A wild world absolutely teeming with life, the Gulf Coast has long presented a beloved, under-the-radar destination for explorers, nature-lovers, and beach-goers. In Port Arthur, the place where the Gulf meets the marsh at Sea Rim State Park represents a gateway to a birder’s paradise, a fisherman’s haven, and a wanderer’s dream. Discover five miles of undisturbed Gulf beach—perfect for sunbathing, seashell-searching, and swimming. (Insider tip: arrive early in the day for your pick of the best seashells, and grab a Beachcomber’s Guide at the Park’s headquarters on your way in to learn more about your finds.)
Because the beach is state park property you don’t need a fishing license to come out and catch a big one from the shore. Common catches include speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and red drum. (Insider tip: The best lures are topwater, such as “Ghost” or “Top Dogs,” or live bait such as minnows and shrimp.) If you’re a newbie, no worries! The park hosts a shore fishing class the first Saturday of every month from 9 am–noon, all equipment provided. For an even easier (and more affordable) mode of catching a delicious Gulf Coast dinner, try your hand at crabbing. Pack an ice chest and a bag of raw chicken legs, breasts, or turkey necks with some string and a net. Tie the bait to a good stick and drive it into the sand right at the water’s edge, then wait for the little (or not so little) guys to come to you. Just watch your fingers!
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Image courtesy of Visit Port Arthur Texas
Family campfire on the beach at Sea Rim State Park
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Image by Curt Edge Photography
Fun at Sea Rim State Park
The shoreline at Sea Rim is home to a diverse community of feathered friends, and birders travel from across the world to experience the shorebirds that call the Gulf Coast their home, at least for a little while. You’ll find yourself smack dab in the middle of both the Central and Mississippi Flyways, and the park is a popular resting place for migrating birds making their long journeys. The protected and food-rich habitat of the beach and adjacent marsh grants savvy and respectful birders the chance to observe storks, falcons, road runners, owls, warblers, flycatchers and more up close. Spring migration takes place between March and May, bringing species like Piping Plover, Stilt Sandpipers, Green Herons, Least Bitterns, Reddish Egrets, and many, many more. From August through November, the fall migration brings a whole new collective of birds traveling south; and plenty more call the park home year-round. Don’t have binoculars? No problem—the Port Arthur Convention & Visitors Bureau has a lending program, where visitors can check out a beginner-friendly pair at no cost. (Insider tip: The best place to go birding? On the water, via kayak or canoe.)
Beyond the shore, the majority of the park comprises 4,000 acres of brackish and intermediate marshland, featuring an intricate lacework of lagoons and salt meadows, as well as two lakes. The marsh is an important habitat for countless aquatic species and birds—and can best be explored by kayak (available for rent through the park). The single in-and-out trail makes getting lost unlikely, and increases in difficulty the farther you paddle—capping at 11.7 miles at the advanced level.
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Image courtesy of Visit Port Arthur Texas
Dozens of bird species migrating along the Central and Mississippi flyways make Sea Rim State Park a prime birdwatching destination.
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Image courtesy of Visit Port Arthur Texas
A view over Sabine Pass
For total immersion in the world of Sea Rim, plan to stay the night. The park hosts almost eighty primitive campsites and 14 camper hookups along the beach, as well as one air-conditioned ADA-accessible cabin that overlooks the marsh and is adjacent to the boat ramp for easy access. For a more involved adventure, rent out the 13x20 foot floating tent platform two miles north of the boat launch, which is accessible only by kayak. The platform was designed in 2016 by architectures students at the University of Texas at Austin, envisioned as an eco-friendly way to experience the wilds of the marsh at their center.
Learn more about offerings at Sea Rim State Park at visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/sea-rim-state-park. For true explorers of the outdoors, be sure to check out the nearby McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge and Beach, as well as Sabine Woods—all havens for local wildlife.
