Shannon

Share you comments or questions about Goose Island State Park, located in Rockport, Texas.

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- Shannon Moore
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debmills853

Just found this site, and the pictures are making me homesick! Thought I would add my comments about Goose Island, as it is pretty unique as far as Tx State Parks go, and I've been to about half of them. What makes it so different is that there is one area that is completely beach...then another area where you can hike a woodland trail with no clue you're near the water. The trees are a kid's dream...they're all twisty and gnarly, easy to climb, some with long limbs stretching parallel to the ground. And of course there's the champion Big Tree, which never fails to amaze me, no matter how many times I see it. There's some interesting history about that area, something about a Catholic hospital or sanctuary and a town completely laid waste, I think by the storm of 1910. And it's always fun to drive around the area, look at the houses at Key Allegro, check out Austwell wildlife refuge, the Fulton mansion in Rockport and pick up some baked goods from Crofut's at Bayside. There used to be a cool place to eat in Rockport, where they had a zoo and all kinds of neat stuff. Anyway - I just thought someone ought to know about this place, it's a lot more interesting than it looks on paper.

zoom

Wow! I spent all evening reading about Goose Island. I'm planning a surprise camping trip (now that's a feat!) for my husband's birthday in late April and I decided that's where weWow! IWow! II've just spent all evening reading about Goose Island. I'm planning a surprise camping trip (Can I pull it off?) for my husband's birthday in late April and I decided tonight that we'll go to Goose Island. It sounds fascinating. I saw some really amazing photographs on the web, too, so I'm really psyched for this trip. If anyone has any tips/advice to send my way to make the trip really special, I'd really appreciate it. We live in Austin, but we usually go to Port Aransas at least once a year. I grew up near South Padre, so I require proximity to the ocean at least that often. ( I desire it more often than that!) Please feel free to send me any wild Texas travel/vacation tips. Zoom

Smitty

The restaraunt that hasthe zoo is BIG FISHERMAN RESTAURANT
510 HWY 188
ROCKPORT, TX
361-729-1997

Beware of the large seafood plate because the small one will stuff you!

ploddinTod

Zoom, I wish I had some info for you but I've never heard of this place until I came to this site. I certainly feel your excitement for your upcoming trip. I have a friend who recently set up a kayak retail shop in Port Aransas. So I need to get down to that area and check it out. And, of course, a "small" seafood platter would make for a delightful lunch or dinner. Thanks for the headsup, Smitty.

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PloddinTod

cmpdx

Does anyone have any photos or words of wisdom about the Rec center at Goose Island? I'm thinking of having a VERY casual wedding reception there, and was wondering just how 'rustic' it is. I understand there's no a/c, would that be a problem in mid/late april???
i'm originally from the area but now live in oregon and i'm missing the coastal bend. thanks for any help!!

BigBendHiker

Hi! We live in Victoria and have been to Goose Island and the Rockport area many times. Mid to late April is probably best if the facility is not air conditioned. Give a call to the Rockport Chamber of Commerce (361) 729-6445)...they may have some details on the facility or know someone who does.


BBH

kestrelkitty

Hi! I'm new and I have some questions about Goose Island State Park. Were going April 11th Thru April 16th. Were camping in a tent. Are there fire rings at the camp sights? And what are the nuture trails like.I take wildlife and nature photos and am hoping to get some really good ones. Is it really windy? And if there anything anyone can tell me about the park and camping there or hiking or just about anything that will help or you think I should no about will be appreciated. We try to camp somewhere different each time and if we like it we go back again. Thanks

Smitty

The campsites have fire rings and grills. The park does get windy at times. They have some really beautifull sunsets at the water campsites. Near one of the bathrooms is a place with lots of bird feeders for the birds. If your tenting you will want to secure your food! You will notice at te office t shirts for sell that show racoon exploits. At the boat launch you will see a bunch of pelicans waiting for scraps. Lots of wildlife to enjoy. Also you might want to take a day trip to the Aransas National wildlife refuge. The info below is from there web site.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
The bugle of an endangered whooping crane echoes across the far reaches of the marsh. Only at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge do North America's tallest birds find an enduring winter stronghold. Here, too, pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, ducks, and geese dine in brackish waters and salt marshes teeming with fishes, blue crabs, and clams. On shore, javelinas, bobcats and deer wander oak woodlands. Alligators peer from still waters of ponds and sloughs. Ringed by tidal marshes and broken by long, narrow sloughs, this 59,000-acres refuge sprawls mostly across the Blackjack penisula, where grasslands, live oaks, and redbay thickets cover deep sandy soils. Storms and waters of the Gulf of Mexico constantly reshape this vital refuge, home to over 390 different bird species.



Getting There . . .
From Rockport, TX, take Highway 35 north approximately 20 miles. Turn right on FM 774, go approximately 9 miles to FM 2040. Turn right and follow FM 2040 for about 7 miles to refuge entrance.