MUSTANG ISLAND STATE PARK, PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS

Our Opinion: Recommend, but it’s not for everyone.

Date of Stay: February 16 through 20, 2010.

Weather During Stay:  We had it all - sun, rain, cool and warm.

Site Description:  We’re in site 15, an east-facing site with water and 50 amp E.  I specifically asked for an east facing site to catching the morning sunshine in our windshield (for warmth) and afternoon sun on the “patio” side.

The campground here has 48 level, back-in spaces, lined up down each side of a wide, paved “road”. Easy access.  All sites have 30/50 amps and water, and a wooden “shade” structure covering a wooden table.  Utilities are on poles at the back of each site.  Because of the way the sites are arranged, you have a VERY close neighbor on one side, with your table and your neighbors table on the other side.  No privacy whatsoever.  Many, many of the sites flooded during a night-long rain, with campers facing a slog through a couple inches of water to reach their vehicles.

Maintenance of park facilities and vehicles has been deferred due to budget shortfalls, and it is obvious.  Restrooms (in one building at one end of the campground) are old and in need of maintenance.  Quite unappealing.  Dump station available.

Rate: Water and 30/50 amp E sites are $16/night, plus a per person day use fee ($4/$2 senior, over age 65), covered for us by our annual pass.  Dry camp on the beach for $8 (suitable for smaller RV’s and tents only).

Phone/radio/TV: Excellent Verizon coverage. WiFi available to campers in the park office - we used our aircard. No obstacles for roof-mounted satellites, and several local channels are available on antenna.  NPR on 90.3.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain:  This sea-level campground is a short walk from a long, beautiful beach.  Dunes covered with sea grass are between the camping area and the beach - walk, bike or drive to the beach.

Lighting/Noise:  No light at night in our area of the campground, but the restroom and it’s parking area are brightly lit with streetlights - fortunately, far from us.  Very quiet.

Favorite Sites:  Very little difference between the sites, other than which direction you face.  We would be sure to park reasonably far from the restrooms to avoid the night lighting, and prefer to have our table on our door side.

Hiking/Walking:  This is where the park shines.  Stormy or sunny, walking on the beach is a treat (driving is also allowed).  Unlimited distance.

Comments: This park is suffering from budget shortfalls.  The restrooms in the day use area on the beach are unusable - and almost beyond repair.  However, the utilities work, as does the dump station.  We come to enjoy the beach and the area, and relax.  Works for us!