Crystal Beach, Texas

We've been down in both our truck camper and our 5th wheel. Crystal Beach is a great place to boondock. We also go further up the beach to High Island, its not as pretty but we like to fish there and hopefully one day we'll put our kayaks in. We'll be there the weekend of October 5, 2013.

I have one suggestion. When I was in the Coast Guard in Port Aransas I use to laugh at the tourist that had the big ideal to wash there vehicles with the Gulf water. Saw a guy cleaning his brand new semi. I could not take it I walk up to him told him nice rig. His chest puff out and said thanks. I ask him where he was from he stated UP of Michigan, I said cool I stood there for a min and told him you know that is SALT WATER you are cleaning you brand new rig with. It took about 10 sec to sink in. $HIT where the nearest car wash. Funny thing he never came back to the beach that day. Have a great time on the beach. ART

I live in Dallas and I'm on some part of the coast at least once a month. The Crystal Beach and Bolivar area is very hard packed. Aleast more so than farther south like North Padre. Shouldnt have any problem at all. I've seen many Motorhomes and Toy Haulers driving and camping on the beach there. Be sure and get a beach permit. I'll there the first weekend in November camping in my Apex 8. Have a good trip and enjoy.

Hey darsben, I went down there this past sunday. Took the free ferry over from the mainland. There's basically one road that runs parallel to the shorline, about half a mile from it, with numerous side streets leading from it to the shore where the sand starts.
I have to say I was amazed at how firm the beach was. I could barely leave a tire track and there were several vehicles driving up and down, all very politely, at about 15 mph.
There's no doubt that you can take a truck/camper on the beach, and probably would not even need 4wd.
On the other hand, I did see one huge Class A motorhome, with, if you can believe it, a towed vehicle, and it was stuck big time, right at the waters edge.
I don't know if he was foolish enough to drive along the edge, or if he was just parked and ignored the rising tide, but he was really stuck, with water about 6 inches deep fully surrounding the coach. Had to have a heavy duty wrecker pull him out.
If he had stayed further away from the shore, I think he would have been fine

The beach itself is not very wide, and I'd suggest you keep an eye on the tide because it looks to me like the water will come nearly up to the dunes.
One other note, there seems to be more homes and stuff towards the center of the beach, and less homes at either end, with large sections very isolated.

Good luck, and if you make it down, send some pics.

anthony

gitpicker2009

If you find out anything please share it to save me some recon work when I arrive in November.

Thanks

thanks sparky, I"m going to take a little recon trip today, without the camper, just to get a feel.

During our 6 week trip around the country to visit kids and grandkids we camped on Crystal Beach areas for a week back in April and found no problems driving on the sand. Beaches were hard packed and although I traveled in 4WD it wasn't really needed. We found the solitude and beauty to be very refreshing and Texas has done a good job keeping it cleaned up. The few people we met were very friendly and helpful.

I am wondering the same things but for my motorhome. I have found out that a beach parking permit is needed.