I.B. Magee Park has everything for the beach camper

New facilities at I.B. Magee Park. With camping areas, showers, a laundry facility and more, I.B. Magee Beach Park offers just about everything a beachgoer could request.

That includes a park headquarters that offers a breathtaking view of the beach and the Gulf of Mexico from a third-floor observation deck. Opened in 2007, the $1.8 million building combines the offices that were in the former headquarters building and the showers in the old central building, which was demolished.

Owned and operated by the Nueces County Parks Department, I.B. Magee Beach Park offers beachfront bathrooms and showers as well as camping spaces - both tent and trailer. Plans are in the works to greatly expand the trailer spaces, including some with Internet access as well as the more common camping facilities.

The county parks department is working on improving drainage in the campground, and after the issue is addressed, the plan is to pave the roadways into the park.

RV camping in the campsite area of the park is available for $18 per night, and includes a water and electric campsite with dump, water and shower for up to six people, with a two-vehicle parking limit. A $5 deposit is required for a key card to access the showers.

RV campers can stay in the park for up to two weeks, and can pay a weekly rate of $110.

A tent campsite with water and electricity, including shower access for up to six people, also costs $18 per night.

Day parking on the beach from the south jetty to Horace Caldwell Pier is under county jurisdiction and is free (no beach access permit required). South from that point, a beach access window sticker is required for a cost of $12 per year.

Camping overnight in an RV or in tents, with a two-vehicle parking limit, is available for $10 per night, with access to the beach shower house and bathrooms on the beach.

The park office is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week; shower facilities are available to registered campers 24 hours a day.

The park was named in memory of I.B. Magee Jr., a Port Aransas resident who was widely known for his community support.

Magee lived in a house near the park, where he could watch and enjoy the sight of visitors relaxing in a campground near the beach.

For more information on I.B. Magee Beach Park, call the park office at (361) 749-6117.