West Beach Primitive Campground

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When you think of camping in Texas, do you imagine taking long walks on the beach, and waking up to the sun beaming over the Gulf of Mexico in the morning?

If not, then it’s time to reset your expectations--and stay at this primitive campground on the beach! You know the drill with primitive campgrounds (no amenities), but the West Beach Primitive Campground isn’t too far from hiking, day-use picnicking, oodles of parking, and of course, the water!

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East Beach Primitive Campground

1 site In West Beach Primitive Campground

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Piping Plover Campground

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Your guide to camping in West Beach Primitive Campground

Overview

Biking

Sea Rim State Park offers no mountain bike trails or bike paths, but the 5-mile Gulf Coast beachfront is great for a bike ride with a view. Or if you’re riding with fat tires, jump right onto the sand and enjoy that warm gulf breeze.

Boating

Kayaking and canoeing are favorite pastimes at Sea Rim State Park, but motorized boats can also be launched in the park’s northern marsh region. Airboat tours are often offered in the warmer months, so ask around on your visit to see if the airboats are up and running.

Fishing

The fish will be biting whether you head out to sea on the boat or fish right from the shore. Whether you choose to go surf fishing right in the Gulf of Mexico, or head to the Marsh Lakes and Estuaries, you won’t need a fishing license as long as you stay on land and this tip sheet will give you all the details. Fishing is prohibited after sunset from the Marshlands, so make sure you read up before you hit the water.

Hiking

You won’t find any strenuous hikes at Sea Rim State Park, but you’ll be delighted by the scenic trails. Learn a thing or two on the coastal interpretive trail, or take a walk down the Gambusia Marsh Boardwalk for some wildlife sighting. Salt Rim State Park marks the boundary between salt marsh and sea, offering diverse landscapes for all your wandering. The sandy beaches and dunes, grassy marshlands and boardwalks can all be traversed, and it’s worth it to explore Sea Rim by foot.

Horseback riding

5.2 miles of Gulf Coast beachfront is the perfect trail for horseback riding. Although the beach is only open to equestrians during the months of December, January and February, it’s some of the best coastal horseback riding around.

Paddling

Not sure which way to paddle that canoe? Sea Rim State Park makes it simple, with three paddling trails to choose from: easy, moderate, and advanced. Launch your boat into the water by the main parking lot, and then set out through the marsh channels. Go left at the fork for a moderate loop, or head right. You’ll paddle through the open fence lake, back through narrow channels, past the expansive Salt Lake, and all the way out to the Teal Flats, where you can paddle for miles along the scenic shores. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one from the park.

Swimming

Head to the beach, because the best swimming around is right in the Gulf of Mexico. Low sand dunes make it easy to dry off in the sun, and you’ll find showers and other amenities by the boardwalk when it’s time to go.

Wildlife watching

Things get surprisingly wild at Sea Rim State Park. Alligators make frequent appearances, and river otters, muskrat, and coyotes are also spotted within the park. At the beach, you’ll find coquina clams and ghost crabs, who live out in the dry sections of beach. Sea Rim State Park is also a favorite among birders. The lakes, ponds, and marshlands make a great habitat for spoonbills, egrets, and herons.