Matagorda Island WMA Public Use Links:
Wildlife Management Area
 

Matagorda Island WMA: Camping

Phone: (361) 205-1510
Matagorda Island
Offshore Port O'Connor, Texas

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.

Camping

Camping Permitted
  • Users may not camp or build a fire anywhere other than in a designated campsite.
  • Users may not cause, create, or contribute to excessive or disturbing sounds beyond the person's immediate campsite between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
  • Users may not establish a camp and leave it unattended for a period of longer than 24 hours.
  • Users must remove refuse from the area upon departing.
  • Cutting of firewood is prohibited.

 

Camping on Matagorda Island WMA

On the Espiritu Santo Bay side of the Matagorda Island WMA near the WMA Check Station and dock area, is a primitive campground that has shade shelters and fire rings. Visitors may camp overnight with an LPU or APH permit. Walk-in hunters who camp must have an APH permit. Hunters with a Special Permit for Drawn Hunts who camp, do not need an LPU or APU permit.

  • 10 camp sites are available on a first come/first served basis.
  • Campers may use driftwood for their fires.
  • The showers and toilets by the Check Station are available for campers and during public hunts and other scheduled events.