Mustang Island State Park
Five miles of undeveloped Gulf coast just south of Cinnamon Shore. Drive-up and primitive camping, a 20-mile paddling trail in the bay, surf fishing, and miles of empty beach. About 10 minutes from Beached Inn.
Mustang Island State Park preserves the south end of Mustang Island as a slice of how the entire Texas coast once looked: dunes, low brush, and a long line of empty beach. From Cinnamon Shore it's a 10-minute drive south on TX-361. The park is open 24/7 with a small day-use fee, and it's the easiest way to get a true wild-coast feel without leaving Port Aransas behind.
What it is
Mustang Island State Park is a 3,950-acre Texas Parks & Wildlife site protecting roughly five miles of Gulf shoreline, the dunes behind it, and a stretch of Corpus Christi Bay on the back side of the island. There are no condos, no shops, no boardwalks — just beach, dune grass, and the road in.
The park is open 24 hours a day. The headquarters and main beach access are at Mile 13 of TX-361, about 10 minutes south of Cinnamon Shore.
What to do
The park's character is intentionally low-key. Most visitors come for the empty beach, the surf fishing, and the night sky. Other ways to use it:
- Surf fishing — the park is a popular spot for redfish, speckled trout, and small sharks. Texas saltwater license required.
- Mustang Island Paddling Trail — a 20-mile loop in the bay with five color-coded routes from short to all-day.
- Birding — the dune flats and back-island marsh are productive for shorebirds, herons, and migratory species.
- Primitive walk-in camping for a real wild-coast night, plus drive-up sites with hookups closer to the road.
- Dark-sky stargazing — far enough from town lights that the Milky Way is visible on clear nights.
Camping
The park has two main camping areas: drive-up sites with water and electric hookups inland from the beach, and primitive walk-in sites closer to the dunes. Reserve through the Texas State Parks reservation system at texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com — sites book up months in advance for spring break, summer weekends, and holiday weekends.
Practical info
Day-use fee is $5 per adult, free for children under 13 and Texas State Parks Pass holders. There's a self-serve fee station if the headquarters office is closed. Restrooms and showers are at the main day-use area; primitive camping areas have minimal facilities. Bring water, sun protection, and bug spray (especially at dawn and dusk).
How to get there from Cinnamon Shore
Drive south on TX-361 for about 6 miles. The park entrance is well signed at Mile 13. There's no through-fee for driving past — only for entering the park itself.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mustang Island State Park from Cinnamon Shore?
About 10 minutes by car. Drive south on TX-361 from Cinnamon Shore for roughly six miles; the park entrance is signed at Mile 13.
How much does it cost to enter Mustang Island State Park?
Day-use is $5 per adult. Children under 13 are free, and Texas State Parks Pass holders enter at no additional charge. There's a self-pay station at the entrance when headquarters is closed.
Can you drive on the beach at Mustang Island State Park?
Yes. The state park's beach is part of Texas's drive-on beach corridor — same as the rest of Mustang and Padre Islands. Drive only on the marked sand strip between the dunes and the water, and slow down for foot traffic. A standard 2WD vehicle handles it in most conditions; soft sand after rain is harder.
Is the camping at Mustang Island State Park good for families?
Yes — the drive-up campsites near the headquarters have water and electric hookups, restrooms, and showers, and the beach is a short walk away. Primitive walk-in sites are a better fit for experienced campers wanting a quieter night closer to the dunes.
Do I need a fishing license to fish at the park?
Yes. Texas requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 17 or older fishing in coastal waters. Day, year, and short-term licenses are available online from Texas Parks & Wildlife and at most Port Aransas tackle shops.
Are dogs allowed at Mustang Island State Park?
Yes, on a leash no longer than six feet. Owners are required to clean up after their pets. Dogs are not allowed inside park buildings.
What's the difference between Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore?
Both protect undeveloped Texas barrier-island coast, but Mustang Island State Park is smaller (~5 miles of beach, ~10 minutes from Cinnamon Shore) and more accessible — paved access, drive-up campsites, hookups. Padre Island National Seashore is larger (70 miles, the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world), about 45 minutes south, and gets remote fast: 4WD is recommended past Mile 5. See our Padre Island National Seashore guide for details.
Stay at Beached Inn at Cinnamon Shore
3-bedroom luxury vacation rental in Cinnamon Shore, Port Aransas — pool, boardwalk to the beach, walk to the village.
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