Goose Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goose Island State Park |
|
|---|---|
The "Big Tree" at Goose Island State Park is thought to be 1000 years old.
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Aransas County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Rockport |
| Area | 321.4 acres (130 ha) |
| Created | 1931-1935 |
| Operated by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
Goose Island State Park is a cool state park in Texas, a state in the United States. You can find it north of Rockport, right on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This park covers about 321 acres (130 hectares). It is surrounded by two beautiful bays: St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay.
Contents
Discovering Goose Island State Park
Goose Island State Park was created between 1931 and 1935. The land for the park was bought from private owners. The very first buildings and facilities in the park were built by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. This group helped create many parks and public spaces across the country during the 1930s.
The Famous "Big Tree"
One of the most amazing things at Goose Island State Park is "The Big Tree". This is a huge Southern live oak tree. Experts believe it is more than 1,000 years old! Imagine all the history this tree has seen.
The Big Tree is truly massive. Its trunk measures about 35 feet (11 meters) around. It stands 44 feet (13 meters) tall, which is like a four-story building. Its branches spread out wide, covering an area of about 90 feet (27 meters). It is a must-see when you visit the park.
Fun Activities at the Park
Even though Goose Island State Park is on the coast, it does not have a swimming beach. The shoreline is made of concrete, oyster shells, mud, and marsh grass. But don't worry, there are still lots of fun things to do!
Camping Adventures
Camping is a very popular activity here. The park has many places for campers to stay overnight. Each year, more than 60,000 people camp at Goose Island State Park. There are 45 camping spots that have electricity and water. Plus, there are 57 more spots with electricity and water, and 27 spots with just water.
Bird Watching and Fishing
If you love nature, you will enjoy birding (watching birds) at the park. Many different types of birds live here or visit. Fishing is also a favorite pastime. You can catch many kinds of fish in the bays. Some common fish caught include speckled trout, redfish, drum, flounder, and sheepshead.
Boating and Exploring
Boating is another great way to enjoy the park's waters. You can explore the bays and enjoy the coastal scenery. The park welcomes about 200,000 visitors every year. It is a wonderful place to connect with nature and have an outdoor adventure.
