Rick Becker

Rick Becker

Explore Galveston Island State Park

06/16/17

This state park is a hidden gem. Every Saturday at 10:00 am from March to the end of November free guided interpretive beach walks are offered and each Sunday, bay walks are offered. There are three kayak trails in various bayous on the bay side of the park. You can go on the park website and sign up for a free guided kayak trip. The park has ten tandem kayaks and guides that lead these trips, again all free to the public. The park doesn't rent these kayaks but there are several kayak rental businesses in Jamaica Beach that will deliver the kayaks to the park launches and pick them up when you are done. All fishing in the state park can be done without a fishing license and there are multiple freshwater lakes as well as fishing in the bay or the gulf. The beach at the park has been left to develop naturally and is one of the best beaches on the island. The park has multiple hiking trails through a variety of habitats including the coastal prairie and salt marsh. There is a $5 per person park entry fee but if you have a Texas State Park pass everyone in your car gets in free. This is a must-see park and the only place left on Galveston Island where you can go unobstructed from the beach to the dune and swale complex to the coastal prairie to the salt marsh to Galveston Bay. One of my favorite places.

5.0