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Illustrative landscape
Goose Island State Park is a premier coastal camping destination on the shores of Aransas and St. Charles Bays. Home to the famous Big Tree — a 1,000+ year-old live oak — and adjacent to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, it offers world-class birding, fishing, and waterfront camping. Whooping cranes winter here from November through March.
Campsites
122 campsites
Region
Gulf Coast
Guide rate from
$10/night*
Entrance
$5/person
Short answer
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation guidance · Checked 2026-09-07.
Compare your options
Campsite types
*Guide prices only. Confirm current rates when booking.
Water + Electric
$25/night*40 sites
Water, 20/30/50-amp electric (bayfront)RV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$20/night*53 sites
Water, electric (wooded oak area)RV OKTent OK
Full Hookup
$30/night*7 sites
Water, sewer, 30/50-amp electricRV OK
Walk-in Tent
$10/night*22 sites
Water nearby - no electricTent OK
Book directly with the park
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Confirm current inventory, rates, fees, and seasonal details on the official booking site.
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Location & trip guide
Rockport, Texas
Goose Island State Park is in Gulf Coast, about 3 hr 15 min from Austin. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:The bayfront water/electric sites have bay views and easy access to the pier and shoreline — great for families.
For Privacy:The walk-in tent sites are set away from the parking area and offer the most solitude.
For RVs:Book the full-hookup sites first — there are only a handful and they go fastest; the bayfront water/electric loop handles larger rigs too.
When to Go
November through March for whooping cranes and winter Texans. Spring and fall are also popular. Summer is hot and buggy.
Tips
- →Visit the Big Tree — it survived Hurricane Harvey and is still standing
- →Take a whooping crane boat tour from Rockport (November-March)
- →Bayfront sites are exposed to wind — bring extra stakes and a wind screen
- →Rockport has excellent seafood restaurants — make it part of your trip
Highlights
The Big Tree — 1,000+ year-old live oakAdjacent to Aransas NWR (whooping cranes)Bayfront campsites on the waterWorld-class birding and fishingLighted fishing pierKayaking and paddleboarding on the bay
Goose Island State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Goose Island State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Goose Island State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. November through March for whooping cranes and winter Texans. Spring and fall are also popular. Summer is hot and buggy. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Goose Island State Park have?+
Goose Island State Park has 122 campsites, including Water + Electric, Full Hookup, Walk-in Tent. Published guide rates start at $10/night plus a $5/person entrance fee; confirm current rates when booking.
What is the entrance fee at Goose Island State Park?+
The entrance fee at Goose Island State Park is $5 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Goose Island State Park?+
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Goose Island State Park?+
Cancellations at Goose Island State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If campsites are full, check cabins and vacation rentals near Rockport for your dates.