What is the legality of landing on the beach in Texas, camping, campfire etc. Also how far out in the Gulf can you go before its considered out of country?

Good luck. We're on the gulf in FL and steer clear. A friends rented plane went down on the beach due to his engine converting to islam and the authorities were there in no time. They made sure all traces were removed and made him take the sand with him that had any hint of contamination. Everyone is uptight about keeping the beaches pristine after the gulf oil spill. Whether that is an actuality or a perception, we do our best to steer clear.

With a few exceptions, most of the Tx beaches are owned by the state and are off limits as far as I know. Most of the beaches still look pretty trashy from hurricanes and stuff washing ashore too, might be a little risky. There's a few strips right on the Gulf starting at West Matagorda Bay and heading south, and they are all private. I've asked a few people about landing on them and have been told they're off limits as well. The one you might have luck with is Pierce, an old NAS located just northeast of Pt. O'Connor. They sell lots where people have fish camps, and still use part of the runway or ramp for landing. A guy I know lands his RV-6 out there, so it can't be too bad. If you look under the comments for the strip on Foreflight, a phone number is listed, maybe you can get permission to land and camp.

For something a little more civilized, Mustang Beach is a nice airport just outside of Pt. Aransas. A bus can take you into town where you can stay in a hotel or camp at the state park.

Not really what I wanted to hear. Was of the understanding you could drive on the beach, so why not land. It is supposed to be public property.

fast eddie wrote:Not really what I wanted to hear. Was of the understanding you could drive on the beach, so why not land. It is supposed to be public property.

I've been wondering that for years.
We have one beach in Washington, Copalis, where it's legal to land-- it's actually a state-owned airport.
But just south of there are miles of beaches (Ocean Shores area) where I see motor vehicles all the time.
I'm curious about Pacific City, I see Rob post photos of his Jeep on the beach there all the time. Is there any beaches in Oregon where it's legal to land?

A beach in TX belongs to the state so no worry with private ownership, just don't land where it's crowded or near a town. Anywhere from Sargent to North Padre Island is fine I used to do it all the time, never saw anybody other than the occasional boater. Been wanting to fly out to San Antonio bay and do a Nalgai hunt on some of the islands out there.

55Wagon might know. Whatever u do stay off the National Seashore! Some folks land on islands in the bay's to go fishing etc.

I've had salt form on my windshield flyin down Laguna Madre (supposedly saltiest lagoon in the world). So personally I try not to subject my bird to those conditions since I don't have paint. Sure wish I could land at the jetties at Port Mansfield though, great surf spot on a south swell. St. Joes would be awesome too!

N300RE wrote:A beach in TX belongs to the state so no worry with private ownership, just don't land where it's crowded or near a town. Anywhere from Sargent to North Padre Island is fine I used to do it all the time, never saw anybody other than the occasional boater. Been wanting to fly out to San Antonio bay and do a Nalgai hunt on some of the islands out there.

Almost every beach from Sargent to North Padre is a wildlife refuge, so they're most definitely off limits. The Matagorda Peninsula along West Matagorda Bay is about the only exception, and is mostly privately owned. I landed there after getting permission, and it's not somewhere I would want to park and camp. It was very marshy, and would only get worse once high tide rolled in.

The Padre Island National Seashore is 65 miles of unimproved barrier island...probably the longest stretch of public beach land anywhere in the lower 48 and the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island anywhere in the world. Only the first 10 miles is regularly patrolled by park officials (although Coast Guard Helicopters fly a lot of the beach on many days). If I remember correctly, only licensed vehicles are allowed to drive the beach and that would preclude aircraft. The Superintendent's Compendium has all the rules for the park and you can download it off the park website. Some years the entire length can be driven but most years there is a cut about halfway down that makes driving, even in a sand oriented 4x4 very dicey. I wouldn't go past the 30 mile mark without two vehicles so that one could pull the other out if you get stuck. I went pretty deep one year in my Landcruiser (I don't know how far exactly-pre GPS) when I was young and indestructible. I think I was lucky not to loose the truck. It is an amazing place. One could always have a precautionary landing to fix a mechanical problem...most likely no one would ever know if you were past about 25 miles in. But be careful...if you can't get back out the tide will take your plane.

The long stretch from north padre down towards Mansfield is indeed "national seashore". It's a bunch of horse shit. Back in the day you could land wherever you please. Probably wouldn't see but a couple 4x4's headed out for a good time and some fish.
Now you aren't supposed to fly less than 2k ft over it!! Why?? Because they can.
They do patrol a lot more than previous as well. Big surprise. And they are dicks and will call the Feds.
Happened just last summer. Some poor soul stuck in the good ole days and using common sense judgment(just no charts or GPS maybe)landed his carbon cub I believe down there.
Law showed up along with the news.
Front page. Plane lands on beach. Like he was nuts.
Makes me sick thinking about this.

North side of Jedi's in port aransas is still legal last I checked. For a ways. There's some more wildlife preserve bullshit out there to somewhere tho so watch your charts.
Because we all know if you land there the sea turtles and some lizard will all become extinct and you'll have to do jail time to make up for it. Might as well whack a whooping crane while your there to.
Port aransas or mustang beach airport is a sweet little spot to. Good grub and nice beaches a short cab ride away. And usually good fuel $.
The stuff between the national shore beach and the mainland is doable in a lot of places to. Along "land cut". Great fishing there!!
Luke's right on the salt. I try and only fly some of that after fronts when the air is dry. Otherwise an overnight stay may leave you with more than chapped lips, sandy balls, and... Well, the sandy balls and salty airplane should be enough reason. Cool fronts make all the difference in the world. Pretty nice out there then.
If you do land down south tho, let me know how it goes. I'm all in if they're cool with it.