Hello, I am looking for info on this area. A small group of us is looking to camp on the beach. We usually go to Galvestion Island State Park but would like to be on the beach so decided on Mustang island. We have kayaks and fish for Reds and Trout. We also do the whole land based shark fishing thing although we are not very succefull at that! Is the beach there ok to drive on? Any info you can provide for that area or suggestions are needed!!! Thanks!

You need to pick up a permit at a stripes, the driving is usually nice they clear the beach often...

stripes?

Ya its a local gas station / convenient store

Mustang Island state park I have caught reds off the beach there this time of year

any suggestions for camping on the beach? I have never done that.

The park is on the beach has water elec showers you can always hit pins

I think if you stay within Mustang Island State Park you dont need a beach permit .. or even a fishing license for that matter ..but yeah ..if you go anywhere else you need a beach parking permit that only covers that county for beach parking .. or at least if my memory serves correct ..
as for driving on the beach .. i have done it many times with a mini van loaded down and have never had any problems (i don't try this where there isn't constant traffic) ..at Mustang Island SP ..right when you leave the pavement the sand gets real soft so don't stop or slow down but its just about 10 feet or so of soft sand before it gets hard enough to drive on ..also what I've come to understand is when the weather has been dry the beach gets real soft .. so with the recent rains and rains anticipated this weekend the beach should be fine ... good luck and be safe

Great info thanks! Can you build a fire on the beach?

Yes ... in Mustang Island SP you can build a fire on the beach .. only in extream drought conditions do they ever ban fire on the beach ..but it is always best to call or check with local fire marshals ... as for camping on the beach i suggest some kind of cover for breaks from the sun .. we always take a large tarp with poles and tie it down for a nice shaded area .. also if you set up a tent i suggest to set it up as close to the high tide line as possible ..the higher up on the beach you go the more "blow sand" you will get ... and on Mustang Island SP .. if you plan to do lots of fishing i would suggest to go as far down as you can ..we go to the end where the wood road post mark the end of the state park .. the closer you stay to the enterance the more people there are .. especially if you come early morning you think your away from anyone then by mid day the beach if packed side by side with swimmers, kids, and pets ... there are "showers" on the beach (a shower head on a post with a water spigot about 2 ft. from bottom) and porto potties spaced thru out the beach ... a hot and private bath house by the RV area close to the entrance of the park .... I've been to this park 100's of times over my 44 years .. and i go at least once a year if not more ...

AWESOME THANKS BOWSTALKER.

I would suggest going to the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) Get away from the rest of humanity if you can and have a lot of fun!!!!!!!