toejam

Can anybody recommend a a place on the coast for wilderness camping with a kayak? Looking for some protected water and solitude and information about where to park my car.

Thanks!

oceanus

...anywhere on parkland, except on the sand dunes. Just wanted to make that distinction for folks not familiar with the National Seashore and its policies.

As one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in N. America, the dunes at the Seashore are protected and shouldn't be driven or walked on (except at the marked crossing down-island, accessible only by 4x4 vehicle) or camped upon. On the gulfward side of the beach, camping near the dunes is permitted but not on or behind them.

Not sure if it will help in planning, but maybe the Texas Water Safari course might interest you or provide additional ideas as to places to put in/take out.

ploddinTod

Toejam,
Steve took the words right out of my mouth. The Laguna Madre was the first place I thought of for solitude. I'm not a kayaker but I know there is a major cut at Port Mansfield in case you wanted to cut across to the gulf and paddle with the dolphins. But don't go too far south on the island or you'll get into some serious wildness (spring breakers ). I also heard there is a new canoe/kayak retail shop in Aransas Pass. Enjoy your trip.

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PloddinTod

toejam

Thanks for the input. Padre Island was the first place I thought of.

Has anybody been to Matagorda Island? What's that like?

oceanus

I've never been to Matagorda, but I think it has an interesting name. Matar, in Spanish, means to kill. Gorda would refer to a fat woman (no offense to anyone). So, it seems, that Matagorda would mean "killer of the fat woman," but I'm not entirely sure on that.

Steve

toejam

I've been doing some research on this. Matagorda Island sounds like a really cool place to visit. The ancient lighthouse is the most well-known feature. But the remoteness sounds interesting. You have to take a boat ride 12 miles to get there. There is a campground with showers etc. near the boat dock and primitive camping over 2 miles away on the beach side. There is a shuttle on the island that goes between the dock, the beach, and the lighthouse. There was an Air Force base on the island not too long ago. I called the park and they said no camping down the island - it's a wildlife refuge including coyotes and bobcats. It sounds like a place you could really get away from it all.

oceanus

That does sound great! Though I'd be a little weary of alligators. I've been to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent to Matagorda, and there are tons of gators there. They're saltwater gators, which allows them to move freely along the coast.

Have fun, though, and let us know how it goes.

Steve