Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

Bryan Beach is a beautiful strip of golden sand on the Texas Gulf Coast.  We found this fine, wide, “natural” beach by studying a visitor’s map of  Clute, Texas and its surrounding cities. The beach isn’t even specifically labeled on the brightly colored tourist maps of the area, and it’s even harder to find official information on the internet! Just ask one of the  friendly locals if you need help with directions. Take my word on this one… Bryan Beach is worth searching out!

Beautiful Bryan Beach, Brazoria County, Texas

Bryan Beach, with its wide expanse of soft sand, is the perfect kite-flying beach. You can walk for miles and beachcomb for a wonderful variety of beach treasures. But look out for the cars and trucks!  They are allowed on the beach here. I understand that weekends can be quite crowded, and it’s no wonder, since you can camp on Bryan Beach free of charge.

Bryan Beach, Texas

The Gulf of Mexico is very generous to the visitors at Bryan Beach. Our collected beach treasures ranged from colorful coquinas to sundials, sea beans and driftwood.  There are plenty of goodies to go around on this lovely, elusive strand.

Bryan Beach Treasures (Photo ©Jody Diehl)

Delicate angel wings adorn the sand at the water’s edge.

Angel Wings in the Sand

According to the  Texas State Historical Association, “The 878-acre park was acquired by purchase from private owners in 1973 and named for James Perry Bryan, who built a home there in 1881 and operated a store at nearby Peach Point. Covered with dunes, some up to ten feet in height, the undeveloped park is home to a wide variety of coastal vegetation, including various grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Native animals include ground squirrels, gophers, grasshopper mice, rice rats, cotton rats, rabbits, and opossums. Shorebirds are common, and waterfowl and other migratory birds can be observed.”

Take County Road 1495 for about 3 ½ miles south and west of Freeport, Texas and you’ll find Bryan Beach State Recreation Area.  We didn’t actually see any evidence that this undeveloped area was a state park. In fact, I was told by the helpful folks at the Freeport Visitor Center that Bryan  Beach is maintained by the City of Freeport.  The only official nod to civilization here is a couple of porta-potties placed near an entry point to the beach!

Have a great day at the beach!

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