Galveston Island State Park

14901 FM 3005
Galveston TX 77554
409/737-1222
Park locator map

History: Galveston Island State Park, in Galveston County, is in the City of Galveston on the west end of Galveston Island. It is a 2,013.1-acre site that was acquired in 1969 from private owners under the State Parks Bond Program and was opened in 1975.

Galveston Island is believed to be approximately 5000 years old and has had an interesting history during the past 500 years. It is generally believed Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were shipwrecked here in 1520 and eventually made their way from the island to colonies in Mexico. The LaFitte brothers, fleeing the prosecution of pirates in the United States, established a government here in 1817, with visions of creating a "Manhattan on the Gulf." Commerce did thrive here, but major storms in 1867, 1871, 1875, and 1886 greatly slowed progress. The great storm of 1900 devastated the island, killing 5000 to 10,000 people, and prompted the construction of the seawall which protects the northern half of the island.

Dunes Renewal Project: September 10, 1998, Tropical Storm Frances destroyed the sand dunes at Galveston Island State Park. The dunes serve as the only protection that the park has for its facilities. A project was implemented to rebuild the dunes through the use of Christmas trees.

Activities: The park offers camping, birdwatching, nature study, hiking, mountain bike riding, fishing, and unsupervised beach swimming. For summer play schedules for the Mary Moody Northern Amphitheater, please call 409/737-1744. Tours: Educational tours of the flora and fauna of the beach and bay areas of the park are given by appointment only. Contact the park to make arrangements.

Volunteer Opportunities: For information on volunteering at the park, visit the web site maintained by The Friends of Galveston Island State Park at www.fogisp.org. Information on volunteer opportunities at all Texas State Parks.

Area Attractions: Nearby attractions in Galveston include Moody Gardens (with the Rainforest Pyramid, I-Max Theater, Palm Beach, etc.); numerous historical homes; the Railroad Museum; the Strand Historical District, where the Tall Ship Elissa (an 1877 sailing vessel) is moored; the Seaport Museum; and the Galveston County Museum. Space Center Houston is also nearby, as are the the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site & the San Jacinto Monument, and the Battleship TEXAS. Brazos Bend State Park, Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site and Brazoria County Access Point (San Luis County Park operated by Brazoria County) are within two hours.

Facilities: Facilities include screened shelters; campsites with water and electricity (premium sites are available); campsites with water and electricity in a group trailer area with a pavilion; restrooms with showers; outdoor showers; picnic sites; a fish-cleaning shelter; an interpretive center; a self-guiding nature/interpretive trail; a Texas State Park Store.; 4 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain bike riding; a .25-mile nature/interpretive trail; and a two-lane, concrete boat ramp located at Pirates Cove adjacent to the park.

Park & Facility Fees
Facility & Trail map (PDF 147 KB)

Flora/Fauna: Wading and shore birds, mottled and mallard ducks, raccoons, armadillos, and marsh rabbits can be found in the park for observation and photography. Beach or surf fishing for spotted seatrout, sandtrout, redfish, black drum, croaker, and flounder are also available.

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Elevation: 1 Ft. above sea level.
Weather: January average is 46.2, July average is 85.9. First/last freeze: November 20/March 11.

National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Schedule: Open: 7 days a week year-round, except for hurricane watch/warnings. Busy Season: March through October, especially weekends.

Directions: The park can be reached from Interstate 45 by exiting right onto 61st Street and traveling south on 61st Street to its intersection with Seawall Boulevard and then right (west) on Seawall (FM 3005) 10 miles to the park entrance.

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.