Matagorda Island WMA
Phone: (361) 205-1510
Contact:
Dan Walker
Dates Open:
The Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open throughout the year for camping, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing and hunting activities. To camp and to hunt duck on the WMA, visitors must have a Limited Public Use Permit (LPU) or Annual Public Hunting Lands Permit (APH). No permit is needed for day use of the WMA. To get to the WMA is by boat only, see the Matagorda Island Map and the Matagorda Island WMA Headquarters Complex Map. The Sunday Beach area of Matagorda Island is open to the public for activities with no fees, permits or restrictions.
Description
The Matagorda Island WMA is on Matagorda Island. Matagorda Island is an offshore barrier island to the U.S. Gulf and the coast of Texas. The island is known for its seclusion and untouched natural beauty and is 38 miles long and varies in width from less than a mile to about four and a half miles. The wildlife management area is 56,688 acres of the island and marshes in Espiritu Santo Bay. The island supports a wide variety of migratory birds, 19 species that are listed as threatened or endangered of becoming extinct, a large herd of white-tailed deer, alligators and more wildlife. A lighthouse dating from 1852 still stands at the north end of the island.
The Texas General Land Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service jointly own the property and cooperatively manage the wildlife management area as the Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and Wildlife Management Area. The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the wildlife and habitat on the property. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department runs the public use activities on the WMA including fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, biking, wildlife watching and historical interpretation tours.
Terrain & ADA Access
On the Espiritu Santo Bay side of Matagorda Island WMA near the Check Station and campground, there are two accessible restrooms. The restrooms are open for use when hunts are conducted and generators are running. The campground is unimproved and may be muddy depending on weather conditions.
- By boat is the only way to get to Matagorda Island WMA.
- There is no electricity, concession or drinking water on the WMA. Visitors must bring all necessary supplies with them.
- No personal motorized vehicles are allowed on the WMA. Visitors can hike and bike on the WMA during daylight hours only. Biking, hiking and wildlife viewing activities are not allowed while public hunts are in progress. During scheduled hunts or tours, TPWD vehicles are used.
- Special Note: The Sunday Beach area of Matagorda Island is always open to visitors for camping, beach combing, fishing and bird watching activities. Access to Sunday Beach is by boat from either the U.S. Gulf or Cavallo Pass. There are no fees, permits or restrictions to for the public to use Sunday Beach.