Galveston beach camping (Moody: condo, how much, hotel)

[TX transplant]

We would like to go beach camping this weekend but wanted a change from Port A. Is there any camping allowed on Galveston beaches? Another concern is how much has the area recovered from hurricane Ike? Will we be able to see much of the sights and of the area?

Thanks!!!

[texasurfer]

I can only speak for the east half of the island.. it is up and running just fine. the only thing you will notice is the giant hole in the flagship hotel. Check out Benno's restaraunt on seawall blvd. while your there, you cant beat a good cajun meal and a beer after a day on the beach.

check this website for camping info Galveston Island Beach Patrol

[westres1]

I do not think the State Park is open yet. Check their website.
Strand,Moody and Schlitterbaun are all up and running.

[lonestarwvu]

The state park has limited access and no camping. I don’t know of any other options to camp on the beach in Galveston, but someone else might. You may be able to camp somewhere on Follets Island (right across from Galveston). Surfside allows camping with the purchase of a pass that costs like seven dollars. There seemed to be a lot less beach since Ike when I was there in February, but things may have changed. I have been to Galveston a few times since the Hurricane and most everything is up and running. I was out on Bolivar in late March and it was still in pretty bad shape.

[TX transplant]

Thanks for the suggestions, All. The State Park' site does indeed indicate overnight camping isn't allowed yet. I read many people have camped at San Luis Pass which is not necessarily a campsite but no one seems to chase them away as long as they keep to themselves. Would you know if this is still the case?

[desertsun41]

The Gaveston State Park site has not been updated. Camping is indeed open right now but only about half the sites on the north side are open. The remaining sites should be open in a month or less. I also believe the toll booth is open despite what the web site says.

As for beach camping I never heard of anyone getting in any trouble for it but the pigs are getting more aggressive lately. The beach on the far east end called Ra Apffel Park was used by campers who lost their homes from the storm but I am certian they have been chased away since the toll booth opened back up. That beach has been fully restored with sand.

If you set up tents at the far east end off Boddecker Rd I dont think anyone will bother you back there but I would struggle with leaving my car all alone out there. Maybe park at the Beachtown Idea House which will be very safe and walk the short distance. In fact Beachtown has 2 private parking lots which are free and the pigs nor do other criminals ever go in there to harm your vehicle. There is plenty of empty beaches right there that only locals know about. AND THEY ARE FREE!

I dont think I would suggest pitching a tent anywhere along the seawall. But west of Sea Scape Resort there are many small side streets that are basicly public beach parking. Some of the larger ones had a toll booth before they were blown away.

And to answer your other question, like some one said, other then the Flagship there is almost no visable damage left from IKE unless you drive some back streets and see the many FEMA trailers. All the beaches from Broadway to 81st have been restored, some made larger then they were before IKE. South of 81st is getting new dunes made of giant stockings filled with sand which are about 10' high with dune plants planted around them. If you are in the mood to drive more and explore, once going west and Seawall turns into St Luis Pass you may even find much less populated areas where you would feel safer but I am not as familiar with west of Galveston.

Right now the giant seaweed has washed up big time which made quite the mess but I am told that will all be removed before the holiday weekend.

If you need places to eat let me know. Some of the best ones are off the beaten path and hidden from the tourists.

[buky]

desertsun41, I could use a few suggestions about places to eat. My wife and I will be there this weekend and I am not a big fan of touristy restaurants. The lesser known places are usually more fun and have better food.

[TheCleaningLady]

I went to Galveston a few months ago. My father from out of town wanted to see what happened, and try out the local seafood. We stopped at this seafood joint right across from the hotel with a hole in it and sat out on the deck. Big mistake. We watched patrons actually hit birds with twisted up napkins, and defend themselves throughout their meal. We should have moved indoors at that point but the weather was just too nice. The most surprising part about the evening was when the waiter brought the food out and was literally attacked by 5 birds all at once. We watched as these birds stepped in our food and pecked at it. The waiter, well, she couldn't do anything because she was holding a huge tray. Then she totally asked us if she we wanted her to go and get new dishes made. Well, Maam... we could just leave. Also while we were there many people got "dumped" on by these birds and forced to run to the bathrooms to clean off. I'm not just dogging on this one seafood joint. This probably happens all the time....so I'm just saying...eat indoors if you don't want to wait longer than you should or if you don't feel like fighting off an army of hunger crap-filled birds.

[htxdrone]

Well, I realize the post is a bit late for your needs, but here goes.

Yes, you can camp freely on the west end of the island at the San Luis Pass. I've been camping/fishing there for years. You can camp freely on both sides of the pass (costs $2 to go over the toll bridge, it should be charging again by now).

You would need to go all the way to the toll bridge to access this part of the beach, as everything up and to there has been blocked off to vehicle travel by recent condo builds. You can enter the beach on vehicle well before the bridge, but the access between that section and the pass is usually marked with "no vehicles" posts.

Anyhow, expect plenty of company in good weather, camp anywhere you like, expect noise and generators if you're camping along the pass its self -- from overnight fisherman. If it has not rained in a while, be prepared for soft and deep sand, and expect to extract yourself if you're not experienced in driving in the stuff.

The Follet's island side (across the toll-bridge) is generally less crowded, but in poorer shape than the Galveston side. You do not need to pay to camp on this side, until you get several miles down Follet's Island into Surfside proper.