Galveston is a coastal city located in Southeast Texas. If you ever wanted to pitch your tent on a sandy beach, camping in Galveston is a great opportunity to experience beach camping. The beach area is large, so you don’t have to worry about reservations or a lack of tent pitches as in other campsites.
There are both options for wild camping and paid campsites, we cover that part later in the article. People camp in Galveston for various reasons, whether it’s swimming, chilling on the beach, windsurfing, or something else. Galveston beach is easily accessible, affordable, and a good choice overall.
Wild camping: Is it legal in Galveston?
Technically yes, but not for the whole day. You can camp for free in Galveston, but only in the Galveston Island State Park. Also, it’s illegal to camp between 12 am to 5 am. One option worth considering is to head to the Bolivar Peninsula where you can camp on the beach for free overnight.
Most campsites available on the beaches are for RV camping. Some are self-contained, while others are full-service luxurious RV campsites. A smaller number of campsites on the beach offer tent camping as well. Plenty of camping options to choose from and most of them offer
“cross the ferry to Bolivae and go down to gulf shores drive, camp on the beach anywhere just get a parking permit from the big store.”
– reggie_rocket on Reddit
Best time for camping in Galveston
The best time to camp depends on the activities you want to enjoy. For example, if you are into swimming, the best time to visit would be during the summer months. However, temperatures tend to be too hot during summer, so if you just want to relax, we suggest going during the winter or spring months instead.
Things you should bring with you:
- Camera – Especially if you are visiting during April when Featherfest, the birdwatching festival begins.
- Desert tent – If you are unsure which tent to get, check our 7 Best Tent for Desert Camping guide.
- Water – You can bring it in a bottle or a big container if you camp with RV, especially during the hot summer months.
5 campsites in Galveston you can stay at
1. Galveston Island State Park
The first in this list and the most known campsite in Galveston is the Galveston Island State Park. This park opened back in 1975. and has been working ever since. There are more than 2,000 acres of pure nature around the park to enjoy. The prices are affordable and if you don’t want to camp in a tent, you can also rent a lodge.
Plenty of water taps around as well.
Things to do around
- Go swimming
- Learn how to fish
- Go hiking
Pricing:
Starting at 15$ per night, but you should always double-check it on the official website.
Address:
14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554
Texas Campground Club was founded in 1972 when a group of people decided to convert a piece of land in Galveston to a private RV campground club. There are 300 different lots on this campground. The camp has a staff that organizes different events all the time. If you have an RV and love to camp, you should definitely check out this place.
Things to do around
- Go windsurfing
- Watersports
- Try the seafood at Nate’s Westend Seafood & Steaks nearby
Pricing:
Since you can’t rent a space in this park, there isn’t one specific price. However, you can buy yourself a plot if someone is willing to sell, and move to this place.
Address:
17515 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
Luxurious campsite with 181 different pull-through RV sites. The sites are equipped with hookups and all the facilities you need. Jamaica Beach RV Resort is located approximately 5 minutes away from the nearest beach. The campsite is surrounded by palm trees which gives it that cool tropical vibe.
Things to do around
- Visit J. A. Soukup Fine Art shop
- The Strand – Take a trip through history and see a bunch of houses built in the 19th century
- Moody Gardens – Entertainment Complex
Pricing:
The price starts at approximately 50$ per day, but it depends on the season. Make sure you double-check the official prices on their website.
Address:
17200 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
Bay Side is a great campsite if you like the classic old way of camping in a tent. No trailers or motorhomes are allowed on site. The facilities include restrooms with showers and water, but there are also picnic tables, fire rings with grills, shade shelters, and more.
You can even bring pets with you, but they can’t enter any building though. This campsite is not on the beach part of the park, but rather in the “green” part.
Things to do around
- Relax in the park
- Visit Port Bolivar Ferry
- Explore The Bryan Museum
Pricing:
The price is just 15$ per day but always double-check on the official website.
Address:
Galveston, TX 77554
Conclusion
Camping in Galveston is a fun and rewarding experience. If you never camped on a beach yet, now is your chance. Galveston is affordable, reachable, and very beautiful. You should definitely give it a chance if you are living “nearby”.
