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Great Outdoors
Great times in the Great Outdoors
Its tough to stay indoors here in Matagorda County with the call of the wild that blows in from the bay. Luckily for most visitors, they don't have to.
With two rivers, five bays and a slew of sloughs and creeks and bayous, water sports are plentiful, from fishing and kayaking to surfing and scuba diving.
As one might expect, boats of all kinds are a popular mode of transport here. You can meander down the Colorado or Tres Palacios River or Caney Creek in a canoe or kayak, watching for birds and wildlife as you go, or you can speed through the Intracoastal Waterway on a motorboat. You can drift lazily on the gentle waters of the bay in a sailboat or test your mettle on the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
There are places where you can rent or buy your own, and there are marinas where you can keep them. there's also an army of professionals to help you plan and execute your adventure, from Sargent in the east to Palacios in the west. Fishing and birding guides, captains with generations of experience, can lead you right to the catch of a lifetime, and weave a lively Matagorda yarn or two while theyre doing it.
you'll want to bring a camera to document the catch, the wildlife or the beautiful views. Bring binoculars, too, especially if you're headed to the Matagorda Birding Nature Center, the Matagorda Bay Nature Park or Mad Island Marsh Preserve. Matagorda Bay is known to birders worldwide as one of the country's leading stopovers for migratory birds, and while migration season is especially exciting, its resident population is stunning year round.
Matagorda County is a prime destination for nature-based education, and is also an activity that's fun for all ages. Matagorda Bay Nature Park, 1,600-acre nature preserve situated along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Colorado River, offers an array of imaginative interactive programs led by scientists and nature educators - enticing programs like "Nature Scavenger Hunt," "Fins, Furs and Feathers," "Wings over the Wetlands," "Day on the Bay Wetlands Kayak Trip" and "Adventures in Beachcombing." Sign up in advance to be sure of a spot, or drop in and browse the engrossing exhibits on display at the Natural Science Center.
You can camp out on miles of powdery sand - and sometimes you may get lucky and have it all to yourself. Build a seaside campfire and stay up late watching the clouds cross the moon, or wake up early for a brilliant sunrise. If you prefer a bit more comfort with your Great Outdoors, there are plenty of RV campgrounds with a variety of accommodations, views and prices.
Hunting is also an option, with outfitters and lodges targeting hunters. Geese and ducks, dove and deer and even wild boars are available in season.
Golfing is a popular activity as well, and two Matagorda courses await your club. there's the Rio Colorado Golf Course near Bay City, on the banks of the Colorado as the name suggests. This challenging 18-hole course features native coastal prairies and signature golf holes situated high on the wooded bluffs of the Colorado River.
There's also the Palacios Golf Course, a Gary Player designed golf course, a 9-hole facility with a course rating of 33.9 and a slope rating of 117.
Whatever your pleasure, you're likely to find it under the sunny skies of Matagorda County - but don't forget your sunscreen!
Additional Information:
Tourism Services »
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