Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park

  • Goose Island Big Tree
    Be sure to visit the Big Tree, one of the largest live oaks in the U.S.
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  • Goose Island Picnic
    Bring the family and a picnic to this park along the Texas coast.
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  • Camping at Goose Island
    Set up camp under the live oaks.
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  • Wildflowers at Goose Island
    Wildflowers fill the park in spring.
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Life by the Bay

Lapping water and Gulf breezes: We must be on the coast! Goose Island offers camping, fishing and birding along St. Charles and Aransas bays, north of Corpus Christi.

Things to Do

Camp, fish, hike, geocache, go boating, and observe and take photos of wildlife, especially birds. We don’t recommend swimming here, as the shoreline has concrete bulkheads, oyster shells, mud flats and marsh grass.

Camping

Choose from 44 campsites by the bay or 57 sites nestled under oak trees, all with water and electricity. Every camping loop has restrooms with showers. We also have 25 walk-in tent sites without electricity, and a group camp for youth groups.

Fishing

Fish from shore, boat, or our 1,620-foot long fishing pier. We have a regular boat launch and a kayak/canoe launch. We also have a fish cleaning station. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a Texas state park.

Rent our group recreation hall for your next family event. Buy gift items at the park’s store.

Paddling

Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one of our kayaks. Rentals, including paddles and lifejackets, are available at a kiosk on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Big Tree

Be sure to visit the Big Tree, which has been standing sentinel on the coast for centuries. In 1969, it was named the State Champion Coastal Live Oak.

Get involved

We need your help! Volunteers at the park help in the office, with maintenance, and with birding. Stop by headquarters or check our Volunteer page.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Ranger Programs

We offer a variety of programs, including nature hikes, birding tours, kids programs and more. Check our Events page to see what’s coming up.

Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Kids

Check out the Junior Ranger Program! An Explorer Pack offers tools for looking at nature up close and personal. Pick up a free Activity Journal; complete a certain number of activities to earn a badge.

Civilian Conservation Corps

The CCC started work here clearing, planting trees, and caring for the Big Tree. Later, the CCC men constructed the current recreation hall out of shell crete using oyster shells. They also built roads, bridges and drainage systems. To learn more about the CCC’s work here, check the links below. 

Area Attractions

Endangered whooping cranes spend winter across St. Charles Bay at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Also nearby are the Texas Maritime Museum, the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site and Rockport Beach.

In Corpus Christi, visit the Texas State Aquarium and the U.S.S. Lexington. Rockport has art galleries, restaurants, and more.

202 S. Palmetto St.
Rockport, TX 78382-7965

Latitude: 28.133503

Longitude: -96.984280

(361) 729-2858

Entrance Fees
  • Adult: $5 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Hours

Open daily,
6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

 

We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.

Busy Season

Memorial Day through Labor Day, October through Thanksgiving, and January through April

Climate

January average low is 45 degrees. July average high is 92 degrees. Wettest months are August, September and October. First freeze occurs mid-December. Last freeze occurs early February.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

20 feet