Cameron County in Texas planned a significant utility overhaul at Isla Blanca Park, a project aimed at modernizing infrastructure and boosting visitor experience.
The work requires the closure of the park’s interior campground beginning October 1 for about one year while electrical, water, and wastewater systems are replaced.
Parks Director Joe E. Vega said the project is designed to upgrade aging systems and improve safety and reliability for park visitors.
He emphasized during a spring public meeting that Isla Blanca Park itself would remain open throughout the construction.
“Isla Blanca Park will remain open and fully operational, with the exception of the RV sites under renovation,” Vega said, as reported by Port Isabel Press.
“All other areas, including the mile-long beach, beachfront pavilions, concessions, boardwalks, jetties, fishing spots, walking trails, boat ramp, amphitheater, and event center, will remain accessible to the public,” Vega added.
The county has opted for a single-phase construction schedule rather than a segmented approach. This method will help reduce costs, shorten the overall timeline, and limit disruptions to visitors once the work is complete.
Weather permitting, the project is expected to take about 12 months.
Vega said the upgrades will position the park to better serve visitors in the years ahead. “These improvements are being made so that everyone can continue to enjoy and stay at our beautiful Isla Blanca Park for generations to come,” he said.
To accommodate visitors during the campground closure, the county will keep 43 exterior RV sites available south of Dirty Al’s Restaurant.
Additional dry camping sites will be introduced, offering access to a sewer dump station to provide temporary alternatives for RV travelers.
The designation came through USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, where editors and travel experts curated a list of top Texas beaches before opening the contest to readers. Isla Blanca received the highest ranking, ahead of Matagorda, Whitecap, and Malaquite beaches. Rockport and Galveston Island State Park also placed in the top 10.