Magnolia Beach
Port Lavaca, TX
Magnolia Beach sits on Lavaca Bay a short drive south of Port Lavaca, a mile and a half of hard packed sand that's been drawing swimmers since it was a resort town back in the 1800s. The bay water here runs calmer and less salty than the open Gulf, thanks to the Colorado and Lavaca Rivers feeding in, which makes the shallow entry an easy one for kids.
The calm, shallow water and free drive-on access make it a real family favorite locally, though there's not much shade or development if you're expecting resort style amenities.
How we score beachesThe hard packed sand means you can drive right along the beach here, a local habit that surprises first time visitors expecting to walk in from a lot.
Access is free and public, with beach driving and parking directly along the sand.
The beach is flat and hard packed, an easy walk from wherever you park along the shore.
Leashed dogs are allowed.
Summer brings the warmest, calmest water for swimming, while the shallow bay can turn choppy with strong north winds in winter. Hurricane season runs June through November.
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