The Port Isabel Lighthouse stands in Port Isabel, Texas, near the causeway to South Padre Island on the lower Gulf Coast. Built in 1852 and managed today as a State Historic Site by the Texas Historical Commission, it is the only Texas lighthouse open to the public to climb. From the lantern room at the top of the spiral stairs, visitors take in views across the coastal flats toward the South Padre Island beaches.
Best season — Late fall through spring (cooler coastal weather)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
Texas (lower Gulf Coast)
Built
1852
Managed by
Texas Historical Commission (State Historic Site)
Distinction
Only Texas lighthouse open to the public to climb
On the ground
Overlooking the channel between the mainland and South Padre Island, the 1852 brick tower at Port Isabel is the last Texas lighthouse open to the public — a climb up its winding stairs and short ladders ends in a lantern room with views across the coastal flats toward the island's beaches. The Texas Historical Commission manages it as a State Historic Site, with a reconstructed keeper's cottage serving as a museum.
For RV travelers heading to the southern tip of the Texas coast, Port Isabel sits right at the gateway to South Padre Island, making the lighthouse an easy and rewarding stop. The Texas Historical Commission's site has current hours, climb rules, and admission details.
Official sources
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Planning an RV trip near Port Isabel Lighthouse: A Texas Gulf Coast RV Traveler's Guide?
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