Texas has some beautiful stretches of sand along the Gulf Coast. You can’t go wrong with visiting any beach in Texas, but one amenity-packed state park was just rated the best.
USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards named Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island as the best in Texas for its turquoise waters, soft white sand, and family-friendly amenities—and because it truly lacks for nothing. Isla Blanca Park has two big pavilions, jetties for surf fishing, a bait station and full-service marina, beach gear rentals, and shower facilities.
Lifeguards patrol the area during the summer months. Concession stands offer fishing trips, snorkeling, jet skis, and parasailing to those looking for adventure on the water. And then there’s the full mile of pristine white sand you can walk along, wading in to take a dip in the gentle lapping waves of the Gulf.
Those features alone are enough to draw a crowd, but there’s more. Privately owned Beach Waterpark sits right on the grounds of the state park. You can buy tickets for your family and spend the day zooming down waterslides, kicking back on the lazy river, and relaxing in a rented cabana. If you need a break from the heat, stop in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Coastal Studies Laboratory to learn about native marine life. The facility features aquariums and a large collection of shells and specimens.
Time your visit right, and you could also catch a SpaceX launch while you’re on the island. Isla Blanca Park is a popular viewing spot since it’s located just across the bay from the Boca Chica launch site.
South Padre Island is a great destination for many reasons beyond the beach. We recommend visiting the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary; taking a dolphin-watching tour; and horseback riding. And while the RV campground at Isla Blanca Park is under construction until October, there are many hotels and resorts to choose from this summer.
Read the original article on Southern Living