After over a year of dealing with restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are looking forward to taking summer vacations. Corpus Christi, Texas is a great place to consider for a summer getaway. Between the warm sun, the cool sea, and all the interesting sights, there is something for every individual and every family to enjoy.
Corpus Christi, Texas is located in what is known as the Coastal Bend area of Texas; it is the largest city in the Coastal Bend. The curved area along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico offers some of the most scenic walks in the state, including everything from robust treks through local state parks to long walks along trails that connect various green spaces throughout Corpus Christi and the surrounding towns. It’s no wonder that one of the most popular activities in the area is hiking. The variety of trails available in the area is considerable, making it easier than ever to get up close and personal with nature. Here are six notable hikes you and your family should consider taking in the Corpus Christi area this summer.
1. Sunset Lake Park
Sunset Lake Park is located just a few miles away from the city, at the edge of the town of Portland, off of a highway bridge that separates Nueces Bay from Corpus Christi Bay. This public park offers a two-mile hike and bike trail that cuts across one of the most diverse coastal marsh and wetland habitats along the Texas coast. Sunset Lake Park is popular with nature lovers seeking to enjoy encounters with a wide variety of birds, as well as strolls along the boardwalk and far-reaching views of the grassy coastal marsh.
2. Grasslands Nature Trail at Padre Island National Seashore
The Grasslands Nature Trail is a paved section of a two-mile path through the sand dunes at Padre Island National Seashore. Perfect for walkers, joggers, and hikers who want to take a short and easy stroll, the Grasslands Nature Trail is universally accessible—strollers and wheelchairs are welcome. The trail offers views of the grasslands and marshes. Visitors to this trail might catch sight of animals including jackrabbits and coyotes, as well as a variety of birds.
3. Mustang Island Loop at Port Aransas Nature Preserve
Mustang Island Loop is three miles of hiking and biking trails located within the Port Aransas Nature Preserve. Popular with birdwatchers, Mustang Island Loop provides several viewing towers from which visitors can see the numerous waterbirds that make their home throughout the wetlands of the preserve, as well as local shorebirds and migrating species, too. It is a great trail to hike for bird lovers, but also for those interested in other animals and plants that thrive in the area.
4. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Nature & Hiking Trail
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Nature and Hiking Trail is an integral part of the university campus. It offers visitors (and students, too, of course) the opportunity to explore the college campus while simultaneously enjoying views of Corpus Christi Bay and Oso Bay. Visitors must remain on the path as local wildlife lives along the trail; while the wildlife is interesting to watch, it should not be disturbed. The lighted, paved trail is just over 7 miles long. It is a perfect stretch for walking or jogging, biking or skating.
5. Oso Bay Wetlands Nature Trail
Visitors to the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center can take in views of the varied flora and fauna of South Texas as they make their way along the Oso Bay Wetlands Nature Trail. There are several wildlife viewing outlooks along this 3-mile long trail, which is open from sunrise to sunset year-round for anyone who enjoys hiking, walking, trail running, and/or birdwatching. The preserve and learning center also offers extra activities and events throughout the summer, including guided nature walks and children’s programs.
6. Goose Island State Park
Another popular place for hiking is Goose Island State Park. A short drive from Corpus Christi in Rockport, Texas, this state park between St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay is a great place to enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including the guided nature hikes offered year-round. It is an excellent location for walking and cycling. An especially popular spot for nature photographers, Goose Island State Park draws visitors interested in observing the local wildlife, including multiple bird species, like waterbirds along the water’s edge and songbirds amongst the beautiful live oak trees.
The Corpus Christi area is home to pleasant beaches and scenic nature trails popular with Texans and visitors from around the world. Consider visiting to hike in and around the beautiful coastal landscapes of the area this summer, for a much-needed change of scenery and relaxing change of pace as the state begins to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A summer vacation in the Texas Coastal Bend area might be just the getaway you need…the peaceful beauty of the area will never disappoint.
After you explore the Texas Coastal Bend, you might find yourself drawn to the beauty so much that you take an interest in the local real estate market. If you are interested in learning more about properties for sale in the area, reach out to WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses based in Corpus Christi, Texas. The dedicated real estate professionals at WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses are committed to offering quality service to all their clients, answering their questions, and offering insight into the local market. The licensed team of realtors is ready and waiting to help you navigate the local real estate market, whether you are interested in buying a property in the Corpus Christi area as your new home or as a vacation home. The team can help you look in Corpus Christi and beyond, throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region. If you need competent real estate guidance in the Coastal Bend area of Texas, WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses is the real estate group to contact! Visit them online or call them at 361-882-5588 any time, to discuss your real estate needs.
