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Illustrative landscape
Mustang Island State Park offers beach camping directly on the Gulf of Mexico — one of the few places in Texas where you can pitch a tent or park an RV right on the sand. Five miles of pristine beach, excellent fishing, kayak trails through the bay, and world-class birding make it a top coastal destination.
Campsites
98 campsites
Region
Gulf Coast
Guide rate from
$13/night*
Entrance
$7/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*48 sites
Water, 50-amp electric; picnic table and shade shelterRV OKTent OK
Primitive Drive-up
$13/night*50 sites
No hookups - drive-up beach sites; restrooms 50 yards to 1.5 miles awayRV OKTent 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
Port Aransas, Texas
Mustang Island State Park is in Gulf Coast, about 3 hr 30 min from Austin. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:Book the water and electric sites first — they have hookups, picnic tables, shade shelters, and full restrooms with hot showers nearby
For Privacy:The primitive drive-up beach sites offer the most solitude — park right on the sand along miles of open beach
For RVs:The water and electric sites are the only ones with hookups; book early since they go fastest
When to Go
March through October. Spring break and summer are packed. Fall is ideal — warm water, fewer crowds, great fishing.
Tips
- →Beach primitive camping is first-come, first-served — arrive early
- →Bring sand stakes for your tent — regular stakes will not hold in sand
- →The paddling trail on the bay side is protected from Gulf waves
- →Port Aransas has great restaurants and fishing charters nearby
Highlights
Beach camping on the Gulf of Mexico5 miles of pristine beachPaddling trail on Corpus Christi BaySurf fishing and wade fishingWorld-class birdingAdjacent to Port Aransas
Mustang Island State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Mustang Island State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Mustang Island State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through October. Spring break and summer are packed. Fall is ideal — warm water, fewer crowds, great fishing. 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 Mustang Island State Park have?+
Mustang Island State Park has 98 campsites, including Water + Electric, Primitive Drive-up. Published guide rates start at $13/night plus a $7/person entrance fee; confirm current rates when booking.
What is the entrance fee at Mustang Island State Park?+
The entrance fee at Mustang Island State Park is $7 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 Mustang 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 Mustang Island State Park?+
Cancellations at Mustang 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 Port Aransas for your dates.
Parks Near Mustang Island State Park
Planning Mustang Island State Park by month
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.