Goose Island State Park is located at 202 South Palmetto Street in Rockport, Texas. The park is almost 322 acres and surrounded by the Aransas and St. Charles Bays in Aransas County just north of the city of Rockport. The deeds of private owners and an act of legislature setting aside Goose Island which is owned by the state as a state park is how the park came into existence from 1931 to 1935. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the first facilities for the park during the 1930's.
Goose Island State Park is also home to what is believed to be the biggest tree in the country. The "Big Tree'' as it is called is thought to be over a thousand years old with a circumference measuring thirty-five feet. The tree is forty-four feet tall with a ninety foot spread at the top.
There is not an area for swimming at the park even though it is on the Aransas Bay. Marsh grass, oyster shell, mud flat and concrete bulkhead make up the shoreline of the park. Camping, fishing and birding are included in the recreational activities at the park. Visitors to the park can get tackle on loan from the park through the Loan a Tackle Program of which the Goose Island State Park is a participant in.
Goose Island State Park is open all year long, seven days a week from seven in the morning to ten at night for day use. Those from the age of thirteen and older pay five dollars each person, each day for admittance to the park. The cost of staying overnight is $3 each day for those aged thirteen and over. A restricted annual pass can be purchased for $125. The park has guided nature hikes all year and during the months of January through April there guided tours for birding for the enjoyment of visitors to the Goose Island State Park.
Each week there are interpretive programs held at the park. There are also private programs that can be held at the park on request. There are shade shelter campsites known as open cabanas at the Goose Island State Park. These sites located in a shaded area have electricity and water for the convenience of campers. There are also picnic sites, a group area and restrooms both with and without showers. There is a place to get snacks within two miles from the shelter and a fish cleaning shade shelter.
Goose Island State Park offers at 1620 foot pier that is lighted for fishing that provides two tables for cleaning the fish that you catch. Tables and chairs are provided in the group recreation hall although there is no kitchen in the facility. The facility can accommodate up to fifty people. Additional information about the fees charged, group accommodations and facilities available at the park can be gotten by contacting the Texas State Parks directly.
The Goose Island State Park offers something for everyone is somewhere you should definitely stop if you are ever in Rockport, Texas. It's an amazing place to spend the day or even a few days camping out.
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