Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park is known for being the home of “The Big Tree,” one of the largest Live Oak Trees in America. The park is located right on the Gulf Coast and was built by the CCC in the 1930’s. The park is located on both the island and the mainland.

Goose Island State Park is along important bird migration routes, and is a popular location for birders.

A brown sign in the trees that says Goose Island State Park.
Entrance to Goose Island State Park.

Location

202 S. Palmetto Street, Rockport, Texas 78382

The park headquarters at Goose Island State Park.
Park Headquarters at Goose Island State Park.

Cost

The entry fee for Goose Island State Park is $5 per person over the age of 13. There is free admission for people ages 12 and under. 

There are additional fees for overnight stays which vary depending on the type of lodging or campsite.

To save money when visiting Goose Island State Park, I recommend looking at a Texas State Parks Pass. The pass costs $70 a year. The benefit of the pass is that it allows the pass holder, and any passengers in their vehicle to enter the park without paying the day use fee. 

Reservations

Reservations can be made in advance online. Reservations can be made for campsites or for day use. Reservations should be made as soon as you know your plans. 

This is a popular park that often reaches capacity, even for day use. If you do not have a reservation you may be turned away at the gate. 

Staying at Goose Island State Park

Campsites

Campsites with water are $10 per night. The sites only allow tents, and vehicles are parked a moderate distance away. There are oak trees around the campsites. The campsites have a picnic table, fire ring, grill, water, and lantern post. 

Campsites with electricity are $20 per night. They have oak trees, a picnic table, a fire ring, a grill and  a lantern post. The site has both water and electric hookups. There are restrooms in the vicinity. 

Bayfront campsites with electricity are $22 per night. Some of the campsites are waterfront, but others are on the other side of the street from the water. The sites have a picnic table, a shade shelter and hookups for water and electric. There are bathrooms with showers in the vicinity. 

Premium full hookup campsites are $25 – $30 per night, depending on the amps. These campsites have oak trees, a picnic table, a grill, a fire ring, and lantern post. There are hookups for water, sewer, and electric. There are bathrooms in the vicinity. 

Group Facilities

There is a dedicated camping area for youth groups. It has a parking area, water, a covered pavilion and fire rings. There are bathrooms with showers in the vicinity. 

The group hall does not have a kitchen and is only available for day use. It has water, electricity, tables, and chairs, but no electricity. 

Restrooms in Goose Island State Park

There are bathrooms provided throughout the park. Restrooms in the camping loops have showers.

Hiking Trails

There is not a lot of hiking in this park. 

Turks Cap Trail is a little over half a mile long, and is located on the mainland. 

Picture of the sign for Turks Cap Trailhead. Sign says bird viewing area approach slowly and quietly. In the background you can see a trail leading into the trees.
Turks Cap Trailhead

What is there to do at Goose Island State Park?

You can fish from the fishing pier or the shore without a fishing license. 

Swimming is not recommended. There are alligators in the park as well as concrete bulkheads and oyster shells. 

Kayaks and canoes are available to rent in the park. Life jackets and paddles are included with rental fees. 

A vending machine with lockers, a credit card reader, and kayaks stacked up.
A kayak rental station in Goose Island State Park.

Try you hand at nature photography or going birding. Armadillo, deer, and rabbits live in the park, as well as hundreds of varieties of birds. 

A clearing in the trees with bird feeders and a hummingbird feeder.
A bird watching station in the park. There are picnic tables to sit and watch the birds.
A sign with information about birding in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
Goose Island State Park is a popular destination for birders.

See the live oak trees, including the “Big Tree” which is one of the largest live oaks in the country.

A very large oak tree with a fence around it.
The big tree.
A sign with information about the big tree.
A posting with information about the big tree.

Dogs at Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park allows dogs into the park. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas of the park including on hiking trails. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, including bathrooms. 

A dog waste station located at the start of a hiking trail.
A dog waste station located at the trailhead or Turks Cap trail.

Unlike many state parks, Goose Island has dog waste stations provided in the park. There is one at the trailhead for Turks Cap Trail as well.

There are a lot of birders in the park, so be sure that you do not disrupt the birds with your dog. Also you may prefer to walk your dog on the paved roads in the park instead of on Turks Cap Trail because the trail is made from broken shells that may be too sharp for your dogs paws.

What to do near Goose Island State Park

Rockport, Texas

Rockport, Texas is ten miles from the park. It has the Texas Maritime Museum, art galleries, beaches, and historic homes. 

Corpus Christi, Texas 

Corpus Christi, Texas is 40 miles from the park. There is a beach, the Texas State Aquarium, the USS Lexington and the Selena Museum.