Port Isabel Lighthouse
Port Isabel, TX
An 1852 brick lighthouse, one of the few on the Texas coast open to climb, with a 75-step climb to a view over the causeway to South Padre Island. Small fee; closes in bad weather.
Port Isabel Lighthouse is a brick lighthouse in Port Isabel, Texas, on Texas Highway 100. The US government began building it in February 1852; it is 82 feet (about 25 meters) tall and was meant to guide ships to what was then a growing cotton port.
In the Civil War both sides used it as a lookout; Confederate Colonel John S. Ford buried the light and lenses, which were never found. The tower returned to service in 1866, was discontinued in 1888 because the government lacked clear title to the land, relit in 1895 and finally extinguished in 1905. The government sold it in 1927, the Texas State Park Board received it as a gift in 1950, and it opened to visitors in 1952 after restoration. Today it is owned by the Texas Historical Commission and operated by the City of Port Isabel; a replica Fresnel lens was added in 2022.
The reconstructed Keeper’s Cottage houses the offices of the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. Please check hours, climbing access and admission with Texas Parks and Wildlife in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Port Isabel, TX
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 26.0773, -97.2074
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. Hot in June–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Rocket Ranch Boca ChicaCampsite10 mi from Port Isabel Lighthouse
- Tropical Trails RV ResortMotorhome stopover16 mi from Port Isabel LighthouseMotorhomes
- Breeze Lake CampgroundMotorhome stopover16 mi from Port Isabel LighthouseMotorhomes
- Four Seasons RV ResortMotorhome stopover17 mi from Port Isabel LighthouseMotorhomes
- Sunset Palms RV & Mobile Home ParkMotorhome stopover17 mi from Port Isabel LighthouseMotorhomes
- Cactus Cart RV ParkMotorhome stopover18 mi from Port Isabel LighthouseMotorhomes
All campsites in Texas · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Port Isabel Lighthouse?
Port Isabel Lighthouse is in Port Isabel, TX, at GPS 26.0773, -97.2074. It is about 3 mi from South Padre Island.
Can you camp near Port Isabel Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lazy Days Trailer Park, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 21 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Port Isabel Lighthouse?
Port Isabel Lighthouse is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The Rio Grande Valley: South Padre Island and subtropical refuges.
What is there to see near Port Isabel Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (14 mi), Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (17 mi), Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (58 mi) and Padre Island National Seashore (93 mi).
When is the best time to visit Port Isabel Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)