Galveston Island State Park is a stunning 2,013.1–acre state park located on the western side of Galveston Island, Texas.
Established in 1975, it is adjacent to the city of Galveston and provides visitors with a unique and beautiful sanctuary that has a little something for everyone.
The park includes dunes, estuaries, wetlands, brackish ponds, and beaches, and its habitats include surf, beach, dunes, coastal prairie, fresh–water ponds, wetlands, bayous, and bay shoreline.
For those who love nature and outdoor activities, the park also features numerous trails for scenery and wildlife viewing.
Additionally, the park has a public campground, giving visitors the opportunity to stay for a few days and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the park.
Galveston Island State Park is the perfect place for a memorable vacation or day trip and is sure to provide visitors with a unique and unforgettable experience.
Galveston Island State Park History
Galveston Island State Park has a long and storied history, having been formed around 5,000 years ago.
American Indians made the island home around 2,000 years ago, and the Spanish began exploring the area in the 16th century, initiating European interaction with the indigenous peoples.
The notorious LaFitte brothers established a “government“ on the island in 1817. Major storms in 1867, 1871, 1875, and 1886 set back the progress of Galveston Island, but none of these compared to the devastation that was wrought by the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, which is estimated to have killed between 5,000 and 10,000 people.
The impact of this tragedy spurred the construction of the seawall, which still stands today. In the late 1960s, Maco Stewart Jr. owned 2,000 acres of the island, and specified in his will that it should be given to the state of Texas upon his death.
The state park was opened to the public in 1975, though Tropical Storm Frances destroyed many of the sand dunes in 1998.
The park was closed due to damage from Hurricane Ike in 2008, but reopened in 2009.
The park is now a popular destination for visitors, who come for camping, beachcombing, bird watching, fishing, and more.
Galveston Island State Park Information
Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 7am–10pm |
| Wednesday | 7am–10pm |
| Thursday | 7am–10pm |
| Friday | 7am–10pm |
| Saturday | 7am–10pm |
| Sunday | 7am–10pm |
| Monday | 7am–10pm |
Address
Address: 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554, United States
Contact
Phone: +1 409-737-1222
