Texas National Parks Offer Shelter to Severe Weather Evacuees

MATHIS, Texas — In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, evacuation plans are essential this hurricane season. Did you know that Texas national parks are available as places to shelter?

Since 2018, following Hurricane Harvey, national parks have been offering free campsites to residents who must leave their homes due to evacuation orders. The parks will waive all camping fees and related costs.

Please note that this applies to state parks located outside of the evacuation zone. Parks located within the danger zone will be closed. These free campsites will be available until the evacuation order for your specific area is lifted.

Lake Corpus Christi State Park is among 88 state parks extending this offer to evacuees across the state. During Hurricane Beryl, the park hosted three groups from Rockport, Corpus Christi and Port Aransas following their respective evacuation orders.

Krista Gonzales, assistant park manager at Lake Corpus Christi, says state parks can be ideal during storms: “The park is beautiful, so it’s a quieter place to come, a more serene environment in an already stressful situation.”

“Having a safe place for them to come, where they don’t have to worry about payments or anything else, allows them to come to the park, set up shop and stay as long as they want until their area is no longer affected.”

For more information, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.

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