Camping near Galveston with a private bathroom

Nestled on the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston offers breathtaking camping experiences where beaches are always close by. Galveston Island is long and narrow with over 30 miles of beaches on the inland side facing West Bay and the ocean side facing the Gulf of Mexico, excellent for sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, boating, and birdwatching, too. San Luis Pass County Park and Galveston Island State Park feature beachfront camping on the island, but more rustic, primitive campsites are available inland at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge where campers can spot bobcats, white-tailed deer, marsh rabbits, and waterfowl like herons and sandpipers.

On the west end of Galveston Island, this 2,000-acre state park offers beachfront and bayside camping with tent campsites including picnic tables, water pumps, and fire rings, plus nearby restrooms and shared showers. RV campers can choose between dry campsites for their trailers and motorhomes or RV sites with 50-amp hookups for electricity. While staying at or near Galveston Island State Park, Hipcampers can go paddling, mountain biking, hiking, or fishing—no license required for catching mackerel and jacks from shore.

Galveston is a great destination for year-round camping in Texas—most campsites are open throughout the year, though some activities may be limited during winter. Campgrounds tend to be less busy in the spring and fall, and the weather is milder with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s. Spring brings beautiful wildflowers and greenery to the parks and trails near Galveston. Summer can get hot and humid, as high as the mid-90s, but it’s also a popular time of year for water activities. Winter is a bit cooler, as low as the mid-40s, with opportunities to spot migratory birds, nesting sea turtles, and sun-bathing alligators.