Area activities

Fishing — According to a Texas A&M study, of the nearly 1 million recreational visitors coming to Calhoun County annually, more than 80% name sport fishing as their primary reason for selecting this destination.  Some of the very best saltwater fishing in Texas is available in the area.

Sailing — Open bays and friendly winds are suited for sail boarding and sail boating.

Hunting — A wide range of hunting opportunities are available in Calhoun County.

Birding — A migratory flyway for 400 species of birds passes through Calhoun County.  In addition, the area is a wintering ground for numerous species including the endangered Whooping Crane. The opportunity to see these tall birds brings thousands of visitors to the area each winter. The seasonal influx provides a bonanza of bird watching to complement the vast array of year-round bird residents, particularly waterfowl and shore birds such as the Roseate spoonbill, Brown Pelican, and a dozen varieties of egrets and cranes. Several birding facilities have been established throughout the area including a 2,200-foot wetlands walkway and birding tower at the Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary.

Wildlife Preserves — The Calhoun County area includes internationally recognized wilderness preserves.  Among others, the 70,000-acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge draws visitors from around the world each year.  Habitat protection for birds and other wildlife is the main mission of the refuge.

Historic Sites — Pass Cavallo provided Calhoun County with the deepest natural port on the Texas coast in the period before the 20th Century.  This meant the area played an important role in the development of trade and commerce in Texas.  Spanish and French explorers first came to the area.  Later, European colonists arrived at the port at Indianola.  It was, at one time, the largest and busiest port in Texas with a population of more than 5,000.  The county was the site of Fort St. Louis, major Indian battles, Civil War encounters and one of the first railroads in Texas.