Matagorda Island WMA and Wildlife Area

Enjoying the beach on Matagorda Island.

Matagorda Island.

Dune grasses on Matagorda Island.

One of the wilder sites in the Texas system, Matagorda Island State Park and Wildlife Management Area is accessible only by boat and has no telephone or drinking water.

About 56,700 acres are state and federal land while 43,334 acres are managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The island, which protects the mainland from the tidal and wave action of the open Gulf, is a haven for wildlife. Nineteen species that are on state or federal endangered lists live here, including the whooping crane, alpomado falcon and brown pelican.

Alligators also reside here, as do 19 species of snakes, including the western diamondback rattlesnake. The island's marshes provide habitat and nourishment for shrimp, oysters, crabs and a wide variety of sportfish. Bottle-nosed dolphins frolic in the Gulf.

There's plenty to do on Matagorda, in addition to nature observation. Historical sites range from an 1852 lighthouse to an abandoned air base. Human habitation here goes back to the time of the Karankawa Native Americans, whose height, giant bows and mosquito repellent (a coating of alligator grease and dirt) impressed European settlers.

About 30 miles of beach, roadway and mowed paths are available for hiking and biking. Surfing, swimming and beachcombing are all popular.

Anglers come for a wide variety of sportfish, including redfish, trout, flounder and whiting.

There are two campgrounds. A two-mile stretch of Gulf beach open for primitive camping is served by a shuttle, which makes the 3.1-mile connection to the boat dock.

At the boat dock is the Army Hole Campground. Visitors must bring an ample personal water supply.

There are special hunting seasons for waterfowl and white-tailed deer; permits are required from Texas Parks and Wildlife.