Our Experience Staying at Camp Margaritaville Crystal Beach, TX
📍 Location: Crystal Beach, TX
🗓 Length of Stay: December 1, 2024 – January 5, 2025
🚐 Type of Rig: 37’ Jayco Precept Class A Motorhome
First Impressions
Our first impression was fantastic! The check-in process was smooth, with an attendant guiding us to check in before personally escorting us to our site—making arrival stress-free.
The resort layout is well-organized, with neatly arranged sites and plenty of palm trees, giving it a true beachy vibe. The Margaritaville theme is evident throughout, making it feel like a tropical getaway.
The resort caters to all types of RVers—full-timers, weekenders, families, and retirees. They even offer rental campers for those without an RV.
Campsite Details
Type of Site: We had a basic back-in pet-friendly site, though some pull-throughs are available near the activity areas. Some sites also have built-in pet fences, which we would consider for a future stay.
Space & Layout: Sites are a little closer together than we typically prefer, but the well-maintained grassy areas gave our kids plenty of space to play. The campground had a strong community vibe with many full-time winter RVers.
Amenities at the Site: Concrete pad, level ground, wooden picnic table, and a beautiful stone fire pit (though we used our own gas fire pit instead).
Amenities & Features
Restrooms & Showers
Always clean and well-maintained. We primarily used our RV shower but appreciated the availability of clean facilities.
Laundry Facilities
Plenty of washers and dryers. Each load cost $2.00 to wash and $2.00 to dry. However, the machines required an app to add funds, which had a $10 minimum deposit. Also, the dryers sometimes needed multiple cycles.
WiFi & Cell Service
When power was available, we had great Starlink WiFi and full cellphone coverage (we use Spectrum, but other carriers seemed to work well in the area).
Pool, Spa, & Recreational Areas
The Pool: The largest RV resort pool we’ve ever seen! There are two sides—one for children and one for adults (with a swim-up bar, though limited in winter).
Hot Tubs: Two large, well-heated hot tubs at either end of the pool.
Evening Ambiance: Blue lighting at night created a fantastic atmosphere for floating under the stars.
Clubhouse & Community Events
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Daily scheduled activities for kids and adults, including crafts, book clubs, group homeschool study, and even a shared remote work space.
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Special holiday events, such as Christmas crafts and a Santa visit.
Live music every weekend!
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Our favorite perk? 5:00 PM Margarita delivery to our campsite on Fridays and Saturdays! 🍹(Margaritas were $5.00)
Playgrounds & Pet Areas
For Kids: Playground, arcade, gaga ball, jumping pillow, and a massive activity field (about the size of a football field!).
For Pets: A fenced dog park and a dog wash station—a lifesaver after beach days!
Location & Nearby Attractions
Camp Margaritaville is ideally located on the Bolivar Peninsula, providing direct access to Crystal Beach and a free ferry to Galveston. Here are some of the top places we explored:
Kemah Boardwalk (Kemah, TX) – A fun amusement area with rides, restaurants, and the Christmas Boat Parade.
San Jacinto Museum (La Porte, TX) – A great educational stop showcasing Texas’ fight for independence. The monument is even taller than the Washington Monument!
Downtown Houston – We visited the city capitol building and admired the skyline.
Levy Park (Houston, TX) – A fantastic city park with holiday events and a unique playground.
Galveston Naval Museum – A must-visit to explore a WWII submarine and a escort ship.
Seawolf Park (Galveston, TX) – Offers scenic bay views, a playground, and even dolphin sightings.
Accessibility
We did not take the ferry with our Class A motorhome. Instead, we drove around the peninsula for a hassle-free arrival. The resort and campsites had plenty of space for big rigs.
Cost & Value
Total Monthly Cost: $951.03 (including pet fees, resort fees, and taxes).
Bonus: Due to a power outage, we received a free extension from January 1–5, 2025.
While this rate is higher than our usual budget stays, it’s a fantastic deal considering the amenities, customer service, and beachfront location.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔ Outstanding customer service.
✔ Resort-style amenities (huge pool, hot tubs, dog wash, etc.).
✔ Ideal location near Galveston and Houston.
❌ Cons:
❌ Power outage during part of our stay (though staff went above and beyond to accommodate guests with free coffee, breakfast burritos, and ice).
❌ Ferry wait times can be long, making quick trips into Galveston a bit challenging.
Final Thoughts & Rating
We 1000% recommend Camp Margaritaville Crystal Beach and plan to return next winter. From the friendly and attentive staff to the well-maintained facilities and beachfront atmosphere, this was one of our favorite stays.
💡 Who is this resort best for?
Perfect for families, retirees, and young adults looking for a beachy, fun-filled RV resort with luxury amenities.
⭐ Our Rating: 5/5 Stars! Even when things weren’t perfect, the staff’s response absolutely was.
👉 Book Your Stay Here: Camp Margaritaville Crystal Beach
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