Summer is a time to slow down and savor the moment, and you do not have to travel far to find majestic views, tranquil beaches, or amazing wildlife. There are ninety-five Texas state parks to explore — more than enough to fill every summer day.
If you plan a summer vacation to San Antonio, Corpus Christi, or Houston, Mustang Island State Park is a three-hour or less drive, and there is plenty of family fun. The park is located in Port Aransas and spans five miles of coastline.
Surfing, swimming, camping, and fishing are just some of the activities you can enjoy at Mustang Island.
Wildlife is a big part of Mustang Island, known as a “bird mecca,” with over four hundred identified bird species calling the island home. For those who enjoy bird watching, one of the rarest species you can find within the area is the aplomado falcon. Aplomado falcons were last seen in the wild in Texas more than 50 years ago. The Peregrine Fund spearheaded a recovery campaign for this endangered bird in 1984. Biologists released sixty-five captive-bred falcons at Mustang Island State Park in 2012 and 2013. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one.
Two types of sea turtles visit Mustang Island. The Atlantic green sea turtle and the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. The turtles spend their time searching for food and swimming in the water. The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle is the most endangered globally and the smallest, weighing a mere 90 pounds. Annually, the Kemp’s ridley turtles will come ashore from April through July to lay their eggs.
There are forty-eight water and electric campsites with full bathrooms, including hot water showers, and fifty drive-up primitive sites for campers. Portable restrooms span two miles of the beach.
If you are into paddling, the Mustang State Park paddling trail has three segments located along the island’s western shore in Corpus Christi Bay. Twenty miles of the course allow for shallow water fishing and spectacular views of coastal birds.
Cooper Lake State Park is 90 minutes northeast of Dallas for those looking for a shorter commute to relaxation. Fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and horseback riding are all activities to be enjoyed while visiting the park.
While fishing from the shore, there is no need for a fishing permit, and there are plenty of convenient boat docks, fishing piers, and fish cleaning stations. Blue and channel catfish, bluegill, Florida largemouth bass, crappie, and hybrid striped bass are available to anglers.
Visitors can also find a variety of land creatures here. Gray fox, bobcat, opossum, beaver, raccoon, white-tailed deer, nine-banded armadillo, and eastern cottontail are possible sightings.
For camping, options include water and electric sites or a walk-in campsite. At the South Sulphur unit, there are horse campsites. Both units have screened shelters and cabins. South Sulphur also features fourteen cabins, each with a kitchen and bathroom.
Because summer is the busiest season for most state parks, visitors should make reservations. Entrance fees for Texas state parks are $5 for adults and free for children under 12. For more information, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
