Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp

Anglers can be seen coming and going throughout the day at the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp.

NPS Photo/ Thomas DiGiovannangelo

Quick Facts

Location:

Decimal Degrees: 27.47291, -97.30923

Designation:

National Seashore

Amenities

8 listed

Accessible Rooms, Boat Ramp, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Fish-Cleaning Station, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Pets Allowed, Toilet - Vault/Composting

Located along the shores of the Laguna Madre, the Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp is the only developed boat ramp in the park. The site is busy in the early mornings, especially on weekends and holidays, as anglers launch their boats for a day of fishing on the Laguna Madre and further south into Baffin Bay.

The boat ramp consists of a paved boat ramp and small adjacent dock, a gravel launch area for paddle crafts, and a small pier with fish cleaning tables. Accessible vault toilets are located adjacent to the parking lot.  

Parking 

Parking at the boat ramp is limited. The parking lot has designated spots for vehicles with trailers, single vehicles without trailers, accessible parking spaces for vehicles with trailers and accessible parking spaces for single vehicles without trailers. Vehicles must be parked in a parking spot designated for their vehicle type. Violators may be cited or towed.  

Number of parking spaces 

• 112 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers.  

• 4 parking spaces for single vehicles without trailers. 

• 2 accessible parking spaces for vehicles with trailers. 

• 2 accessible parking spaces for single vehicles without trailers. 

• 2 accessible parking spaces for vehicles with or without trailers. 

Overflow parking 

Boat ramp parking is not permitted along park roads or in the Bird Island Basin Day-use Area. Overflow parking is available at the Malaquite Visitor Center 4.3 miles (6.9 km) away. If parking overflow vehicles at the visitor center, you will need to arrange your own shuttle to the boat ramp.  

Fees 

Parking at the boat ramp requires an additional park fee. This fee is in addition to the park entrance fee. A single day boat ramp pass is $5 per vehicle. An annual boat ramp pass is $30 per vehicle. Boat ramp passes may be purchased in person at the park entrance station, visitor center, or online at Recreation.gov.