Matagorda County: Coast, Birdlife and History

Matagorda Bay Nature Park sits where the Colorado River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, surrounded by marshes and wetlands. Coastal and natural scenery like this shapes a trip through Matagorda County; museums, historic sites and local events add to the picture of the region.

Coast and Water Access

Matagorda Beach is about 58 miles long. East of the Colorado River, 23 miles are open to vehicles; the remaining 35 miles west of the river are accessible only by boat, kayak, canoe or another watercraft. If you’re planning a trip, check these access conditions in advance.

To reach the East Matagorda Peninsula CMA, drive south from Matagorda on FM 2031 to the beach. From there, travel about 2 to 3 miles east along the beach, depending on your access point. At Matagorda Bay Nature Park, the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico, and marshes and wetlands surround the grounds. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Wetlands and Birdwatching

The Matagorda County Birding Nature Center covers 38 acres and features walking trails, ponds, wetlands, picnic areas and a variety of wildlife. At the eastern end, there is an observation platform and access to the Colorado River for canoes and kayaks. Visitors can enjoy natural areas and different ways to spend time by the water.

The Mad Island Wildlife Management Area is home year-round to wading birds, shorebirds and neotropical migratory birds. The Nature Conservancy’s Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh Preserve includes coastal prairie, freshwater wetlands and salt marshes. More than 250 bird species find habitat there for nesting, feeding, resting and roosting.

The Great Texas Birding Trail also offers numerous viewing spots where visitors can observe a wide variety of birds and their breeding, feeding and migratory areas. This nature theme extends beyond individual bird groups to the different habitats they use.

Museums and Historic Sites

The City by the Sea Museum displays Karankawa artifacts and replicas, as well as three murals depicting Karankawa life. Another exhibit explores Palacios’ role in the excavation of La Belle. It includes recovered artifacts and a feature-length film. Also on display behind the Palacios Educational Pavilion is La Petite Belle, a seaworthy half-scale replica of La Belle.

Matagorda Cemetery is one of the earliest cemeteries in Texas and was established around 1829 as part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony. The Hotel Blessing was built in 1906 for land seekers and as a residence for prominent developers Jonathan E. Pierce and Abel B. Pierce. It was listed as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1965. The Bay City U.S.O. Building is the only one of five U.S.O. buildings built along the Gulf Coast at the start of the war that still remains.

The history of the Matagorda County Museum is also tied to its building: it opened to the public as a federal post office on May 15, 1918, and reopened to the public in 1992 after an extensive renovation. Inside the museum, a small town recreates historic everyday scenes from 1890 to 1910. Fully furnished, interactive spaces include a schoolhouse, a general store and a post office.

Markets, Seafood and More Activities

Market Day in Bay City takes place around the Courthouse Square on the third Saturday of every month from March through December. More than 100 booths offer handmade crafts, jewelry, antiques and artisan foods. The Taste of Palacios Seafood Festival features fresh seafood, Texas Gulf Coast farm-raised oysters, local culinary talent, live music, children’s activities and waterfront experiences.

An annual festival in Matagorda adds to the area’s culinary offerings with live music, fresh seafood and oyster-eating contests. For a different activity, Rio is a public 18-hole golf course with a championship layout on the Colorado River. Together, coastal access, birdlife, history and events offer a range of options for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bay City, Palacios, Van Vleck, Presidio County, Lampasas County, Duval County, Leon, Dallas.

For the main travel overview: Texas.