Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary: An RVer's Guide to Port Lavaca

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If you only have time for one stop in Port Lavaca, make it Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary. It's the kind of place where you can walk over the marsh in the morning, eat lunch by the water and fish off a pier in the evening. It's right here in town, so it's an easy outing from your campsite.

Here's what to expect, what to bring and how RVers can make the most of a visit.

What You'll Find at Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach is a city park on the shore of Lavaca Bay. It has a sandy beach with shallow water, picnic areas and playgrounds. Families like it because the kids can splash around close to shore while the adults relax.

The park also has a 3,100-foot paved walking path along the water. It's flat and easy, which makes it a good choice for an evening stroll or a morning walk with the dog. There's a boat ramp too, if you're towing a small boat or kayak.

And then there's the pier. Lighthouse Beach has a lighted pier with a shade structure, so you can fish in the heat of the day or after dark. Bring your Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement if you plan to cast in the bay.

The Boardwalk and the Bird Sanctuary

The real star of the park is the bird sanctuary. A 2,200-foot boardwalk runs above the beach and out over the wetlands. Part of it is called the Formosa Wetlands Walkway, and it takes you right out into the salt marsh.

At the end of the walkway, you'll find the Alcoa Birding Tower. Climb up and you get a wide view across the marsh and the bay. Bring binoculars if you have them, because there's a lot to see.

Birds to Watch For

Some 400 species of birds can be seen around this area at different times of the year. Here are a few to look for:

• In the marsh: Seaside Sparrows, Clapper Rails and, in winter, Nelson's Sparrows.
• Over the bay: Brown Pelicans, gulls and terns, often easy to spot from the tower.
• Along the shore: egrets and other wading birds working the shallows.

The sanctuary is a stop on the Calhoun Loop of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. That's a good sign that birders think highly of it. Even if you're not a bird person, the quiet walk over the water is worth it.

Tips for RVers Visiting the Park

Lighthouse Beach is a day trip, not a place you need to haul the whole rig. Here are a few tips to make it easy:

1. Leave the RV parked. Set up at your site first, then take your tow vehicle or toad into town. Parking a car is much easier than parking a big rig.
2. Go early or late. Birds are most active in the early morning and toward evening. The light is softer for photos then, too.
3. Pack for sun and wind. There isn't much shade on the boardwalk. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a light jacket for breezy days.
4. Bring bug spray. Marsh areas can get buggy, especially on warm, still evenings.
5. Pack a picnic. With picnic areas right there, it's easy to turn a short walk into a whole afternoon.
6. Keep pets close. If your dog comes along, keep it on a leash so the nesting and feeding birds aren't disturbed.

More to See Nearby

Once you're in town, a few other spots pair well with a beach day.

The Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse is a small hexagonal lighthouse built in 1858. It once stood out in the bay and guided ships for decades. Today it sits on dry land in town, near the Chamber of Commerce. It's said to be the only screw-pile lighthouse still standing on the Texas Gulf Coast.

The Calhoun County Museum is another good stop, especially on a hot or rainy day. It covers local history, including items from La Salle's ship, La Belle, and a large lens from the Matagorda Island Lighthouse.

If you'd like more fishing, Bayfront Peninsula Park has pier fishing and bank areas to cast from. And the causeway fishing pier, with its lighted T-head, is close by as well.

Come Back to a Comfortable Home Base

After a day in the sun, it's nice to come back to a quiet, gated park. Texas Lakeside RV Resort is in Port Lavaca, so Lighthouse Beach is an easy trip from your site. When you get back, you can cool off in the swimming pool, soak in the hot tub or toss a line in our private stocked fishing lake.

Our sites have full hookups with 30- and 50-amp service, concrete pads, cable and Wi-Fi. We have big-rig pull-throughs, back-ins and waterfront sites up to 80 feet long. There's also a clubhouse with a full kitchen, a fitness center, a dog park and clean laundry rooms.

Ready to plan your visit? See our RV site rates for daily, weekly and monthly stays. Rates are starting at $65 a night, and they can change, so call to confirm. You can also send a question to the Texas Lakeside team or call (361) 551-2267.