Mustang Island State Park, Port Aransas, TX

Mustang Island State Park in Port Aransas, Texas is on Mustang Island. The park is 3954 acres, which provides five miles of beach running along the Gulf of Mexico. The land was originally held by private owners, but in 1972 they sold the land to the state. It took seven years for the state to create a park out of it.

Mustang Island State Park has a long history with various residents. The earliest people to stay on the island were Karankawa Native Americans. They were extremely fierce and cannibals. They also relied heavily on mussels and shellfish for food. In the 19th century the first Spanish explorers arrived on the island. Karankawa tribes still existed, but they did not last long into the 19th century.

Mustang Island was first named Wild Horse Island; however, a few years later it was renamed to Mustang when Mestenos were brought by the Spaniards in the later 1800's. Despite the first settlement occurring in the 19th century, the Spanish knew of the island much earlier. Alonso Alvarez de Pineda charted the island in 1519. Captain Joaquin Orobioy Basterra even landed at the island, but he kept going.

The heritage of Mustang Island is shared with visitors to Mustang Island State Park. The existing records Texas has of the island can be found at the visitor center of the state park, where it is possible to learn about the various settlers, the Civil War times, and much more. Ranching was very important in the 1880's on some of the state park land.

Visitors to the park are able to camp, picnic, fish, swim, bike, or hike. The five miles of beach in the park are open for surfing, sunbathing, and kayaking. It is also a well known spot for bird watching during the fall and spring migrations. The state park offers tours in the visitor center to explain the ecology of the region. The tour guide takes guests around to the different ecosystems and explains the science behind it all. The campsites have water, electricity, shelters, and restrooms with showers. There are plenty of parking spaces, portable toilets, and rinsing showers for those who are not camping. Total there are 300 camping units.

At certain times of the year the beach can be affected by red tide. The state park recommends calling ahead to find out if the beach and water are open. If it is guests can come to see the natural wonders of the area. Mustang Island is a barrier island with sand dunes. The wind will deposit the sand. The birds then bring the plant seeds for vegetation. The dunes can reach up to 35 feet, though 15 to 20 feet is more the average. Hurricanes can affect the beach, the island, and the state park.

Entrance fees are $4 per day, per person for anyone 13 and older. School tours are required to make arrangements to ensure there is enough room and that the park is open.