RV park. You’ll find a large pool with a swim-up bar, on-site restaurants, live music on weekends, and golf cart rentals to cruise the beach. The vibe leans toward social and upbeat, but the oceanfront views and sea breeze are what make it stand out.
3. Dellanera RV Park
Location: Galveston Island
Link: https://www.galvestontx.gov/1329/Dellanera-RV-Park
Owned and operated by the City of Galveston, Dellanera RV Park offers one of the few true beachfront RV stays on the island. Each of its 65 full-hookup sites sits just steps from the sand, connected by dune walkovers to a private stretch of beach maintained by the park.
Sites come with water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp electric service, plus picnic tables and grills. The park includes restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, along with an observation deck overlooking the Gulf. It’s a simple setup, but the location is unbeatable for anyone who wants direct access to the ocean without leaving the island.
4. Galveston Island State Park (Beachside Campground)
Location: West Galveston Island
Link: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island
The beachside campground at Galveston Island State Park sits right behind the dunes with easy access to the Gulf via raised boardwalks. Each site includes water and electric hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Campers appreciate the clean facilities and organized layout, plus the chance to watch pelicans and shorebirds from their site.
The park offers nature trails, kayak launches, and a bay-side campground across the road for those who prefer calmer waters. Because it’s one of the most popular state parks on the coast, reservations often sell out months in advance during spring and summer.
5. Sandpiper RV Resort
Location: East End, Galveston
Link: https://sandpiperrvresort.com/
Located near Stewart Beach, Sandpiper RV Resort combines convenience with coastal views. This smaller, landscaped park offers 40+ paved, full-hookup sites, including big-rig accommodations, and several spots have direct Gulf views.
Amenities include a pool, fitness room, Wi-Fi, and a clubhouse with common areas for guests. It’s an easy walk to the beach and just a short drive to Galveston’s downtown attractions, making it a comfortable base for longer stays. The clean facilities and calm setting make it especially popular with snowbirds looking for something quieter than the larger resorts.
6. Beachfront RV Resort
Location: Surfside Beach
Link: https://www.beachfrontrvresort.com/
True to its name, Beachfront RV Resort gives you front-row access to the Gulf of Mexico. Many sites face the water, separated only by a small dune. The park provides full hookups with 20/30/50-amp power, concrete pads, picnic tables, and a mix of pull-through and back-in spots.
Guests enjoy a beachfront bar and grill, a small pool, and organized events during the warmer months. The area is compact and social, with a short walk to Surfside’s beach shops and casual restaurants. It’s one of the best spots on the upper coast for direct ocean views without the crowds.
7. Blue Water RV Resort
Location: Freeport area, between Surfside Beach and Galveston
Link: https://bluewaterrvpark.com/
Blue Water RV Resort sits on a narrow peninsula with the Gulf on one side and the bay on the other, giving nearly every site a water view. The park features large, full-hookup sites with 30/50-amp service, concrete pads, and optional palapas for shade.
There’s a pool, clubhouse, kayak launch, and fishing pier on-site, along with golf cart rentals for beach cruising. The property’s layout is clean and open, and the beach access is just a short walk or quick ride across the road.
8. Quintana Beach County Park
Location: Quintana, across from Surfside Beach
Link: https://www.brazoriacountytx.gov/departments/parks-department/quintana-beach
This county-run park offers direct beach access and well-maintained amenities. Each paved RV site includes water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric service, plus a picnic table and fire ring. Pull-through and back-in options are available, and the grounds are known for being clean and family-friendly.
A wooden boardwalk leads straight to the sand, and there’s a playground, restroom facilities, and day-use pavilion nearby. It’s quieter than many of the private resorts, but still close to Freeport for groceries or dining.
9. Matagorda Bay Nature Park
Location: Matagorda, at the mouth of the Colorado River
Link: https://lcraparks.com/parks/matagorda-bay-nature-park
Operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority, this waterfront park offers both bay and beach access. RV campers can choose from 54 full-hookup sites, many with views of the river or Gulf. Each pad includes a picnic table, grill, and fire ring.
The park also features a visitor center, kayak rentals, mini golf, and a playground. A long boardwalk connects the campground to the beach, making it easy to enjoy both the surf and calmer bay waters. It’s one of the best-balanced spots for fishing, birding, and family camping.
10. Matagorda County Beaches (Drive-Up Camping)
Location: Matagorda Peninsula
Link: https://matagordabeach.org/
For campers who like the sound of waves right outside their door, Matagorda County allows drive-up beach camping for up to 72 hours. You can park directly on the sand in designated sections, but conditions vary with tides and weather.
There are no hookups or amenities here, so it’s best suited for self-contained RVs. Still, the experience of camping right on an open Gulf beach is hard to match. Bring traction boards or a tow strap if you plan to venture off the packed sand.
11. I.B. Magee Beach Park
Location: Port Aransas, north end of Mustang Island
Link: https://www.nuecesbeachparks.com/i-b-magee-beach-park
Set along the jetties at the north tip of Mustang Island, I.B. Magee Beach Park offers direct access to the Gulf and easy walks to Horace Caldwell Pier. The park provides full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and 20/30/50-amp service on paved pads. There’s also Wi-Fi, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities on site.
The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, with anglers heading to the pier at sunrise and beachgoers walking straight from their sites to the sand. Restaurants and shops in downtown Port Aransas are minutes away, making it convenient for extended stays without feeling crowded.
12. Padre Balli Park
Location: North Padre Island, near Bob Hall Pier
Link: https://www.nuecesbeachparks.com/padre-balli-park
Padre Balli Park sits just behind the dunes, with paved water-and-electric RV sites and quick access to the beach via a short boardwalk. Each site includes 30-amp power, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, showers, and a dump station. The layout is open and breezy, giving most campers a partial Gulf view.
The nearby Bob Hall Pier area draws surf anglers, while the long, flat beaches invite morning walks and shell hunting. It’s a simple place to camp by the ocean without leaving the comforts of an established park.
13. Mustang Island State Park
Location: Mustang Island, between Port Aransas and Padre Island
Link: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mustang-island
Mustang Island State Park offers two types of coastal camping: developed sites behind the dunes and designated primitive beach camping directly on the sand. The 48 improved sites have water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms with showers.
The park’s beach camping section is open when conditions allow, giving self-contained campers a true Gulf-front experience. Visitors can fish from the shore, kayak along the Mustang Island Paddling Trail, or simply enjoy the quiet, natural stretch of sand that separates this park from more commercial areas.
14. Padre Island National Seashore
Location: North Padre Island, Corpus Christi area
Link: https://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm
Padre Island National Seashore is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, offering more than 60 miles of primitive beach camping. The Malaquite Campground, located in the dunes, provides restrooms and cold-water showers but no hookups. North Beach and South Beach are open to drive-up camping for both tents and RVs, depending on tides and sand conditions. There is a dump station available at the main entrance.
The experience here is remote and quiet, with sea breezes, open horizons, and abundant wildlife. Campers should bring all necessities and check tide reports before arrival, as the soft sand can make access tricky for heavier vehicles.
15. Isla Blanca Park
Location: South Padre Island, south tip
Link: https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/parks-coastal-parks/parks-isla-blanca/
Located at the southern tip of South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park is one of the largest and most visited coastal RV destinations in Texas. It offers full-hookup sites with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric service, plus beach access, restrooms, showers, and a fishing jetty.
The park’s layout provides both beachfront and interior sites, and its location near the island’s restaurants and attractions makes it a favorite among snowbirds and long-term travelers. Cameron County is currently upgrading the RV section, so check ahead for site availability if visiting during renovation periods.
Tips for planning your trip
- Book early during spring and summer. State and county parks along the coast fill fast, and some allow reservations months in advance.
- Watch tides, wind, and surf advisories. Primitive beach areas can close with high water or after storms, and soft sand can stop heavy setups.
- Measure your setup against site specs. Some parks have pad length limits, gate hours, and vehicle count rules that are enforced.
- Bring what you need for sand camping. Traction boards, a shovel, etc., may be required if you plan to camp right on the beach.
- Check current notices before you go. Construction, dune restoration, or beach driving restrictions can change access, especially at PINS and county beaches.
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