Private beach camping near Crystal Beach

Gulf Coast waters call anglers and boaters to take a Crystal Beach camping trip.

100% (22 reviews)

United States
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Texas
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Crystal Beach

100% (22 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Crystal Beach

Top beach campgrounds near crystal beach

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Edge Of The Waters

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Port Bolivar, TX

Waterfront RV Port on Bolivar Peninsula. Water, sewer, and electric (20-30-50 amp panel) Covered RV spot with a screen porch. Property is fenced and dogs are welcome. The screened has a dining table with chairs, and also stores some patio chairs to use on the property. They are really great to sit on the dock! There is also a charcoal grill and a crab trap for you to use. (You need a fishing license and bait. Chicken bones works great!) Fishing is great here... the canals have been dredged and folks are catching right of the back of their lots. Community fishing area is on the end of both Van Sant and Mabry, Mabry has a boat ramp. These you cast right off a drop to the intracoastal. Beach Access via community gate at end of street. Combination for those will be shared in arrival instructions. Spot is a residential lot... It is 60 x 130. Canal City is a quiet residential area. The back side fronts on the water. You will probably see more seagulls and purple martins than people. We have weekly discounts. Message me and I can go over them because the Hipcamp platform makes them difficult. It works out to approximately 7 nights for the price of 5. Be prepared: Bolivar has mosquitoes. This is the coast. If it has rained they can be really bad. The county sprays on a regular rotation but it can be bad. They tend to swarm when you pull in. Spray helps. We also send recommendations for what sprays work best for us in the arrival instructions. We do not offer refunds for mosquitoes. We have never found them unmanageable, and the screen porch keeps them almost entirely away. We are east of Rollover Pass. Easiest to arrive through Winnie and south on 124. Unless you are coming from Galveston or southeast Houston it is probably shorter. The ferry is fun (dolphins and such) but the waits can be long. Also: Do not bring loose propane tanks or gasoline cans on the ferry, they will send you away. (Propane on RV is fine, but that is all they allow) https://www.txdot.gov/discover/ferry-boat-schedules/ferry-rules.html

Private beach camping near Crystal Beach guide

Overview

The unincorporated community of Crystal Beach (also known as Patton) sits on the Bolivar Peninsula and is a popular destination for camping and water sports in the Gulf of Mexico. Anglers can fish from rocks or designated jetties on miles of beach. Then set up at a nearby beach campsite where campfires are encouraged during safe conditions. It’s also possible to venture into parks like Galveston Island State Park and Sea Rim State Park that have dispersed, primitive beach camping, as well as RV and tent campsites, to spend a few days in nature. Or visit Big Thicket National Preserve to the northeast to explore forest and marshland from a campsite set up on sandbars.

Where to go

Big Thicket National Preserve

Nine different ecosystems and habitats converge in Big Thicket National Preserve and its 113,114 acres. Open to campers year-round, popular activities in the preserve include camping, fishing, and hunting. Free permits are required to camp on-site though. Hiking trails twist alongside waterways and through longleaf pine forests and bayous. Hike-in or paddle-in primitive dispersed camping allows campers to spend the night right next to nature. Some of the sandbars in Big Thicket Bog even have unique primitive backcountry camping options. Just make sure camps are pitched 200 feet from roads, trails, and park boundaries.

Galveston Island State Park

A barrier island between Galveston Bay and the gulf, Galveston Island features dunes, estuaries, and wetlands encompassed by Galveston Island State Park. Campers can bring tents and RVs to campgrounds with electrical hookups and picnic tables. Then spend the day fishing in the gulf, mountain biking through forest trails, or taking nature walks along the beach and its native wildlife. Galveston Island also has dedicated bay and beach camping, each with hookups and firepits, as well as reservable ADA-compliant vacation rentals with full kitchens and air conditioning. For an extra treat, go glamping in a raised tent platform with queen beds and adirondack chairs.

Sea Rim State Park

Sea Rim State Park is a remote coastal park where marshlands meet the Gulf of Mexico, meaning campers can take canoes and kayaks from the gulf to the marshes. However, campers should keep a watch out for alligators. Boat-in to primitive beachside camping on horse-friendly Gulf Coast beach fronts. Then, swim, fish, or hunt around the state park or enjoy a hike along Gambusia Nature Trail Boardwalk for migratory bird sightings. For a more relaxing retreat, stay at a beachside, ADA-compliant cabin adjacent to an accessible boat ramp.

When to go

Bolivar Peninsula experiences average year-round temperatures ranging from 50°F to 90°F. The area can experience longer summers with high heat. In winter, campers can enjoy quieter trips to the beach in mild temperatures. Most campgrounds are open year-round in the area for convenience.