Located on a peninsula between Copana Bay and Aransas Bay, the Rockport-Fulton area is famous worldwide for its excellent fishing, sailing, birding, and more. Although they are separate municipalities, the two towns share the same heritage, business, and recreational areas. Rockport was established 1867 as a shipping point for wool, hides, bones, and tallow. It became seat of Aransas County in 1871 and today is an important commercial fishing area. Tourists, boaters, and anglers gather to enjoy mile-long Rockport Beach. Fulton settled in 1866 and was named for George Ware Fulton, who built a French Second Empire style mansion in the mid-1870s in north Rockport. Coleman-Fulton Pasture Co. ranched in the area and promoted efforts toward a deep-water pass and railroads in order to market their beef. Fulton is now a tourist community and offers an abundance of recreation. For additional information on the area contact the Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce at 361-729-6445 or 800-242-0071.
Things to do in Fulton
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to protect the vanishing wildlife of coastal Texas. The 70,504-acre refuge is made up of the Blackjack Peninsula, named for its scattered blackjack oaks, and three satellite units; grasslands, live oaks, and redbay thickets cover deep, sandy soils. Ringed by tidal marshes and broken by long, narrow ponds, Aransas is home for cranes, alligators, deer, and many other species of wildlife. The refuge is famous as the principal wintering ground for near-extinct whooping crane. Other bird species include Canada geese, pintail and baldpate ducks, sand hill cranes, and more. Facilities include a paved tour road, a wildlife interpretive center, an observation tower, several miles of walking trails and a picnic area. Commercially operated boats offering narrated tours depart from Rockport. Located about 35 miles northeast of Rockport via Texas 35 north. Call 361-286-3559 for more information.
Buccaneer Bay Public Golf Course
Buccaneer Bay is Rockport's only public play golf course, an executive 9-hole course located in scenic and historic Lamar that will challenge the best of golfers. The course is nestled among ancient oaks, and has received great reviews from all who have played it. A golf pro shop and clubhouse with full-service bar are available. Call 361-790-7513 for more information.
Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
Renowned Texas bird-watcher Connie Hagar first discovered the rich birding resources of the area when she moved to Rockport in 1935. Her research of hundreds of species brought Rockport-Fulton to worldwide attention as a birding paradise. The Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary is the site of her home. The sanctuary is a little over six acres and includes a nature trail. Located at First and Church Streets.
Copano Bay State Fishing Pier
Copana Bay State Fishing Pier is a 5.9-acre park located five miles north of Rockport. Activities include picnicking, saltwater fishing, boating, and swimming. Facilities include restrooms, concession buildings (fishing supplies, dead and live bait, and a snack bar), a launching ramp, a lighted fishing pier, and fish-cleaning facilities. The boat ramp is located adjacent to the south side pier. Located 5 miles north of Rockport on State Highway 35. Call 361-729-7762 for more information.
Demonstration Garden and Wetlands Pond
Learn about birds, plants, leaves, wildflowers and historical information on legendary birdwatcher Connie Neblett Hagar. From the Demonstration Garden Rest Area on State Hwy. 35 North follow 19 interpretive stops leading you .8 of a mile (one way) to Fulton Beach Road where the freshwater enters into the saltwater bay.
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
The Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is the site of George and Harriet Fulton's 4-story spacious and extravagant home. Completed in 1877 after four years of construction, the home featured ornate trim work and furnishings and the latest technological conveniences including modern plumbing, central heat and a gas lighting system. The cost: $55,000. The restored house and grounds are open for tours Wednesday - Sunday. Located at 316 S. Fulton Beach Road at the corner of Fulton Beach Road and Henderson Street. Call 361-729-0386 for more information.
Goose Island State Park
Goose Island State Park features 321 acres surrounded by the St. Charles and Aransas Bays. One of the park's interesting attractions is the "Big Tree," a coastal live oak, estimated at 1,000 years old, that is thought to be one of the largest in the nation. The main activities at the park are camping, fishing, and excellent birding. Other activities include picnicking, boating, nature study, wildlife observation, and photography. Facilities include campsites, picnic sites; restrooms with and without showers; a double-lane boat ramp; a 1620-foot, lighted fishing pier; a group recreation hall; playground areas; and a Texas State Park Store. The park is located 10 miles northeast of Rockport on State Highway 35 to Park Road 13, then 2 miles east to park entrance. Call 361-729-2858 for more information.
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail
The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through 43 Texas counties, encompassing the entire Texas coastal region. The Trail features 308 distinct wildlife-viewing sites. Enhancements such as board walks, parking pullouts, kiosks, observation platforms, and landscaping to attract native wildlife have been constructed at a number of sites. Each section of the Trail has a map showing 12-16 separate loops. The color-coded loops encompass an array of associated sites and birds and provide easy access to related information. Each site on the Trail is marked with a unique sign and site number designed to coincide with the site description on the map. The Trail maps have information about the birds and habitats likely to be found at each site, the best season to visit, and food and lodging available in the vicinity. Maps can be ordered by calling the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore. Call 888-900-2577 for more information.
Memorial Park
Rockport's Memorial Park features 52 acres with tennis and basketball courts, playground, picnic sites and shelters, soccer and baseball fields, a walking/jogging trail with exercise stations, and restrooms. Located at 1301 N. Live Oak. Call 361-729-2213 for more information.
Rockport Beach Park
The city of Rockport manages Rockport Beach Park, a mile-long natural sandy beach. The park is said to be one of the Texas coast's cleanest and most attractive family recreational facilities. It is the only Texas certified Blue Wave Beach, America's environmental certification program for beaches. Located adjacent to the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is also an important nesting site for a variety of colonial water birds. Facilities include a fishing pier, exercise/walking trail, bird sanctuary and observation tower, saltwater swimming pool, picnic cabanas with barbecue pits, thatched beach umbrellas, children's play units, launching ramp and dock, and sand volleyball courts. Call 877-929-7977 for more information.
Rockport Center for the Arts
Rockport has been listed as one of the best 100 small art towns in America, and the ace up its sleeve is the Rockport Center for the Arts. Housed in a restored 19th-century home, the Center is the hub for all areas of the arts, including visual, performing, and literary. Gallery exhibits, workshops and classes, summer day-camp programs, quarterly concerts, an annual art festival, and gift shop are offered by the Center. Located at Rockport Harbor at 902 Navigation Circle, in the Museum District. Call 361-729-5519 for more information.
Texas Maritime Museum
Experience the rich maritime heritage of Texas from Spanish exploration to the search for offshore oil and gas. With changing exhibits, interactive displays and educational public programming, visitors experience how Texas has relied on the sea. Located across from picturesque Rockport Harbor at 1202 Navigation Circle. Call 361-729-1271 for more information.
Zachary Taylor Park
Zachary Taylor Park Call 361-729-2213 for more information.