A fishing pier in Lake Corpus Christi State Park in San Patricio County, Texas, United States.

A fishing pier in Lake Corpus Christi State Park. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.

For almost 100 years Texans have enjoyed the many delights of Lake Corpus Christi State Park.

Like the gift that keeps on giving, the park is known for its stunning scenery, serene ambiance and excellent opportunities for outdoor and water based recreational activities.

Boredom is not an option at this Texas State Park. With the likes of boating, waterskiing, canoeing, paddling, fishing, swimming, and both bird and nature watching being just some of the many things you can do here.

Most of which takes place on the 21,000 acre lake to which the park is named after. Which just happens to be one of the state’s largest artificial bodies of water.

Situated four miles from Mathis, the park covers 356-acres overall and is a popular spot for hiking too. On account of its diverse landscape, which also includes brushland and woodland.

Camping is another favored pastime, with various different accommodation options being available to suit all preferences for weekend or longer term vacation visitors.

Activities

The park provides guests with the opportunity to enjoy its stunning scenery in several ways.

Here is an overview of some of the many activities you can enjoy while you are there.

Boating at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

As you can imagine given its sheer size, boating is a very popular activity at the park.

With the picturesque lake providing a wonderful location in which to relax, the likes of canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding are all well practiced here too. While water skiing is another favored activity for those who want a bit of a thrill.

Please note, no-wake zones are in place on the lake, within which the speed limit for boats is only 3 miles per hour while inside the buoys.

If you didn’t bring any paddling or kayaking equipment with you don’t worry. You can always rent them out at the park.

Swimming at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

During the hotter months of the year the lake provides a wonderful way to cool down from the searing heat that Texas is famous for.

While swimming in the lake you will have to exercise caution as the area is not lifeguarded. It also has a depth that hits 60 feet, so if you are not a strong swimmer you might want to wear a life vest for added safety.

When in the water, please remain with the designated no-wake zones around each of the campgrounds.

Fishing at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

The lake is a haven for those who enjoy fishing, with anglers from all over Texas and the surrounding states coming to the park.

Boasting two large fishing piers, one of which is ADA accessible, everyone can enjoy the opportunity to cast a line either from there, by the shoreline, or on a boat in the middle of the water.

You won’t need a licence to fish from the pier or the shoreline, although you might need one from a boat – so it is best to check with the park’s main office for clarification.

Wherever you choose to fish, the lake has an abundance of bass, sunfish and big blue, channel and yellow catfish within it.

Once you’ve caught something, you can head on over to either of the two fish cleaning shelters by the lake to prepare it ready to eat.

Hiking at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

While the water based recreational activities get all the plaudits, the park is a pleasant place for hiking too.

Overall it has several trails that meander through its landscape. Varying in degrees of difficulty, as well as length, they take you to different scenic viewing points.

One of the most popular of all trails is the Catfish Point Trail. This takes you to the southern end of the park around the Catfish Point camping area, which showcases superb views of the lake.

Another recommended course to tackle is the Kiskadee Trail. This will take you to the Bird’s Nest Shelter Area, where you can enter the Birding Area which is a terrific spot to see some of the 200 bird species that call the park home.

Depending on the season in which you visit the park, you might be able to see the likes of black-bellied whistling-duck, white-eyed vireo, long-billed thrasher and purple gallinule. So it is worth bringing your binoculars along with you.

Pets at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

You are welcome to bring pets with you to the park, but they are only allowed within designated areas.

If you are planning to bring your dog with you on your visit, it is worth getting in touch with the main office to ascertain what restrictions may apply.

Camping at Lake Corpus Christi State Park

For those who want to spend a few nights at the park there are several camping options available across a number of campgrounds.

These include 26 full hookup sites in the Javelina and Catfish Cove areas that come with water, sewer and electric hookups. Many of these sites are pull-through and have shade shelters. Located close to restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, all of them come with their own picnic table and fire ring with grill.

As well as these sites there are a further 23 that come with hookups for water and electricity, and the same amenities at the Opossum Bend Camping Loop. While over at Catfish Cove and the Mesquite Camping Areas there are 59 sites that come with water connections. Again many of these are pull-through and some have shade shelters.

If you would prefer to upgrade your accommodation, the park offers 10 cabins. These cabins come with water and electricity, as well as air conditioning, a fire ring and two twin beds. They do not have bathrooms, but restrooms with showers are nearby.

Park Location

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
23194 Park Rd 25
Mathis, TX 78368
Phone: 361.547.2635

Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Lake Corpus Christi State Park: