| History: Goose Island State Park, 321.4 acres, surrounded by the St. Charles & Aransas Bays, is located north of Rockport in Aransas County. The park was acquired in 1931-1935 by deeds from private owners & Legislative Act setting aside the state-owned Goose Island as a state park. The earliest park facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930s.
The "Big Tree" is one of the largest Coastal Live Oaks in the nation.
The "Big Tree," named State Champion Coastal Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) in 1969, is thought to be one of the largest in the nation. Estimated to be over 1000 years old, the "Big Tree" has a circumference of 35 feet, is 44 feet in height & has a crown spread of 90 feet.
Link to more information on the "Big Tree".
Rockport/Fulton Natural History
Activities: Although located on Aransas Bay, there is no swimming area at this park. The shoreline is comprised of concrete bulkhead, oyster shell, mud flat, & marsh grass. The main recreational activities are camping, fishing, & excellent birding. Other activities include picnicking, boating (motors allowed), nature study, wildlife observation, & photography.
Birds of Goose Island - Checklist
Tours: Spring migration guided bird tours are held from February through April of each year.
Facilities: Facilities include shade shelter campsites ("open cabanas") with H2O & electricity, located on the island near the bay; campsites with H2O & electricity in a heavily, tree-shaded area; campsites with H2O in the shady area; a group area; picnic sites (some with shade shelters); restrooms with & without showers; a snack bar within two miles; a fish-cleaning shade shelter; a double-lane boat ramp; a 1620-foot, lighted fishing pier with two fish-cleaning tables; a group recreation hall with tables & chairs (no kitchen - capacity 50); playground areas; & a Texas State Park Store.
Directions: The park is located ten miles northeast of Rockport on State Highway 35 to Park Road 13, then two miles east to park entrance.
Elevation, Weather, & Schedule Information: Elevation: 20 Weather: July average high 92, January average low 45, prevailing southeast breeze, humid; August, September, & October are wettest months; first/last freeze: December 16/February 7. Open: seven days a week year-round. Busy Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day; October through Thanksgiving & January through April.
Area Attractions: Located directly across St. Charles Bay from the park are the wintering grounds for rare & endangered whooping cranes in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Also nearby are the Copano Bay State Fishing Pier, Mustang Island State Park, Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, Texas Maritime Museum, & the Texas State Aquarium in the City of Corpus Christi. For more information on the Rockport-Fulton area, call the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-242-0071 or visit their web site at www.rockport-fulton.org |
Goose Island State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
28.060191, -97.035536
|
Campground: Goose Island State Park in Rockport Texas *