Galveston Island State Park has undergone significant renovations over the past few years, incorporating a comprehensive range of amenities available to park visitors.
If you live on Galveston Island and haven’t been in a while, you may be surprised at the complete offerings now available daily. If you visit the island, you will find abundant activities for the entire family.
The campgrounds have been updated, and there are many trails for hiking, biking, and paddling. The new restrooms include outdoor showers. The visitor's center has ample parking and a small gift shop.
Residents and tourists are encouraged to visit this beautiful attraction to experience Galveston Island and learn about the island's history and the park.
“The beach is our backyard,” Galveston Island State Park Superintendent Kyle O'Haver said. “People should explore where they live, especially given the island's rich history.”
The park's land was originally privately owned but transferred to the state in 1969. It was established as a state park in 1975 and spans just over 2,000 acres.
The State Park preserves the largest remaining tract of undeveloped land on Galveston Island, featuring a range of ecosystems like beaches, wetlands, coastal prairies, and bayous.
The park now has a variety of recreational services and programs available at affordable prices. They offer approximately 30 monthly programs with various fun activities where families, groups and schools can engage with nature.
These include beach walks, fishing, geocaching, bay exploration, hikes, and teaching opportunities. All events are free with paid entry, which is just five dollars per person for a full day of access.
With both beach and bay sides, the park offers activities for every coast lover, whether they live here or are just visiting the island.
At Galveston Island State Park, adventure and relaxation go hand in hand. Take a refreshing swim in the Gulf waters, cast a line in the bay or freshwater ponds, and enjoy a seaside picnic with stunning Gulf or coastal views.
Birdwatchers can spot migrating shorebirds, while hikers and mountain bikers can explore four miles of scenic trails winding throughout the park. Visitors can paddle through serene waterways, set up camp under the stars, or embark on a geocaching treasure hunt.
Whether you're studying the rich biodiversity of the park or simply unwinding in nature, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Galveston Island State Park is unique in that it offers fishing opportunities in three different water types - the bay, beach, and freshwater - all within the same park. This makes it a standout destination for anglers looking to experience a variety of fishing environments without traveling between locations.
Visitors can access the park’s freshwater ponds for fishing via one of the hiking trails. For saltwater fishing, stop by the visitor center to learn about access points and regulations.
To preserve the natural beauty of Galveston Island State Park and ensure a peaceful shoreline experience, vehicles are prohibited on the park’s beaches. This policy helps maintain clean, undisturbed sands, making the area safer for beachgoers, wildlife, and fragile coastal ecosystems.
Visitors can enjoy a pristine environment perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, and picnicking without the disruption of traffic. The absence of vehicles also protects nesting shorebirds and marine life, allowing nature to thrive along the Gulf Coast.
Special beach wheelchairs are offered for those with disabilities, allowing them access that is unavailable on other Galveston beaches. The fat-tired wheelchairs are available at the beachside visitor’s center.
Over the last 20 years, the State Park has faced significant economic and physical challenges. Hurricane Ike devastated the island in 2008, forcing the park’s closure and requiring a complete rebuild of most facilities.
More recently, the deep freeze of February 2021 caused widespread pipe damage, leading to additional restorations and reconstruction efforts.
Galveston Island State Park has taken significant steps to preserve its rich history, including maintaining the iconic entrance sign that has welcomed visitors for decades. Designed in the 1970s and installed shortly after the park’s opening, the sign was created to symbolize “the sun setting on the dunes,” as stated by O’Haver.
According to O’Haver, the park’s original shape and layout have remained largely unchanged, preserving its historical integrity and reminding visitors of its early design. The park’s architecture is built with resilience in mind, allowing facilities to recover quickly from environmental damage.
Given Galveston Island’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, O’Haver explains that they have developed strategies to adapt, swiftly restoring facilities and the surrounding landscape after severe weather events.
In 2024, Galveston Island State Park faced extreme weather challenges, including Hurricane Beryl, Tropical Storm Alberto, a deep freeze, and two flood events. Despite these hardships, the park was closed for only 28 days, making it the fastest state park to recover from such events.
O’Haver moved to Galveston 17 years ago after living in the Rio Grande area and has worked at the park for the past seven years, officially becoming superintendent in 2024.
He started his career in Missouri, interning at state parks and working in seasonal positions, growing his love for this work. He earned a park recreation and tourism management degree from the University of Missouri.
O’Haver worked on the park remodel after Hurricane Ike severely damaged it in 2008. “It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of this community and to build a new park, essentially.”
The Ike remodel included a completely new beachside renovation, new paved roads, improvements to campsites, and other renovations to the bayside of the park.
"I would not be in this community without this state park; it is what I came here to do,” O’Haver said.
Galveston Island State Park is driven by a mission to unite the community through stewardship and conservation. Regina Lillibridge, an Interpretation Park Ranger and volunteer coordinator, plays a key role in fostering this connection.
“We want visitors to feel that this is a place worth preserving and protecting, especially in times of hardship,” Lillibridge said. “Our goal is to provide meaningful access to recreational activities that enhance the Galveston experience.”
Before working at the Galveston Island State Park, Lillibridge worked in municipal parks in New Braunfels. She then transferred to state parks, specifically Big Bend State Park in west Texas, where she had the same role as at Galveston Island State Park.
Calling the park staff dedicated is an understatement. Their commitment goes beyond typical work hours, with many beginning their day at 6am and often staying overnight when needed.
According to Lillibridge, their devotion extends beyond a job - it’s a way of life, focused on preserving the park’s natural beauty and protecting its wildlife.
O'Haver is on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He and his family live on the premises full-time to deal with unforeseen events and safeguard the grounds.
He encourages visitors to see the park for themselves. “I think they will be surprised at the upgrades and will visit more often once they realize all the amenities we have now.”
An annual Texas State Parks Pass costs $70 and is issued to one person. You can buy a second pass for someone who lives at the same address as you for $25.
The Texas State Parks Pass is good for one year and includes unlimited free entry to 88 state parks for you and those in your vehicle (pass holder must be present to get free entry). It also includes discounts such as for camping and park store purchases.
For a full list of amenities or to reserve a campsite, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website at www.tpwd.texas.gov and navigate to the Galveston Island State Park section. Local visitors can also stop by the park’s nature center to learn more about available programs and explore everything the park has to offer.