isobel

Hi guys, my boyfriend and I would like to spend a weekend camping (tent) by the beach. Both of us only camp once or twice before so don't have much experience; and we've never tried beach camping before. So pls pardon me if the questions are stupid to you.

I've been searching camp sites and now I am thinking either Pachre Island National Seashore or Galveston Island State Park and can't decide which one. I've read some threads and here the dumb questions come:

A lot of people recommend PINS but we don't have a 4 wheel drive vehicle so would it be a problem to go to PINS? and would it be harder to set up the tent on the beach? I know that Galveston Island SP camp site is not really on the beach, but around 150 yards walking from the beach, that is actually not a very big problem to us.

Another concern is PINS is a little too far driving from dallas (7 hours). But we would like to swim, would PINS be better? Guys please help me decide.

Any information on these 2 camp sites are deeply appreciated!
Thank you so much for your patience... Hope you have a great weekend!

happybooker1

I know Padre is further but the water will be MUCH nicer. We are on the 'silty' side of the Mississippi River delta. The further you go from the delta the clearer the water becomes. (Alabama, Florida, Georgia -- are on the non-silty side -- why they have that beautiful emerald green water & we have brown :confused: )

Can't comment on the tent camping but I just know the further you go down the coast the better the water quality.

srds

I live in Freeport 45 miles south of Galveston Park and now is not the best time to swim here.We had a very bad problem with seaweed at this time.Happybooker1 is also right about water ,I don't know about the lower coast but with all the flooding must of the water is very dark .August and September are great around here we won't have the clearity in the water but it is a blue -green until the wind changes for Fall.As for camping,tent stakes change to small screw stakes or 1 inch pvc pipes cut to 2 foot with a hole drill in top for attaching tent to.Always try to put extra ground cover before set up of tent .And a must a broom to keep sand out of tents.Have you looked up Matagordo bay Nature Park,nice place,check it out at LCRA/parks.Its a new park ,but you will still have the same water color.In the Freeport area theres Quintana park small but very clean park ,also San Louis Pass Park look under Brazosport,Texas plus we have 5 public beaches.
The sand is also very different from lower coast we have a more dense and pack sand and Pins is a very soft light pack type.

Pinns is one of Texas's best beach areas ,as for 4 wheel drive much of the time the sand is packed down enough to drive.and even then rangers patrol with 4 wheelers and 4 wheel drives to help out if you do get stuck.There is always people around to help,go have fun.Take fire wood,at times driftwood is'nt there.Wash bucket or portable shower to rinse sand off before getting into tents.

Both areas are very different,have fun .

srds :cool:
Good Camping

isobel

Thank you all for your very helpful information. I really appreciate that!

srds

I forgot about Mustang Island State Park,this is a very nice place to tent camp.
srds :cool:
Good Camping

agaras

Hi there, I'm new here. My family and I are planning a trip to Surfside beach for an overnight stay. We'll be pitching tents, grilling, etc... I've never been, but is there anything I should expect? This will be my first time "beach camping" and I'm a bit nervous. Its very different from Garner State park....will there be bathrooms?!! Any suggestions would be great!