Lake Corpus Christi State Park Camping: Start Here!

Are you looking to take a Lake Corpus Christi State Park camping trip?  Well look no further because all the info you’ll need is right here!

Whether you plan to go fishing, kayaking, birding or simply sit around a fire and relax, you will love camping here.  And you’ll love the price too.    

So let’s dive right in and start with a few important links with Must-Know info!

Important Links

Lake Corpus Christi State Park website

Camping – Make Reservations Here

Texas State Parks Pass

Day Passes – Reserve Here

Everything to Know about Lake Corpus Christi State Park 

Park Map

Camping Journal – Never Forget Your Camping Trips Details Again!

Location

Lake Corpus Christi State Park is a mere 45 minutes from Corpus Christi, TX.  This means you’ll be able to enjoy some peace and quiet without being completely in the middle of nowhere.  

If you live near other major cities of Texas, you’ll want to plan for a long drive or to spend the night here.  The park is 2 hours from San Antonio, about 4 hours from Houston, and 6 hours from Dallas.  

Address: 23194 Park Road 25 Mathis, TX 78368

Fees

Like all Texas State Parks, there is an entry fee to enjoy this park. And yes, these fees are still applied even if you are camping here.  The fee to enter Lake Corpus Christi State Park is $5 per adult per day (13+) and free for children (12 and under).  

In other words, even if you have paid for your Lake Corpus Christi State Park camping trip in full, you will have to pay the daily fee per person, per day.  Yes, this can add up quickly, especially when camping with older kids.

BUT, there is a work around!  If you buy a Texas State Parks Pass for $70, you and a car-full of guests can enter all 88 state parks for free for 365 days from purchase.  If you intend to camp for several days or a few times in a year, this pass will save you quite a bit of money!

Everything To Know

There is plenty to do in Lake Corpus Christi State Park.  For all of the details about the state park, you can check out this link, where you’ll find everything you need to know!  But for now, here are a few basics.  

If you are an avid fisherman, you will love fishing from the pier, land or your own boat.   If you love paddling, you will love being out on the water.  And if you so choose, swimming in the No-Wake zones of the park is permissible, just be aware there are no lifeguards. 

As for on land, you could take a walk on one of their 3 hiking trails.  You could grab your camera or binoculars and watch for birds or wildlife.  Or you could simply pack a picnic lunch and head to one of their covered picnic tables down by the water.   

While these are just the basics, I highly recommend that you read up on Everything to Know about Lake Corpus Christi State Park.  

Time to Spend Here

If you are planning on taking a Lake Corpus Christi State Park camping trip, you might be wondering how much time you should plan to spend here.  Is a weekend enough?  

Personally, I believe that you won’t need more than a weekend (or a long weekend) in the park.  While there are over 100 campsites, there isn’t that much to do on land.  Within the park there are 3 short hiking trails, a place to watch birds, and a huge picnic area.  So a few days will most likely suffice.    

That being said, Lake Corpus Christi is an 18,256-acre lake!  So you could truly spend days and days fishing or boating here.  If you are big into fishing and boating/paddling, you can choose anything from a weekend to a week to spend here enjoying the water.  

Campground 

Lake Corpus Christi State Park has a few ways that you can take a camping trip.  You can go to a nice shaded spot, where you’ll be able to set up your tent.  Or if you have a Camper/RV, you’ll love that they have Water/Electric sites and Full Hook-Up sites.  However you plan to camp, there is something for you. 

But if you are the type of person who wants a roof over their head, then you could either choose a screened shelter, or a cabin.  Both are on the rustic side, but will allow you to get away from the bugs and the rain.  

The park has some shady sections and some incredibly sunny sections.  There is also a lot of parking so you can easily drive around the park and access different parts of the lake.  

But now that you know the basics, let’s dive into the details.

Details

• 53 Water Sites
• 19 Water/Electric Sites
• 20 Full Hook-Up Sites
• 15 Screened Shelters
• 10 Cabins
• Fishing Pier
• 4 Bathhouses
• 1 Dump Station
• Rentable Kayaks
• 3 Hiking Trails
• Birding Observation Area
• 2 Boat Ramps (Water Level Dependent) 

Water Sites

Starting with the most rustic way to camp are the 53 water-only sites.  These sites offer plenty of shade and are perfect for tent camping, or if you have an overlanding tent type of set-up.  

You’ll find these spots in the Mesquite Camping Area and the Catfish Cove Camping Area.  There is only water, a picnic table, fire ring, and a pad to park your vehicle.

Water/Electric Sites

Next there are the 19 Electric/Water sites in the Opossum Bend section.  These sites vary in size, but can accommodate tents and anywhere from 30 to 45 foot campers/RVs.  They also have a picnic table, fire ring, and a space to park your vehicle.  

Full Hook-Up Sites

Then there are the 20 Full Hook-Up sites in the Javelina section.  These sites are pull-through sites and anywhere from 30 to 50 feet long.  If you enjoy having all the amenities while still being in a camper, these are the spots for you!

Just be sure to read the fine print with the length restrictions.  You don’t want to book a 30 foot site if you have a 35 foot set-up.  

Screened Shelters

Now we have come to the way to stay with a roof over your head.  The Screened Shelters are simple and offer 2 twin beds in a screened-in room.  There is no AC or heat, but you will be able to feel a cool breeze with a roof over your head.  

Outside you have a picnic table, fire ring, and 2 parking spaces.  There is no kitchen,  bathroom or shower here, so you will have to use the facilities and plan on bringing your own cooking utensils.

Cabins

The cabins are pretty much exactly the same as the screen shelter, except they do have AC and heat available to you.  You also only have 2 twin beds, and no kitchen or bathroom.  This is definitely one of the most rustic cabins on the market, but if there is rain you will be glad not to be in a tent.  

Price Comparison

Now that you know a little bit about all of the ways to book a Lake Corpus Christi State Park camping trip, let’s take a look at the price difference!

***Disclaimer: These are the prices as of 4/2025.  Prices do NOT include taxes/fees/daily entrance fees.  Prices may vary depending on weekends or holidays.

Water Only Site

• $10 per night 
• $70 per week

Water/Electric Site

• $20 per night 
• $140 per week

Full Hook-Up Site

• $25 per night
• $175 per week

Screened Shelters

• $25 per night 
• $175 per week

Cabins

• $50 per night 
• $350 per week

Again, these prices are just to give you an idea of what budget you’ll need to book the camping trip!  Don’t forget to add in the daily entrance fee.  You wouldn’t want that to be a surprise when you arrive!

Conclusion

Whatever your budget, there is an awesome Lake Corpus Christi State Park camping trip waiting for you!  You’ll love the wildlife here and the beautiful lake just waiting to be fished or swam in.  

And if you prefer to just sit and relax around a fire, you can certainly do that too!  With over 100 different campsites to choose from, you’ll love the options provided to you here.

As always, feel free to reach out to me at averagewildexperience@gmail.com with any questions!

-Happy Camping