Why Fall Is a Great Time to Visit the Texas Gulf Coast

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Summer gets most of the attention on the Texas Gulf Coast. But ask the locals, and many will tell you fall is the best season of all. The heat finally breaks, the crowds thin out and the fishing gets good.

If you're thinking about an RV trip to Port Lavaca and Calhoun County, here's why fall is a smart time to go.

Milder Weather and Fewer Crowds

By fall, the worst of the summer heat is usually behind us. Days are still warm, but evenings start to cool off, and humidity tends to ease up as the season goes on. It's great weather for sitting outside, grilling dinner and taking long walks by the bay.

Once school starts, family vacation traffic slows down. Beaches, piers and boat ramps feel calmer, and it's easier to find a quiet spot. If you like a slower pace, fall is your season.

One thing to keep in mind: hurricane season runs through November 30. Most fall days are calm, but check the forecast before and during your trip.

The Fishing Heats Up

The Bull Redfish Run

Fall is famous on the Texas coast for big redfish. From late summer into October, mature "bull reds" leave the bays and head toward the Gulf to spawn. Anglers line up at piers, jetties and passes to catch these hard-fighting fish.

Texas lets you keep three redfish a day between 20 and 28 inches. You can keep one oversized fish per license year with a Red Drum Tag. Most bull reds are released so they can keep spawning.

Trout, Flounder and More

Cooling water also gets speckled trout and other fish feeding. Flounder start moving toward the Gulf too, though Texas has a flounder closure from November 1 to December 14, when it's catch and release only. Plan to keep flounder earlier in the fall.

Not a boat person? The Port Lavaca causeway fishing pier and the lighted pier at Six Mile Park are easy places to fish. And at Texas Lakeside RV Resort, our private stocked fishing lake lets guests catch catfish and other fish right on site.

Great Birding Season

Calhoun County sits along a major bird migration path, and fall brings plenty of action. Shorebirds, hawks and songbirds pass through, and ducks and geese start arriving for winter.

The biggest draw is the whooping crane. These tall, white birds are one of the rarest in North America. They usually arrive at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in late October and stay until about mid-April. The refuge is about an hour's drive from Port Lavaca by way of Seadrift.

Closer to home, the Port Lavaca Bird Sanctuary at Lighthouse Beach has a boardwalk, the Formosa Wetlands Walkway and the Alcoa Birding Tower. In winter, look for sandhill cranes and snow geese around Magnolia Beach too.

Fresh Seafood Season

Fall is a tasty time to be on the coast. The fall bay shrimp season runs from August 15 to November 30, so fresh local shrimp are easy to find. Oyster season in Texas usually opens on November 1, though the state may only open some areas depending on reef conditions.

Pick up some shrimp, boil a pot with corn and potatoes, and enjoy it at one of our picnic pavilions. Cooler evenings make it even better.

A Good Time for Snowbirds and Long Stays

Fall is when many snowbirds start heading south. Arriving in October or November lets you settle in before the busiest part of winter and pick a site you love.

Our monthly stays work well for snowbirds and traveling workers. Sites run up to 80 feet with full hookups, 30- and 50-amp service, concrete pads, cable and Wi-Fi. You'll also have a pool and hot tub, a clubhouse with a full kitchen, a fitness center, laundry and a dog park.

Planning to stay through Thanksgiving? Holiday stays have a 3-night minimum, so it's smart to book early.

Easy Fall Day Trips

Fall weather is perfect for exploring. A few ideas:

• Calhoun County Museum: See artifacts from the La Belle shipwreck and a huge Fresnel lens from the Matagorda Island Lighthouse.
• Indianola: Visit the site of a once-busy port town that was wiped out by hurricanes.
• Port O'Connor: Walk the trails at a small nature park or try a short section of the paddling trail.
• Seadrift: A quiet bayfront town on the way to the wildlife refuge.

Book Your Fall Getaway

Fall on the Texas Gulf Coast is easy to love. Rates at Texas Lakeside RV Resort start at $65 a night, $325 a week or $550 a month plus electric. Rates can change, so give us a call to confirm.

View our fall RV site rates or contact us to book your fall stay. You can also call (361) 551-2267. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.