Barstow TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Barstow, Texas.
1. El Jardin Beach
BAYTOWN'S HIDDEN GEM
El Jardin Beach is a hidden gem in Baytown offering pristine beaches and excellent amenities for visitors looking to enjoy the coast. The beach features a variety of water sports activities including jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in clear waters with favorable wind conditions. With lifeguards on duty during busy times and breathtaking sunset views across the horizon, El Jardin Beach guarantees an unforgettable experience for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike.
2. East Beach
PARTY ON THE SAND
East Beach is one of the only beaches in Texas that allows open containers of alcohol on the sand, making it a popular destination for those looking to party. Known for its concerts, festivals, and various events throughout the year, this beach offers a lively atmosphere with plenty of entertainment options. The spacious shoreline provides ample room for visitors to enjoy the Gulf waters while participating in the beach's famous social scene.
3. Port Aransas Beach
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Port Aransas Beach offers eighteen miles of expansive, white sand beaches on Mustang Island, known for being both family-friendly and a place to find a fun party. Visitors can drive vehicles with beach permits directly onto the shore and enjoy BBQs while feeling the sand beneath their toes. Beyond the beach itself, the area features a vibrant neighborhood filled with mouthwatering restaurants, hip bars, and local shops that can be explored by golf cart.
4. Mustang Island
COASTAL FISHING VILLAGE
Mustang Island features an 18-mile stretch of beaches that create the perfect destination for deep sea fishing and coastal recreation. This quaint little coastal fishing village offers visitors a balance of relaxation and adventure along the Texas Gulf Coast. The island's natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere have earned it recognition from Southern Living as one of the top beach destinations for 2025.
5. Mojave National Preserve
DESERT OASIS ADVENTURE
Mojave National Preserve preserves a diverse mosaic of ecological habitats and a 10,000-year history of human connection with the desert. The preserve offers extensive opportunities to experience unique desert landscapes and natural water features that create surprising oases in the arid environment. Visitors can explore the preserve's natural swimming holes and water formations that provide relief from the desert heat while experiencing the rich ecological diversity of this protected area.
6. Rainbow Basin Natural Area
SCENIC DESERT WATERS
Rainbow Basin Natural Area is a scenic desert landscape near Barstow offering good hiking and other outdoor activities in a unique geological setting. During rainy seasons, visitors can discover seasonal streams and water features that create temporary but beautiful waterfront experiences in the desert. The area's distinctive rock formations and occasional water elements combine to create a dramatic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both land and water adventures.
7. Galveston Island State Park
COASTAL WILDLIFE HAVEN
Galveston Island State Park offers pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico side and peaceful marshes on the bay side, creating two distinct waterfront experiences in one location. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, bird watching, and hiking along nature trails that showcase the diverse coastal ecosystem. The park's combination of beach access and protected wetland areas makes it a perfect destination for nature lovers seeking varied waterfront landscapes.
8. South Padre Island
TROPICAL TEXAS PARADISE
South Padre Island boasts some of the clearest waters and whitest sands in Texas, creating a Caribbean-like atmosphere along the Gulf Coast. The island offers numerous water activities including parasailing, jet skiing, dolphin watching, and some of the best kiteboarding conditions in the country. With its resort amenities, beachfront restaurants, and stunning sunsets over Laguna Madre Bay, South Padre Island delivers a tropical vacation experience without leaving Texas.
9. Rockport Beach
BLUE WAVE CERTIFIED
Rockport Beach is Texas' first Blue Wave Beach, a designation that recognizes environmentally managed beaches with exceptional water quality and safety. The beach features calm, shallow waters ideal for families with young children and those seeking a gentle swimming experience away from large waves. With its fishing pier, picnic areas, and walking paths along the shore, Rockport Beach offers a clean, well-maintained waterfront escape that balances recreation with environmental preservation.
10. Padre Island National Seashore
UNDEVELOPED COASTAL WILDERNESS
Padre Island National Seashore preserves the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, spanning 70 miles of pristine coastline between the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre. Visitors can experience primitive camping directly on the beach, wildlife viewing including sea turtle hatchling releases, and bird watching among the 380 species that visit this critical migratory stopover. The park's remote beaches offer a true wilderness experience where visitors can find solitude along miles of unspoiled shoreline accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles or on foot.
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