The "Big Tree" is the largest
live oak in Texas and is estimated
to be over 1000 years old.

Goose Island State Park

202 S Palmetto St.
Rockport, TX 78382-7965
361/729-2858
Park locator map

History: Goose Island State Park, 321.4 acres, surrounded by the St. Charles and Aransas Bays, is located north of Rockport in Aransas County. The park was acquired in 1931-1935 by deeds from private owners and Legislative Act setting aside the state-owned Goose Island as a state park. The earliest park facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s.

The "Big Tree" named State Champion Coastal Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) in 1969, is thought to be one of the largest in the nation. Estimated to be over 1000 years old, the "Big Tree" has a circumference of 35 feet, is 44 feet in height and has a crown spread of 90 feet.

Activities: Although located on Aransas Bay, there is no swimming area at this park. The shoreline is comprised of concrete bulkhead, oyster shell, mud flat, and marsh grass. The main recreational activities are camping, excellent birding, and fishing (the park participates in the "Loan A Tackle Program" and lends out fishing tackle to visitors.) Other activities include picnicking, boating (motors allowed), nature study, wildlife observation, and photography. Tours: Guided nature hikes are held year round. Guided birding tours are held from January through April.

Interpretive Programs: Held every week. Private programs are available on request. Call the park for more information.

Area Attractions: Located directly across St. Charles Bay from the park are the wintering grounds for rare and endangered whooping cranes in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Also nearby are the Copano Bay Fishing Pier, Mustang Island State Park, Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, Texas Maritime Museum and the Texas State Aquarium in the City of Corpus Christi. For more information on the area visit the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Campsites & Other Facilities: Facilities include shade shelter campsites ("open cabanas") with water and electricity, located on the island near the bay; campsites with water and electricity in a heavily, tree-shaded area; campsites with water in the shady area; a group area; picnic sites (some with shade shelters); restrooms with and without showers; a snack bar within two miles; a fish-cleaning shade shelter; a double-lane boat ramp; a 1620-foot, lighted fishing pier with 2 fish-cleaning tables; a group recreation hall with tables and chairs (no kitchen - capacity 50); playground areas; and a Texas State Park Store.

Fees
Map of Park (PDF 116.5 KB)

Check Availability/Make Reservations for Goose Island S.P.
You can also make E-mail Reservations, Fax Reservations or Phone Reservations.

Natural Features: Goose Island State Park is located at the southern tip of Lamar Peninsula amid the bays and estuaries of the Texas Gulf Coastal Bend. The mainland portion of the park is comprised of a live oak, red-bay woods which contain yaupon holly, American beautyberry, coral bean and wax myrtle. Also on the mainland is a portion of tallgrass prairie consisting of bushy bluestem and saltgrass. Wildlife observation and photography opportunities include white-tailed deer, raccoon, armadillo, fox, squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and over 300 varieties of birds. The endangered whooping crane feeds on berries and blue crabs occurring in the coastal wetlands around Goose Island State Park.

The island portion of the park is an oyster shell island consisting of a shell ridge and marshland. Plants on the shell ridge portion of the island include sea-ox-eye daisy, wolfberry, sea purslane, baccharis and seashore dropseed grass. The marsh at Goose Island includes smooth cordgrass, marsh-hay cordgrass, saltgrass, saltwort and glasswort. The bays around Goose Island are filled with seagrass beds and oyster reefs. Red drum, speckled trout and flounder are just a few of the fish that live in the bays around the island.

More information on wildlife mentioned here:

Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Elevation: 20 ft.
Weather: July average high 92, January average low 45, prevailing southeast breeze, humid; August, September, and October are wettest months; first/last freeze: December 16/February 7.

National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Schedule: Open: 7 days a week year-round. Busy Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day; October through Thanksgiving and January through April. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.

Directions: The park is located 10 miles northeast of Rockport on State Highway 35 to Park Road 13, then 2 miles east to park entrance. Park location map media download (PDF 38.8 KB)

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.

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