The park covers almost 4000 acres with five miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico in
Nueces County south of
Port Aransas. The earliest inhabitants were Karankawa Indians, who were a hunter-gatherer people depending heavily on shellfish for food. A small fort was built on Mustang Island during the U.S. Mexican War. Regular steamship service with New Orleans began in the 1850's.
Visitors to the park can enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Birding is excellent, particular during spring and fall migrations.