Labonte Park Campground

This a large open field park with a loop road that goes all around the center of the park. Around the loop, roughly every 30/40yards is a small pull-off with a picnic table and trash can. The pull-off’s are large enough for a smaller RV. I’m pulling a tear drop and had zero problems. Even when I had to make a u-turn from the pull-off. There are 3 on site port-a-potties, and I will say, the one I used was exceptionally clean (for a port-a-potty). This park is located directly off the HWY. you will hear road traffic. However, it’s not strong enough to keep you up or anything. Cell reception is ok. You can casually browse internet. I wouldn’t try to upload anything. I watched some YouTube videos no problem. You must email Texas Park N Rec to obtain a free camping permit. You can stay up to 6 nights here. Email Jose Ramirez: JoseR3@cctexas.com

He’ll need your name, car make and color, what nights you’re staying, address, phone #, email and I think license plate number.

Overall this park is safe and at least has a small river that runs by it. It’s not a very glamorous park, nor does it have much to offer or do. But I got a good nights sleep the 2 nights I was there.

We camped here over the weekend in our 42" toy hauler. The sites had plenty of room and were nicely situated off the freeway by a stream. The kids fished in the river, and there was a very large grassy area for them to play on. There was some road noise, and cars drove WAY too fast along the park road. We tried to email city hall to ask for a permit, but no one responded within the 4 days advance notice we gave, and none of the campers around us had any idea how to get a permit either. Eventually ( a week later) someone emailed back, but obviously by then we were gone. Felt very safe, and a great place to visit corpus cristi along our journey east. ATT service was good.

Free camping at Labonte Park in Texas is available with a free camping permit courtesy of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation. Located on the Nueces River, Labonte Park offers free camping with 20 RV campsites. All campsites have scenic riverfront views. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 32.3 Mbps download speed and 8.29 Mbps upload speed. AT&T cellular service clocked in at 31.2 Mbps download speed and 8.54 Mbps upload speed. T-Mobile cellular service clocked in at 3.26 Mbps download speed and 8.70 Mbps upload speed.

We stopped here on our way to Padre Island when the big freeze landed in Texas. The city allowed us to hunker down for the duration.
There was freeway noise but far better than a rest stop or truck stop.
We had no problems with the locals and the park was quite during our time there with occasional RVs stopping for a night or two.
Quick easy stop before entering the city.

We squeaked under, but friendly park officer says the 12'6" underpass occasionally floods, leaving only the 10'10" underpass, or you will have to back up the off-ramp to get back on the freeway. From southbound, easy off easy on. If you're coming from the South, just pass the Labonte exit and turn around at the next one to approach from the North.

Four stars for what it is, a very nice rest area, very close to Corpus Christi.

If you are the type who would never stay in a rest area overnight, this place is not for you - road noise is pretty bad. But for the rest of us, it's a great find - right on the river, not crowded, lots of space to walk the dog, and the price is right.

The park seemed safe to us. It is well used for fishing (google alligator gar) but unlike a few of the other reviewers, we didn't get any kind of uncomfortable vibe and no noise at night except for road noise. We stayed mid-week.

After visiting the website, 3 phone calls, 3 emails and a visit from Officer Friendly, we FINALLY managed to provide all the info that they wanted for a permit. Here you have it.

*Name and drivers license number of permit holder and total number of guests
*Address
*Phone number
*Email
*What days do you want to stay?
*License plates and Make/Model/Color of all vehicles

They will hunt you down (in a very nice and professional way) until you give them all this info. You can call City Hall 361 826 3464 or email JoseR3 at CCTexas DOT COM.

Three day limit but Officer Friendly said they would offer an extension for another three days.

Verizon 40 down, 14 up. ATT was even faster.

No issues staying here in our 30 foot class a. Nice large open spots by a creek (and the highway). When first arriving a police officer came by to make sure we were doing alright. He also told us not to leave things out at night because of people stealing. We got the required permit by emailing a city hall person but no one seemed to care much if we had one or not. Overall, nothing special but it’s a free place to stay and that’s all that matters.

As I pulled in saw the cops with their lights on across the park and this happened a few more times. Right before I was going to bed a guy knocked on my van and asked to use the phone because his girlfriend beat him up. He had blood all over him. I did help him out but this definitely would not be safe for the average solo traveler. Skip this park!

Nice free place to dry camp. The park was pretty quiet while we were there during the week. There is a lot of highway noise since you are looking out at the highway to the east. There is a river to the west.

I called Corpus Christi City Hall the morning that we were going to arrive. They sent an email requesting all the information that you need to provide. They then emailed the permit. There was no need to go to City Hall. Both AT&T and Verizon worked well here.

Note that the Northbound I-37 exit is only for the park. There is a 12ft 6in bridge that you must cross under to get to the park from that exit. The southbound I-37 exit has no bridge, so if you are higher than 12' 6", then use only the Southbound I-37 exit.

ATT: 6 Mbps DL / 9 Mbps UL
Verizon: 30 Mpbs DL/17 Mbps UL