Mustang Island State Park RV & Campground Guide
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If you dream of a beach getaway, head to Mustang Island State Park near Corpus Christi, TX where you can fish, swim, build sandcastles, or work on your tan. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the land where wild mustangs roamed in the 19th century in 1972 and opened the park in 1979. Part of the park consists of a fragile barrier-island ecosystem, and special rules apply when visiting this area. Nearby, visitors can explore the Texas State Aquarium, the Art Museum of South Texas, and Padre Island National Seashore.
Nearby cities:
Corpus Christi, TX
Port Aransas, TX
Aransas Pass, TX
Beeville, TX
Spring 65-85 F
Summer 80-92 F
Fall 60-90 F
Winter 50-68 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Mustang Island State Park
Campground Accommodations
Mustang Island State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 65 feet
Other amenities: Outdoor showers, restroom
Mustang Island State Park Campground
Camp right on the sand at Mustang Island State Park Campground. Here, you’re always a short walk from the beach where you can enjoy early morning strolls or end the day with a campfire under the stars. The RV-friendly part of the campground offers 48 sites, each with water and 50-amp electric hookups. All of the sites come with a picnic table, grill, and a shade shelter. Sewer hookups aren’t available, but the on-site restrooms and showers keep you comfortable. Nightly rates start at $20 per night; you’ll also need to pay a daily park entrance fee.
On the Beach RV Park
Sleep within a stone’s throw of the sand at On the Beach RV Park. With its green, grassy spots and perfect waterfront location, this is a great spot for round-the-clock beach fun. It’s designed for comfort; every site includes Wi-Fi, full hookups, and cable TV. The shower house makes it easy to keep sand out of your RV, and the on-site laundry is a lifesaver after a long day in the saltwater. Rates start at $53 per night in the low season and run as high as $105 in the high season.
Laguna Shore Village RV Park
If you’re searching for a quiet place to camp, check out Laguna Shore Village RV Park. With its peaceful sites, this is a popular option for couples and retirees. Located next to Laguna Madre, this park offers cooling breezes and lovely views of the North Padre Islands. All of the sites here offer free Wi-Fi and cable as well as full hookups. Within a quick walk of your RV, you’ll find a coin laundry, rec room, and hot showers. Keep in mind that all sites are back-in; however, the staff will help you park, so feel free to bring your big rig. Rates start at $40 per night and $240 per week.
What to Do at
Mustang Island State Park
Experience the ultimate beachside camping adventure at Mustang Island State Park, with its beautiful sandy beach just 0.3 miles from your campsite. Take on the park's paddling trail, or cast a line in Corpus Christi Bay, the perfect place for anglers.
Inside Mustang Island State Park
The 5-mile beach is the central attraction at Mustang Island State Park. Play beach volleyball, swim in the waves, or just relax in the sunshine with a good book. After dark, campfires light up the sand as campers enjoy unparalleled stargazing over the Gulf of Mexico. Explore the calmer waters on the opposite side of the island by kayak or canoe; the 20-mile Mustang Island Paddling Trail takes you past hidden coves and silent inlets. Fishing and geocaching are also popular activities in the park, and the local bird-watching is some of the best in Texas.
Fishing
One of the best places to go shore fishing at Mustang Island State Park is Fish Pass Jetty, but you must watch your step to fish in this area. Anglers often catch black drum, sand trout, speckled trout, sheepshead, redfish, flounder, jack crevalle, snook, and mangrove snapper. Try fishing with live shrimp under a float. Since you are in the park, you will not need a fishing license.
Geocaching
There is a geocache on the deck of the bathhouse. The box contains small plastic ponies. Use it to remind yourself of the wild mustangs that used to call this island home.
Nature Watching
When visiting Mustang Island State Park, you might see opossums, raccoons, coyotes, and white-tailed deer, but you are more likely to see small rodents, like pocket gophers, spotted ground squirrels, grasshopper mice, rice rats, and cotton rats. Over 600 species of fish live in the bay. You will likely see many birds, especially during spring and fall migration. One species you might notice is the Aplomado falcon, which naturalists thought was extinct in Texas before state officials released 65 breeding pairs at the park in 2012 and 2013 to restart the population.
Stargazing
The Corpus Christi Astronomical Society regularly hosts stargazing events at Mustang Island State Park. During these events, they bring telescopes for guests to gaze through. Each gathering has a unique theme, making them terrific opportunities to learn about a specific astronomical topic.
Flora and Fauna
Mustang Island State Park has a fragile coastal dune, and you should not walk on it because it is vital to protect homes and other structures during hurricanes. On top of the dune, you can see cenicilla, beach morning glory, and railroad vines that help to stabilize the dune by trapping the sand when it tries to blow away. You will see seacoast bluestem, Gulf cordgrass, and Gulfdune paspalum on its backside. You will likely see salt marsh cordgrass and black mangroves on the flats.
Boating
There are three paddling trails at Mustang Island State Park. The Ashum Trail follows the shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay over a firm sand bottom. This 6.8-mile-long trail can be a terrific option for birdwatching. The North Trail runs through the East Flats until it reaches Port Aransas. The Shamrock Loop Trail circles Shamrock Cove, and paddlers can use it to connect to the North Trail.
Swimming
The water near the beach area at Mustang Island State Park is a fantastic place to swim. Officials test the water at least twice weekly to ensure it is safe to swim in, but there are no lifeguards on duty.
How to Get to
Mustang Island State Park
It's easy to get to Mustang Island State Park from Corpus Christi, Texas, by getting on Texas 358. Follow the road to Padre Island and drive across the JFK Causeway. After exiting the causeway, go straight ahead for one mile and turn left on Texas 361. Continue following this road for about five miles, and you will see the park.
By Car
Entering Mustang Island State Park
You can park vehicles of all sizes near the park's headquarters, where you will enter the park. People over 13 must pay $5 to enter the park, while those under 13 are free.
You can find a place to do all your favorite beach activities at Mustang Island State Park. Anglers love fishing, children love building sandcastles, and teens love working on their tans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mustang Island State Park
Spring is the perfect time to visit Mustang Island State Park. You will see more birds than at other times of the year, and the beach will be less crowded, giving you more room to do your favorite beach activities.
At Mustang Island State Park, you may see opossums, raccoons, coyotes and white-tailed deer, pocket gophers, spotted ground squirrels, grasshopper mice, rice rats, and cotton rats. Over 600 fish species live in the water, and you will see many species of waterfowl.
There are two types of designated RV camping spots at Mustang Island State Park. There are 48 campsites about 400 yards from the water with electrical hookups, and 50 primitive camp spots spread along a 1.5-mile-long beach.
Reservations are highly recommended for the sites with electricity at Mustang Island State Park, especially in the summertime. You cannot reserve the primitive campsites. Camping costs $10 or $20, depending on your preferred services.
Pets are allowed at Mustang Island State Park but cannot be on the swim beach. Owners can play with them on five miles of beach. There is a dog park in the campground.