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Riverside Park
Overview
Riverside Park in Bay City, Texas, offers a serene escape along the banks of the Colorado River. This municipal park provides a peaceful setting characterized by mature trees and river views, making it a favorite for travelers seeking a natural environment. Managed by the local Parks and Recreation department, it balances professional upkeep with a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere that contrasts with crowded commercial resorts. It serves as a quiet gateway to the Texas Gulf Coast region for those looking to slow down.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just southwest of downtown Bay City, the park feels secluded despite its proximity to modern conveniences. It is nestled within a lush, wooded landscape that provides significant shade for many sites, a feature highly valued in the Texas heat. The centerpiece of the location is the river access, which allows guests to observe local wildlife and enjoy the cooling influence of the water. The surrounding Matagorda County area is known for its expansive coastal prairies and is a destination for world-class birding throughout the year.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features 40 paved RV sites equipped with full hookups, including 30 and 50-amp electrical service for modern rigs. Travelers appreciate the inclusion of essential facilities such as clean restrooms, private showers, and on-site laundry. For recreation, the park includes a public boat ramp, a dedicated fishing pier, and a playground for families traveling with children. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the winding jogging trails and picnic areas scattered throughout the scenic riverside acreage, making it easy to stay active during your stay.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, visitors can enjoy a round of golf at the nearby Rio Colorado Golf Course, which is highly regarded for its challenging layout and beautiful views. For those willing to drive a short distance, the Matagorda Bay Nature Park offers beach access, kayaking, and coastal exploration. In town, history buffs can visit the Matagorda County Museum or explore the local shops and dining options in the charming, historic downtown district of Bay City, which is just a few minutes away from the campground.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal choice for nature lovers and birdwatchers who enjoy quiet mornings by the water. It is particularly well-suited for retirees and families looking for a low-key, budget-friendly stay without the noise of a major highway. Because of its convenient river access and boat ramp, it is also a top pick for anglers and boaters looking to spend their days on the Colorado River before returning to a quiet, shaded campsite in the evening to relax.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Katy Woods
I have camped here for years at least once or twice a year. We have loved the park winter an summer. But it has been a steady decline. The bathrooms are no longer maintained, always dirty. The wilderness camping area is always my favorite to camp at but we always have electrical issues everytime we camp up there. Quite a few of the sites do not have a working electrical box, but they don't tell you that. Instead you will get to your site an there is no power. Hopefully you find out you have no power BEFORE you set up camp. I counted at least four sites with broken picnic tables. Again, no notice, if you book it, you'll be stuck with it until you can find someone to change your spots in the office. Normally they are not there. My most recent trip was only for 2 nights. When we got there, first thing we do is check the electric, we had to move our site once. when everything checked out, We set up camp. We had an ac an fan. Fan for day time, ac for at night. So not running both at once. fan was working fine, then all of the sudden burned up. Ok, it's an old fan, no problem. Later on, we hook ac up in tent in evening, about 30 minutes after of running it starts getting some kind of surge where the ac would run normally an die down very low. We end up un hooking to be safe, an running to buy another fan, opting to not run the ac. Long story short, in one night we burned up a fan, a portable ac and an electric skillet off the power. Completely ruined. Most expensive one night camping trip of my life. Very disappointing as I love this park an am local. I think the wilderness loop should be primitive only. The power shouldn't be an option if it can't be maintained, an obviously it is not maintained. At least then the sites would be cheaper an you wouldn't burn up all of your electrical stuff. 30 bucks is pretty steep for a camp site not near restrooms with no reliable power. My advise is bring shower shoes for the nasty restrooms an always use a surge protector, or in my opinion, don't use the power at all.
Amelia Bennett
Gorgeous and serene. I felt at home here immediately. We kayaked- using the new kayak rentals, which I HIGHLY recommend, and it was beautiful. That bring said, it's the middle of July, and we forgot about heat stroke. Do not kayak in the middle of the day or on a sunny day. That was a mistake and I gave myself milk heatstroke. Getting the kayaks back up the ramp was the worst part of the day, because of the heat stroke. 🙃 yikes.
Ronniette Marks
We took the girls because they were excited to play in the river. The sand was extremely hot and recommend bringing a canopy as there is no shade but the girls had a blast swimming
Laurie Ambrose
Great park! Sites are a little close, but close to river and lots of wildlife abound. Park staff are very nice. Only small downside is sometimes no TV reception and sporadic phone signals, but I understand that is being improved.
Carey Dodson
Family and I have been coming here for years now. We've always done tent camping with the boys but we brought our camper this time as we are older. This is a great place to visit. Located right on the Colorado River and easy access to it. Has a good wide boat ramp and there is swimming here as well. However, do that at your own risk. Lots of shaded camping areas for both tent and RV. Do watch out for the low hanging branches as I fell victim to one the first time I brought my RV here. Park ranger is always buzzing around the camp on his four-wheeler and is friendly and courteous and very helpful. I also need to mention the fact that there are restroom and shower facilities available here. Folks be warned however as this is a very popular place. Wife and I had scheduled a camping trip here recently and a barbecue cook-off was happening. We won't make that mistake again. So, if you're going to schedule a camping trip, make sure there's no activities like that going on. But then again that's pretty much any place you go camping. Planning on coming back here as work permits....................update ... finally, after a year or more, we got to come back for a visit. The city has done a lot of work on the facilities out here. New electric plugs, water connections updated pads....the works. We were impressed. It's a lot nicer here than it was before. Even new boat launch and dock area.