Take a break from winter and get some much-needed sunshine with our Gulf Coast Road Trip. This curated route takes you along the Florida panhandle, with a stop on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and three parks along the expansive Texas Gulf Coast. Our first stop is about 2 hours from Tampa or Tallahassee. The final stop is just a half hour’s drive east from Corpus Christi. Of course, you can do the trip in reverse or jump in somewhere in the middle. Each spot is a 3-5 hours’ drive from the next, so you are maximizing time spent camping and sunning on the beach.
Recommended: Mountain States Road Trip
1. Tidewater Campground Goethe State Forest, Florida
- 2.5-hour drive southeast of Tallahassee, or 2 hours’ drive north of Tampa
Located in the southern portion of the Florida panhandle, Goethe State Forest is a nature lover’s paradise with over 53,000 acres of woodlands and swamps. Old growth longleaf pines dot the forest, which is home to many rare animals like the Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, gopher frog, woodpeckers, and striped newts. The forest also has an exceptional concentration of orchids. The Tidewater Campground is very private with only 5 campsites. Park visitors can go hiking, horseback riding, hunting, picnicking, and bird watching in the vast reserve.
2. Eastern Lake Campground 1 Point Washington State Forest, Florida
- 4.5-hour drive from Goethe State Forest
This state forest is widely used for hunting as well as mountain biking and hiking along the trail system comprising three double-track loop trails. Other recreational activities include fishing, picnicking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing in this biologically-rich forest that’s part of the Florida Scenic Trail and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The campground is just a short walk to Gulf beaches, restaurants, and shops.
Recommended: Warm Places to Camp in Winter
3. Buccaneer State Park, Mississippi
- 4-hour drive from Point Washington State Park
Located on the beach in Waveland, Buccaneer State Park combines moss-draped oaks and marshlands with the long white sands of the Gulf of Mexico. The land has a long and storied history going back to the late 1700s when French Buccaneer Jean Lafitte and his followers were active in smuggling and pirating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The park site, also known as Jackson’s Ridge, was used as a base for military operations by Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson later returned to this area and built a house on park lands. The park features a nature trail, a frisbee disc golf course, and bathhouses throughout the campgrounds. There are 272 campsites including seventy beach camping sites.
4. Sea Rim State Park, Texas
- 5-hour drive from Buccaneer State Park
At the southeast corner of Texas lies the remote coastal park, Sea Rim State Park. The park encompasses over 5 miles of gorgeous Gulf shoreline and 4,000 acres of marshlands. Visitors can walk along the picturesque beach and spot plenty of birds, or go crabbing or fresh or saltwater fishing. Rent a kayak, or hike the park trails, including stepping along marshland boardwalks. There are 17 campsites, including a serene waterfront cabin.
5. Matagorda Bay Nature Park, Texas
- 3-hour drive from Sea Rim State Park
Matagorda Bay Nature Park is a beautiful beach retreat with a wide range of recreational activities. Spot local wildlife, play a round of putt-putt, kayak the wetlands, or join a guided nature walk. There’s also plenty of fishing and boating to be had in this unique setting where the Colorado River meets the Gulf. There are 60 campsites, including two Airstream rentals.
Recommended: Preparing for Spring Camping
6. Mustang Island State Park, Texas
- 3-hour drive from Matagorda Bay Nature Park
Located just a half-hour drive from Corpus Christi, Mustang Island State Park is made up of more than five miles of the Gulf coastline. Relax on a sunny beach, fish in the bay, or explore a nearby unspoiled barrier island – there’s plenty to do on Mustang Island. For the adventurous, there’s also the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail. The three segments of the trail follow the western shoreline of an island in Corpus Christi Bay and pass through some of the best shallow-water fishing areas in the state. There are 47 campsites right on the beach.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.