Waterside camping near Crystal Beach
Gulf Coast waters call anglers and boaters to take a Crystal Beach camping trip.
- Crystal Beach
Popular camping styles for Crystal Beach
Waterside 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.
