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San Bernard River RV Park Brazoria, Texas Since 2004

Birding

Birding around the San Bernard River.

Two national wildlife refuges, a stretch of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and some of the state's top Christmas Bird Counts — all a short drive from your site.

San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge is about 20 minutes from the park. It's free to visit and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Walk the accessible Bobcat Woods Trail and Boardwalk (2.5 miles) through riverside forest, drive the auto tour past freshwater sloughs and marshes, or stop at the Moccasin Pond observation deck.

In winter, Texas Parks & Wildlife points birders to the refuge for Sprague's Pipits, LeConte's and Grasshopper Sparrows, and Ash-throated Flycatchers. Refuge visitor info ↗

Wide view across the San Bernard River

Christmas Bird Counts nearby

Three counts on the Upper Texas Coast circle land within an easy drive of the park. Dates below are the compilers' tentative dates — confirm on Houston Audubon's count list before you book.

Freeport Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, December 20, 2026 (tentative)

Consistently one of the top ten counts in Texas, and it finds more species than any other count on the Upper Texas Coast.

San Bernard NWR Christmas Bird Count

Date to be announced

Takes birders into parts of the refuge not normally open to the public, with 180 or more species most years.

Brazoria–Columbia Bottomlands Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, January 2, 2027 (tentative)

Covers the bottomland hardwood forests of Brazoria County, with the countdown dinner at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.

Tree-covered picnic lawn at San Bernard River RV Park

More stops on the birding trail

  • Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge — about 30 minutes. The Big Slough Auto Route and boardwalk; best birding November through January.
  • Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary — out past Freeport near Quintana Beach County Park (about 25 minutes). Salt cedars draw warblers, orioles, and tanagers in spring migration.
  • Bryan Beach — about 20 minutes. Waterbirds gather at the mouth of the Brazos River, including plovers.
  • Gulf Coast Bird Observatory — in Lake Jackson, about 20 minutes. Runs bird banding, ID classes, and field trips.

Beaches and things to do nearby →

Stay for the season

RV sites from $45 a night or $250 a week, or $450 a month plus electric. Call to check dates around count week.

Birding questions

How far is San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge from the park? +

About 20 minutes (8 miles) to the refuge on County Road 306, by Google Maps.

Is there a fee to visit the refuge? +

No. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service charges nothing to visit San Bernard NWR public use areas, which are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

When are the local Christmas Bird Counts? +

The Freeport count is tentatively set for December 20, 2026, and the Brazoria–Columbia Bottomlands count for January 2, 2027. The San Bernard NWR count date is announced by its compilers. Check with Houston Audubon before you book.

Can I stay for the whole winter? +

Monthly RV sites are $450 a month plus metered electric, with water, sewer, WiFi, and the washateria included. Call us to check availability for your dates.

979-864-0294