Brazos Island
From: TPWD, 2003; The Handbook of Texas Online, 2003.
Brazos Island is a barrier island south of Padre Island, at the south end of the Laguna Madre. It was the spot for many battles during the 1800s. The Brazos Island State Scenic Park is located on this island. The park has a 1 square km undeveloped area and offers ocean fishing, surfing, swimming, camping, and nature study. A major hurricane that hit the island in 1867 destroyed most of the buildings and the once well-developed military port that existed on the island.
Complex sand dunes cover most of Brazos Island. Vegetation on Brazos Island consists of low, shrubby, salt-tolerant vegetation with grasses and herbs interspersed. The area is home to many rare and endangered bird species and also provides nursery grounds for many marine shellfish and finfish.