Winter RV Living on the Texas Gulf Coast: A Snowbird Guide

Every October, a quiet migration begins. RV travelers from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and the northern plains load up their rigs and head south — chasing warmth, fishing, and the kind of winter that does not involve shoveling.

The Texas Gulf Coast is one of the top snowbird destinations in the country, and Matagorda County is one of its best-kept secrets. Here is what you need to know about spending the winter near Bay City, Texas.

Bay City sits at roughly the same latitude as Miami. Winter temperatures along the Texas Gulf Coast are mild by any northern standard:

• December–February average highs: 62–68°F
• Average lows: 44–52°F
• Frost days per year: fewer than 10
• Annual sunshine: over 200 sunny days

You will need a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings. You will not need a snow shovel, a block heater, or a de-icer for your windshield.

The occasional cold front pushes through in January and February — temperatures can drop into the 30s for a day or two — but these are brief. Within 48 hours, you are back to 60s and sunshine.

Texas has no state income tax, and the cost of living in Bay City is well below the national average. Monthly RV rates at Bay City Holiday RV Park start at $425/month — a fraction of what you would pay for a winter rental property in Florida or Arizona.

For snowbirds on a fixed income or a retirement budget, the math is compelling.

Winter is one of the best fishing seasons on the Texas Gulf Coast. Speckled trout move into the shallows of Matagorda Bay as water temperatures drop, and redfish are active throughout the winter months. Duck season runs from late October through late January, drawing waterfowl hunters from across the country.

If fishing is part of your winter plan, Matagorda County puts you in the middle of some of the best inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast.

November is transition month. Temperatures are cooling, the summer crowds are gone, and the fishing is excellent. Speckled trout season peaks. Duck season opens. This is one of the most pleasant months to be on the Texas coast.

Mild and quiet. Christmas in Bay City means 65°F afternoons and the occasional cool front. The town is small and unhurried. Fishing remains good. Matagorda Beach is uncrowded and beautiful in winter light.

The coldest month, but still mild by northern standards. Average highs in the mid-60s. A few cold fronts push through, but they pass quickly. Good month for birding — the coastal prairies and wetlands fill with wintering waterfowl.

Winter begins to loosen its grip. By late February, temperatures are climbing back toward 70°F. Redfish start moving more actively. Spring migration begins in the coastal scrub.

Spring arrives early on the Texas Gulf Coast. By March, it feels like summer is already knocking. Most snowbirds begin their northward migration in late March or April.

Bay City Holiday RV Park offers monthly rates of $425/month, with electricity billed separately. For a 4–5 month winter stay (November through March), your total housing cost runs roughly $2,125–$2,650 in base rent — plus electricity.

Book early. Winter sites fill up, especially for November and December arrivals. If you are planning a winter stay, reach out in September or October to secure your spot.

Clothing: Pack layers. Mornings and evenings can be cool (40s–50s), but afternoons warm up quickly. A light fleece and a rain jacket cover most situations.

Fishing gear: If fishing is on your agenda, bring your inshore setup — medium spinning rods, 10–15 lb braid, and a selection of soft plastics and topwater lures for speckled trout and redfish.

Binoculars: The birding in Matagorda County is exceptional in winter. A decent pair of binoculars opens up a whole additional dimension to the experience.

RV winterization: You do not need to winterize your RV for a Texas Gulf Coast winter, but a few cold nights are possible. Keep your heat tape on exposed pipes if you have it, and know where your water shutoff is.

Fishing — Matagorda Bay, the Colorado River, and Matagorda Beach offer year-round fishing. Winter is peak season for speckled trout.

Birding — Mad Island Marsh, Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and the coastal prairies host thousands of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds.

Beach walks — Matagorda Beach in winter is uncrowded, clean, and beautiful. Shell collecting is excellent after winter storms.

Day trips — Palacios (30 min), Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (45 min), and Galveston (1.5 hrs) are all easy day trips from Bay City.

Community — Long-term RV parks develop real communities over the winter season. Many of our monthly guests return year after year and have built friendships that last well beyond the winter stay.

Bay City Holiday RV Park is a quiet, well-maintained park with full hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry, and an in-town location that puts you close to everything you need. Monthly rates start at $425/month.

Call us at 979-245-1803 or book through RoverPass. Winter sites fill early — reach out now to secure your spot for the season.