Bayfront area Loop Campground

Goose Island State Park’s boat launch makes getting out on the beautiful St. Charles Bay easy. Whether you’re fishing, searching for wildlife, or just looking for some wind in your hair, boaters will enjoy the calm waters of the bay and lush greenery of the marshes. But don’t get too close to shore! Bulkheads and mud flats make the bay a less than ideal swimming spot, and motorized boats shouldn’t wander too close to shore.

A 1,620-foot long fishing pier, boat launch, and fish cleaning station make Goose Island State Park an ideal fishing destination. No license? No problem! Texas State Parks don’t require a fishing license as long as you stick to the shore or the pier. The pier is located at the farthest edge of the park, right by the Aransas bay, so you’re guaranteed some refreshing Gulf breezes and ocean views while you fish. This map will help you locate the best fishing spots in the park. And for all the fishy details, this guide should help.

The Turks Cap Trail is a .66 mile path that meanders through the park’s flatlands, and is a great way to see the park’s non-aquatic wildlife and lush flatlands.

The park’s kayak and canoe launch makes it easy to explore the Aransas and St. Charles Bays. Since the St. Charles Bay is sheltered by the island, water is generally calm. If you paddle quietly, you might just come across an endangered whooping crane, which feeds on the crabs and berries of the coastal wetlands. Boat rentals are not available here; it’s BYOK at Goose Island State Park.

Whether you’re wandering through the mainland, the island, or have found yourself in the middle of the bay, you’ll quickly notice that Goose Island State Park is winning the wildlife game. Explore the Big Tree in the middle of the park, an enormous live oak with branches that extend 90 feet across. A hike through the mainland’s trails will reveal white-tailed deer, armadillos, and cottontail rabbits. Look carefully into the waters around the island, and you’ll see plenty of trout and red drum swimming about. This nature guide offers all the wild details.