The adjoining fishing villages of Rockport and Fulton lie along scenic Aransas Bay and are havens for snowbirds of all varieties, from 5-foot-tall whooping cranes to those in 30-foot-long Winnebagos. Both flock to this part of the Texas coast in late October and remain until the end of March. Rockport residents welcome the feathered snowbirds with several protected refuges, and the RVers can take their choice of many well-manicured campgrounds, complete with a friendly small-town atmosphere.
Rockport is nationally recognized in the birding world because it boasts over 500 species on record. From late August through September, thousands of tiny hummingbirds from as far as Canada use Rockport and other nearby coastal communities as filling stations. They stop and refuel before the arduous, non-stop journey over the Gulf of Mexico on their way to warmer climes in Mexico and Central and South America. In the winter, the endangered whooping cranes take center stage here as the long-legged birds make their winter home nearby. Boat tours take travelers for a look at this seasonal resident.
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Things to Do in Rockport, Texas
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
A must-see in the Rockport area, this 54,829-acre refuge is the prime wintering ground for the endangered whooping crane, plus hundreds of other bird species.
The refuge includes several hiking trails and a paved, 15-mile loop drive that offer a chance to see some of 80 mammal species indigenous to the region: opossum, shrew, bat, armadillo, raccoon, coati, ringtail, mink, weasel, nutria, skunk, bobcat, deer, coyote, and even wild boar. You’ll find an observation tower on the loop drive as well. The Visitors Center includes films and exhibits on the annual migration of these five-foot-tall birds.
The cold weather months bring the whooping cranes back to their winter home at the Aransas Pass Wildlife Sanctuary.
Drop by the Visitors Center to learn more about the statuesque Whooping Cranes. While you’re there, check out the nearby alligator pond for its toothy inhabitants. On nearby hiking trails, keep an eye out for coyote, red wolf, gray fox, mink, weasel, badger, or a wild boar.
Location: To reach the refuge from Rockport, travel 22 miles north on Rte. 35, then 9 miles east on FM 774, then 7 miles southeast on FM 2040.
Do Some Birding in Rockport and Surrounding Areas
In a state where bigger is often considered better, some of the smallest residents and visitors create one of the state’s largest attractions: bird watching. Along the Texas coastline, bird lovers from around the globe come to cast their binoculars and bird identification guides on approximately 400 recorded species.
The birders that have flocked to Texas have helped make the state the number one North American birding destination. What brings these binoculared visitors to the Texas coast is the richness of species found throughout the year in its refuges, preserves, and shorelines.
The Coastal Bend is located on the Central Flyway, a bird highway which brings migrators from Canada, through Montana, and over the Central states on their way to Mexico. This area also receives migrators from the Mississippi Flyway who travel the coastline instead of venturing across the open Gulf waters. Even more feathered visitors come east from the Rocky Mountain Flyway and occasionally up from Mexico.
Whether you’re a novice or a birder with an extensive life list, you’ll find plenty of birding sites scattered along the Coastal Bend and on down to South Padre. The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of Transportation, identifies sites most popular with birders.
Watch for Birds at the Connie Hagar Sanctuary.
In the 1940s a feisty and dedicated local amateur bird-watcher named Connie Hagar identified hundreds of species. Her research brought Rockport-Fulton to the attention of the National Wildlife Service and other organizations, which eventually recorded nearly 500 species in the area. Today Rockport-Fulton is renowned as one of the finest birding spots in the world.
The Connie Hagar Sanctuary, downtown along TX 35 at Little Bay, is a good place to spot pelicans and many shorebirds. Whooping cranes winter at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge northeast of town, and the drive to the refuge passes many marshes and coastal plains filled with birds.
Tour the Fulton Mansion State Historic Structure.
An elegant 1876 home noted for its innovative features that included one of the first uses of central heat.
Built in 1876 by Col. George Fulton, this grand four-story home overlooks Aransas Bay. It features interesting architecture and surprising modern conveniences. Built at a cost of $100,000, the house included central forced-air heating. A cast-iron furnace in the basement provided heat through a series of flues to false, decorative fireplaces in the main rooms. Hot and cold running water was achieved with a tank located in the tower attic. A gas plant located at the back of the house provided fuel for gas chandeliers.
Check out the Big Tree at Goose Island State Park.
This 314-acre park is the home of “Big Tree,” the State Championship Coastal Live Oak. The park is also home to a variety of waterfowl and shore birds. Fishing, camping, picnic sites.
From Rockport, drive 10 miles northeast on Rte. 35, then east on Park Rd. 13, partly on mainland and partly on nearby islands.
Take a Dip at the Rockport Beach.
This in-town beach is a local favorite.
Dogs are NOT permitted on Rockport Beach, located right in town–but your dog can play on leash at a small beach just at the entrance to Rockport Beach. Located at 911 Navigation Circle. www.rockportbeach-texas.com.
Take a Photo of the Big Blue Crab.
Rockport Beach park is home to the Big Blue Crab, a longtime symbol of Rockport. The sculpture was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 but you can’t keep a good crab down. Fundraising efforts brought back the crab and a 22-foot-wide, 13-feet-deep stainless steel crab was constructed and installed in 2021. The Big Blue Crab weighs almost 6,000 pounds and makes the perfect photo backdrop for your photos.
Visit the Texas Maritime Museum.
This two-story museum chronicles Texas maritime activities, starting with Spanish shipwrecks off the coast and continuing through today’s offshore oil industry. Special exhibits are devoted to shipbuilding, Texans of the sea, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Remembering The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor–and Waiting for Its Return!
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey dealt Rockport a severe blow, causing widespread damage including the loss of The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor. Featuring local species, this aquarium was a favorite stop of ours on trips to the coast no only for its fascinating displays but also because it was dog-friendly!
We’re happy to report that work is underway on securing a new building for the aquarium. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more; as of April 2022, a visual representation of the new building had been presented. Follow the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor on Facebook for continued updates.
Best Rockport Festivals
Oysterfest. This March festival focuses on the Gulf oyster with everything from oyster shucking competitions to crafts booths.
HummerBird Celebration. One of our favorite Texas festivals and a must for birders, this festival showcases the tiniest of Texas visitors: the hummingbird. You’ll find educational programs, boat tours, birding trips, and a nature fair during this event. The Coastal Bend Audubon Society together with the neighboring communities of Rockport and Fulton have come together to host the four-day event, always scheduled for early September.
Rockport Seafair. This October event pays tribute to the town’s heritage with boat races, fresh seafood, and parades.