Quintana Beach, Quintana, TX. Quintana Beach is a 52-acre beachfront located on the upper Texas gulf coast, and it includes day-use amenities and overnight facilities. The park features paved full-service RV campsites, self-contained cabins, tent camping, restrooms and showers, a meeting/party house complete with kitchen, covered pavilions, picnic tables, grills, playground, volleyball court, paved trail, pedestrian beach, wooden lighted fishing pier, access to the west jetty, and paved parking. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend there is a $5.00 parking fee collected at the entry gate to the park (May 30 - September 5, 2016). Registered overnight campers are exempt. (a little over an hour away)
Surfside Beach - Mike Cole/Flickr
Surfside Beach, Surfside, TX. Surfside has a pedestrian-only beach, as well as a beach on which vehicles are allowed. All vehicles driving on Surfside Beach must purchase a $12 annual pass and display in their windshield. The pedestrian beach is free of charge. See beach rules here. (about 1 hour away)
Bryan Beach, Freeport, TX. Bryan Beach has approximately three miles of natural beach that is regularly maintained. Camping is allowed, as well as grilling. It's also good for off-shore fishing and looking for seashells. (about 1 hour away)
Sylvan Beach, LaPorte, TX. Sylvan Beach Park is a 31.4 acre park located just east of South Highway 146 in La Porte. Along with conventional park amenities, Sylvan Beach features a skate park, boat ramp and a pay-to-fish pier. It also boasts white sand beaches! (about 45 minutes away)
Matagorda Bay and Beach, Matagorda, TX. Matagorda has 22 miles of beach accessible by vehicle with a $6 permit and a half mile pedestrian beach. The remaining 35 miles of beach are only accessible by boat. There are great beach house rentals for large or small groups, which are great for a family vacation or reunion. Tent camping is also allowed on Matagorda Beach. Kayak rentals and fishing are also available. (almost two hours away)
Sargent Beach, Sargent, TX. Sargent Beach is a small, natural beach in a town of 500 full-time residents. To get to Sargent Beach, visitors must cross the last remaining swing bridge in Texas. Crowds are few, so it's great for relaxing in the sun, picnicking, surfing, or fishing. (a little over an hour away)
Lighthouse Beach, Port Lavaca, TX. Lighthouse Beach features a 2200 ft. boardwalk, picnic area and playground, a white sandy beach, and much more. It is also an RV site, with 55 hookups, as well as a washer/dryer and private restroom for campers only. (about 2 hours away)
Kingfisher Beach, Port O'Connor, TX. Kingfisher Beach includes several covered picnic areas with BBQ pits. There are showers and restrooms available as well as a volleyball court and a great fishing pier. King Fisher Beach is a great place to sit back relax and enjoy the sun, collect seashells, and build sandcastles. (about 2 1/2 hours away)
Crystal Beach, Bollivar Penninsula. Accessible by ferry from Galveston, Crystal Beach is northeast on Highway 87 about 10 miles from the Ferry Landing. The Gulf front location is ideal for family vacations on Bolivar. Summer visitors can spend lazy days on the beach, look for shells, or go crabbing or fishing. (almost two hours away, including ferry ride)
Stewart Beach - Dana Smith/Flickr
Stewart Beach, Galveston TX. No list of Houston-area beaches would be complete without a beach in Galveston. Of all of the city's beaches, Stewart Beach is considered the most family friendly. Stewart Beach offers plenty of amenities for a day at the beach as well as regular supervision of highly trained lifeguards. The park is home to a playground, pavilion, concessions, restrooms, showers, chair and umbrella rentals, beach volleyball courts, and more. Alcohol is not permitted at Stewart Beach. $12/vehicle on weekdays, $15/vehicle on Saturday and Sunday, cash and card accepted. (about one hour away)
This list serves as a guide. As always, please check the beach prior to visiting to see if it's a fit for your family.
Also, check the tides for the location, as well as the latest news for the location prior to visiting.
Beach safety:
Tips for alligator sightings
General beach safety tips
All distances are approximated from SW Houston. Click the map to get distances from your home.
