Galveston Island State Park, Galveston Island, Texas

Visiting Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park is a great place to enjoy the beach, the gulf, and the bay. Many people the boardwalk leading from the parking lot to the Gulf Beach that visit the park come to spend time on the beach and to camp. While it is obvious to any visitor that the park's 2000 acres are bordered on the east and the west by more developed lands, fewer folks realize that the park is an oasis of undeveloped barrier island habitats. These natural areas are important for conservation and attract a wide variety of bird species, especially during the spring and fall bird migrations. Whether you come to the park to fish, swim, lie in the sun, picnic, birdwatch, or camp you can unwind and enjoy the relaxing surroundings that are found along the Gulf and Galveston Bay shorelines of Galveston Island.

Galveston Island State Park entrance gate

Entering Galveston Island State Park

The park entry station is staffed from 8 A.M until 10 P.M. The park office is located just beyond the entry booth and it closes at 5 P.M. There is a $5 per person entry fee, payable at the gatehouse, to get into the park. Children 12 and under get in for free.

The park offers free wireless internet access.

Galveston Island State Park
Activities/Recreation

Camping

There are over 100 campsites and 10 screened shelters for rent in Galveston Island State Park. Fees range from $20 - $35 per night plus a $3 per-person park entry fee (children 12 and under are free). To find out more, check out the camping page.

Swimming

The majority of visitors to the park come to enjoy the beach. Paying your entry fee provides you access to a nice gulf beach, picnic facilities, bathrooms, and showers. Like many of Galveston Island's beaches, the park can get busy during summer weekends and holidays so be prepared for a crowd if you visit during those times.

Picnicking

The park has an interesting design theme for its shade and picnic shelters (you can click on the picture for a larger view). Regardless of the funky design, it is nice to have access to some shade and picnic tables. Picnic tables are found between the beach and the parking lot and there are a few scattered along the bay side park road.

Fishing

You can fish from the beach or bay shore, surf fish in the Gulf, or wade into and fish from Galveston Bay. A fish cleaning station is available at the end of the bayside road (the branch that passes by the bayside camping area). You should be aware of and follow all pertinent Texas fishing regulations.

Kayaking

There is a kayak launch area on Galveston Bay. It is located off of the bay road before you reach the bayside camping area.

Hiking

A number of trails wind through the bayside salt marsh and prairie. These habitats dominate the parkland north of the highway.

Bird Watching

The park attracts many birds - and many birdwatchers. The birds visit in part because there is good, and now relatively rare, natural barrier island habitat. Birds also stop over during spring and fall migrations that lead them over the Gulf of Mexico.

This website is not affiliated with the State of Texas or Galveston Island State Park. If you have any questions about the park, you should contact park management.