FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sandy Jumper
VP of Marketing & Promotion
361-729-6445
Now More Than Ever
Get outside, experience nature at more than
20 trails in the Rockport-Fulton area
(Rockport-Fulton, TX) Get outside in the fresh air, experience nature and nurture your physical and mental health. Rockport, Fulton and areas throughout Aransas County have more than 20 hidden gems of trails waiting and ready for you to walk or ride.
Residents of the Rockport-Fulton area are lucky to have miles of hike and bike paths to head to when in need of sunshine, fresh air and open green space. It’s preventive medicine, at no cost, with so many great options. The residents are happy to share these experiences with visitors as well.
Use this guide to learn and try out trails and parks, along with ideas on what you will see, how long each trail will take to complete, and the quality of the trail. When cycling in Aransas County, as is the case on any public street, always wear a helmet and bright, highly visible clothing. It is also recommended to have a flashing red safety light mounted behind the saddle. Always ride with the flow of traffic, unless routes converge with sidewalks, and please obey all traffic laws and regulations.
Aransas County Grand Tour Route - 40 miles - moderate
Beginning at Cove Harbor Marina, this bike route encompasses Aransas Pass, Fulton and Rockport. Points of interest along the route are Conn Brown Harbor in Aransas Pass, Howard Murph Park on Live Oak Peninsula, scenic Fulton Beach Road, the town of Fulton, historic town center of Rockport and scenic Water Street in Rockport. This entire route is an advanced ride for experienced cyclists, and many of the highlights of this ride can be found in the shorter routes listed below. Approximately 40 miles. Click here for map information.
Live Oak Peninsula - 25 miles - moderate
Beginning at Howard Murph Park, this route encompasses most of Live Oak Peninsula and incorporates many of the sights and experiences found in the Fulton Harbor and Rockport Beach routes. Approximately 25 miles. Click here for map information.
Tule Creek Hike & Bike Trail - 1.08 mile trail - easy
The 1.08-mile City of Rockport trail features a 10-foot wide concrete path that winds through Live Oak Forest, running parallel to Tule Creek, and ending at Enterprise Boulevard near Memorial Park. The Tule Creek hike and bike trail begins at an unusual location, next to Wal-Mart. Minutes from downtown Rockport, the hike and bike trail cuts through a wooded area before meeting up with the creek. Click here for map information.
Rockport Demo Bird Garden & Wetlands Pond and Tule Creek East - 0,8 mile trail (one-way) - easy
This 5-acre site is located on Highway Bus 35 North across from Walmart. It is number 50 on the Great Texas Birding Trail. You will notice a roadside park with shady parking. Enjoy a walk along the boardwalk. Follow the trail beside the demonstration garden to the pond in the back of the property. An outdoor classroom with seating is available. This site is sometimes called Tule Marsh East by Rockport residents – don’t let the name confuse you! Follow the 19-stop interpretive Nature Trail that wraps around the site.
Memorial Park Trails - 1.6 mile trail - easy
Memorial Park has a beautiful 1.6 mile asphalt trail that winds through live oak habitat and around a 2.6 acre lake. The trail serves as the passive recreational backbone of the park and meanders around the baseball and soccer fields and through live oak motts located throughout the site. It is an eight foot wide multi-use asphalt trail and consistently has heavy foot traffic. The trails are lighted and are accompanied by benches and pet waste stations. To the north of the trail is a triangular section of the park that is approximately 3.6 acres. The loop trail is located on the perimeter of this area and includes a picnic pavilion. In the center of this area is an exercise station. A skate park will be made available here in the near future. The backbone of the west side park amenities is the large pond. Birds and waterfowl frequent the pond and the wetland area. An existing asphalt trail hugs the north side of the pond and there are several “overlook” areas along the trail. A trail head is located at the east end of the pond with parking accommodating approximately 12 vehicles. Vehicular access to this trail is thru the main park access drive on the east side of the park and a restroom facility supports the trail head. There are additional soft surface trails that tie into the main asphalt trail. These trails are composed of compacted mulch and although they are located on very flat terrain are not considered accessible. The park has recently added a disc golf course. Click here for map information.
Henderson Nature Preserve - <1 mile trail - easy
The front parking lot features paver stones with grass growing in between, thus creating an impervious surface. The walking trail has interpretive signage along the way. The area also features two water retention ponds, which take on the water that comes from the Rockport Country Club. The walking trail connects to Palmetto Street in Fulton and there is a more northern available entrance with an ADA compliant parking lot in addition to the main entry from Henderson Street. Click here for map information.
Rockport Beach Route - 13.5 miles - easy
Beginning at Rockport Beach Park, this route highlights Rockport Beach, Rockport Harbor, downtown Rockport, historic Water Street, Tule Creek Hike & Bike Trail and scenic Key Allegro on Aransas Bay. Approximately 13.5 miles. Click here for map information.
Rockport Beach Bayview Walkway - 0.7 mile trail - easy
This moderately trafficked loop trail located inside the Rockport Beach area offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, bird watching, and fishing and is accessible year-round. The beach is kid friendly, has areas for fishing, paddle sports, outdoor recreation. There is no shade and dogs are not allowed to roam inside the beach area. Enter through the vehicle entrance booth. Park anywhere along the beach road. Review beach hours prior to arrival. Vehicle fees apply. Click here for map information.
Fulton Harbor Route - 11.1 miles - easy
Beginning at Fulton Harbor, this route highlights Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, Howard Murph Park and Fulton Harbor. Approximately 11.5 miles. Click here for map information.
Goose Island State Park - 6.75 mile - easy
On Lamar Peninsula, this cycling route begins and highlights Goose Island State Park, scenic St. Charles Bay and historic Big Tree. It’s approximately 6.75 miles. Bike lanes, wide curbed lanes or low traffic volume residential streets. Some sidewalk connections. Click here for map information.
Big Tree Loop - 0.1 mile - easy
Big Tree Loop is a 0.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Rockport, Texas that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. A short paved loop with the Big Tree as the centerpiece. This is part of Goose Island State Park but is located a short drive from the main park.The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Turks Cap Trail - 1.1 mile - easy
Turks Cap Trail is a 1.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Rockport, Texas inside Goose Island State Park that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Lantana Loop - 2.14 mile - moderate
Lantana Loop is a 2.14 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Rockport, Texas inside Goose Island State Park that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Looking for great trails? There’s seven easy trails in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge ranging from 0.7 to 1.5 miles and from 6 to 49 feet above sea level. Also, Built in 2012, the 40’ observation tower is accessible and gives you the best chance to see a whooping crane on the refuge. It is built in a wooded area but rises above the trees for a panoramic view of San Antonio Bay and Mustang Lake. From mid-October through March, a pair or family (3) of cranes can usually be seen feeding in the marsh during daylight hours. Otherwise, look for the V-formations of geese flying overhead and butterflies, warblers and other wildlife below! A 16-mile one-way driving tour takes visitors through the refuge's grassland, oak thicket, freshwater pond, and marshland habitats, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Click here for trails and other information.
Songbird Loop - 0.2 mile - easy
Songbird Loop is a 0.2 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Austwell, Texas in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. It features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. It’s known as the refuge’s songbird trail because it is situated in the middle of an oak motte. On the Texas coast, these wooded areas are very important for the neotropical migratory birds that are migrating between North and Central America. On this trail, you might see grosbeaks, flycatchers, warblers and other small, colorful birds. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Click here for map information.
Oak Sanctuary - 0.1 mile - easy
Oak Sanctuary Trail is a 0.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Austwell, Texas in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.Set within a shady and protected area, the overlook offers excellent views of San Antonio bay. Here, the live oak trees are draped with mustang grapes that have served to anchor the trees during hurricanes and tropical storms. At this overlook you might see ospreys, hummingbirds, armadillo, gray fox and neotropical migratory birds. Click here for map information.
Rail Trail - 0.3 mile - easy
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Rail Trail is a 1.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.Waterbirds, from rails to bitterns, lurk in the reeds lining Tomas Slough. This grassy trail parallels the long, narrow pond that is home to alligators as well. Listen for the kuk-kuk-kuk of yellow billed cuckoos along the way. Click here for map information.
Jones Lake Trail - 0.1 mile - easy
This is a popular overlook where you can enjoy wetland species. The lake is maintained to mimic the fluctuating seasons. Some years the lake is dry and others wet. This change supports a diversity of wildlife that depend upon or take advantage of these changes. Jones Lake Trail is a 0.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail that is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Click here for map information.
Herons Flats Trail - 1.5 mile - easy
Heron Flats Trail is a 1.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Austwell, Texas that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Itl follows an ancient oyster shell ridge that borders the salt marsh. It leads you through an oak motte and down to the shores of San Antonio Bay. This trail is one of the refuge’s most popular because of its changing landscape and the tremendous variety of wildlife it supports. On this trail you might see alligators, wood storks, wildflowers, roseate spoonbills, waterfowl, shorebirds and some amazing butterfly species.Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Click here for map information.
Big Tree Trail - 0.7 mile - easy
Encounter some of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge’s largest live oak trees along this woodland loop. Big Tree Trail is a 0.8 mile lightly trafficked loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Click here for map information.
Fulton Beach Seawall Walk - 11.5 miles - easy
Beginning at Fulton Harbor, this route highlights Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, Howard Murph Park and Fulton Harbor. Approximately 11.5 miles. Click here for map information.
Most of us are well aware that nature is good for our health. There’s hundreds of studies that prove as much, but being in nature reduces stress and boosts the immune system. A chance to experience the Rockport-Fulton area outdoors at one’s own pace is a great alternative to indoors. It’s safe to get outdoors and do your thing. The Rockport-Fulton area is full of outdoor things for you to do.
An assortment of the trails above are part of Aransas Pathways. Aransas Pathways is a project funded by visitors staying overnight in the Rockport-Fulton area. “We are pleased to have so many available outdoor activities to offer during this pandemic,” said Sandy Jumper, VP of Marketing and Promotion of the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. Aransas Pathways projects focus on: History, Hike and Bike trails, Kayaking and Birding. information can be found on Aransas Pathways venues at the "Pathways Center" located at 2491 Hwy 35 N (Walmart entrance next to Tule Creek) This site includes a pavilion, an observation bridge, a nature and birding area, and trails. The pavilion houses kiosks which have photos, history, and maps directing visitors to other Pathways sites such as: Linda S, Castro Birding and Nature Sanctuary, The History Center for Aransas County projects focus on: History, Hike and Bike trails, Kayaking and Birding. Individuals can find information on Pathways venues at the "Pathways Center" located at 2491 Hwy 35 N (Walmart entrance next to Tule Creek) This site includes a pavilion, an observation bridge, a nature and birding area, and trails. The pavilion houses kiosks which have photos, history, and maps directing visitors to other Pathways sites such as: Linda S, Castro Birding and Nature Sanctuary, The History Center for Aransas County
For more information on Aransas Pathways, visit aransaspathways.com. For more information on the Rockport-Fulton area, visit rockport-fulton.org.
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