Last weekend was Josh's birthday, and even though we wanted to check out some local sights, it was too cold and rainy to do much of anything. So we pushed our plans to today. It's still cold and a bit windy, but we needed to escape our camper for a bit and enjoy the outdoors. So we're off to Goose Island State Park and Port Aransas!
Goose Island State Park
- Location: Rockport, Texas
- Geography: Located on the southern tip of Lamar Peninsula and the island south, between St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay
- Activities: Camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, geocaching, boating, birdwatching
- Website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island
Both visitor centers in Rockport and Aransas Pass suggested we check out Goose Island State Park. Since the weather was more cooperative (though still a bit cold and windy), we made it our first stop during Josh's birthday celebration.
St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay
We started by just driving around the park to get a feel for the land. After exploring via our truck, we drove to the southeast point of the island, where St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay meet. There was a notable fishing pier stretching 1,620 feet out into Aransas Bay.
Josh and I chose to walk along the shoreline for a bit, but it was no sandy beach. It was quite uneven, full of oyster shells and marsh grass, leaving a rather unpleasant smell. Between that and the frequent cold gusts of wind, we decided to head to the mainland part of the park to check out a hiking trail.
Turk's Cap Trail
- Distance: 1.1 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Parking: Lot at start of trail
- Note: Pets must be leashed.
The trail was a nice change of scenery. The wind was far less severe than when we were out on the water. The path was easy and dotted with nature signs labeling the plants along the way. The best part was how the trees and bushes formed a canopy over most of the trail, making it feel like wandering through a secret garden.
The park is known for whooping cranes in the winter, which we weren't fortunate enough to spot during our hike. But there were a great number of other birds to observe, serenading us for most of the walk. There were even a couple of dedicated bird viewing areas, where you could sit, slow down, and lose yourself in the show.
The Big Tree
- Trunk circumference: 35 feet 1.75 inches
- Average trunk diameter: 11 feet 2.25 inches
- Crown spread: 89 feet
- Height: 44 feet
- Age: centuries old
You can't visit Goose Island State Park without stopping by the Big Tree. This coastal live oak has been standing here for centuries, and it shows. We're talking 44 feet tall, with branches that stretch nearly 90 feet wide. And that trunk? Over 35 feet around. You'd need more than seven people just to wrap your arms around it.
Nobody knows exactly how old it is, but honestly? That mystery makes it even more magical.
While you can't climb or touch the Big Tree itself, right nearby there's some gorgeous trees, where you can get up close, climb those massive branches, and snap some epic photos.
Port Aransas
- Drivable: Yes
- Parking: Parking permit required, available at most gas stations and souvenir shops
- Pet Friendly: Yes, but must be leashed
- Website: https://www.portaransas.org/beach/
- Travel Note: There are two main ways to get into Port Aransas -- from the south side of the island via State Highway 361 or across the ferry from the north. The Port Aransas Ferry System, operated by the Texas Department of Transportation, provides free transportation seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Port Aransas is one of the beaches you can drive on, so we wanted to take full advantage of that. With it being so cold, we drove right up to the shoreline and parked our truck. We took our time barely wading, careful not to let our feet or pants get wet.
After enjoying the sand and water for a bit, we settled in to watch the shore from the comfort of our truck. We stayed until the sun was almost completely set before heading back, wanting to make the ferry before dark.
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