Facility Overview

Riverside Park is an expansive 100-acre regional municipal park and outdoor recreation haven nestled directly along the lower Colorado River in Bay City, Texas. Located at 7330 FM 2668, the facility offers well-maintained, open-air surface parking specifically configured to accommodate day-use visitors, river anglers, boaters, and campers. Completely rebuilt and modernized following regional hurricane restoration efforts, the parking grounds blend paved asphalt lots surrounding the central park administration office and day-use pavilions with heavy-duty gravel and stabilized grass parking aprons along the waterfront and wilderness loops.

Because the park is entirely open to the Texas sky, there are no overhead clearance structures or parking deck height barriers to worry about. Headroom is virtually limitless, making this facility ideal for high-clearance four-wheel-drive trucks, lifted SUVs, commercial utility vans, conversion vans, and full-size recreational vehicles (RVs) up to 60 feet in length. Dedicated pull-through and deep back-in parking stalls easily fit long boat trailers and dual-axle watercraft haulers with ample turning radiuses.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Located just southwest of downtown Bay City, Riverside Park serves as the premier riverfront gateway in Matagorda County. Outdoor enthusiasts, birders, anglers, and vacationers will find several top local destinations within moments of parking:

• Rio Colorado Golf Course: Located immediately adjacent to the park grounds (less than a 1-minute drive or short walk), this public 18-hole championship course designed by Gary Player offers scenic wetlands play along the river bluffs.
• Colorado River & Riverside Rally Loop: Steps from the parking area, visitors have direct water access via concrete boat ramps and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department designated Riverside Rally Loop paddling trail.
• Historic Downtown Bay City & Courthouse Square: Located approximately 4.5 miles (an 8-minute drive) north, featuring historic architecture, boutique shopping, and regional dining along Avenue F and 6th Street.
• Matagorda County Museum & Children’s Museum: Located 4.5 miles away in downtown Bay City, showcasing pioneer history and artifacts from the La Salle expedition ship La Belle.
• Matagorda County Birding Nature Center: Situated about 5.5 miles north, offering 35 acres of botanical gardens and premier birdwatching trails along the river corridor.
• Matagorda Beach & Gulf Coast Waters: Located roughly 22 miles south via Highway 60 and FM 2031, providing a quick day trip for surf fishing and coastal beach drives.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating to Riverside Park is straightforward from all directions across the central Texas coastal plain. Drivers traveling from Houston or Victoria follow Texas State Highway 35 (SH 35) into Bay City, connect to State Highway 60 (SH 60 South) for approximately 3 miles, and turn southwest onto Farm to Market Road 2668 (FM 2668) for roughly 1.6 miles before reaching the park entry gate on the right. Ingress and egress are serviced by wide two-lane rural roads that provide smooth entry even when towing heavy trailers.

Due to the tranquil, rural nature of Matagorda County, there are no light rail or metro lines servicing the area. Regional mobility relies on personal passenger vehicles, utility trucks, and demand-response county transit vans. Exiting the facility during high-attendance holidays or weekend fishing tournaments is consistently smooth, as FM 2668 connects directly to major arterial bypasses around Bay City without urban gridlock.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Generously sized vehicle stalls with zero vertical clearance limits.
• Boat & Trailer Parking: Dedicated long stalls adjacent to the concrete boat, kayak, and canoe launch.
• On-Site Park Office & Ranger Station: Staffed administration building providing on-site oversight, information, and check-in services.
• Self-Service Watercraft Rentals: App-based Rent.Fun kayak rental station located right on the riverbank for quick Colorado River excursions.
• Picnic Pavilions & Event Spaces: Large covered pavilions (Tejas Pavilion and Colorado Cove Pavilion) equipped with tables, BBQ pits, and dedicated group parking.
• Modern Restroom & Shower Facilities: Clean, ADA-accessible restrooms with hot shower stalls and an on-site laundromat.
• Outdoor Fitness & Nature Trails: Mile-long jogging trail featuring a 10-station workout course and pedestrian paths through native oak and pecan groves.
• Security & Lighting: Gated entry access, night illumination around central lots, and routine patrols by Bay City park staff and local authorities.

Ideal For

• Boaters & Anglers: Quick access to the concrete river ramp for bass, catfish, redfish, and trout outings on the Colorado River and Hossey Slough.
• Golfers: Convenient parking for visitors teeing off at the adjacent Rio Colorado Golf Course.
• Campers & RV Travelers: Complete utility-ready sites for long-term vacation stays or weekend river retreats.
• Paddlers & Kayakers: Hassle-free equipment unloading and app-controlled rentals for river trail exploration.
• Family Reunions & Day Visitors: Group pavilions, shaded playgrounds, and spacious lawns perfect for weekend barbecues and gatherings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Day-use vehicle entry is charged at a flat rate of $10 per car (which includes boat launch privileges), payable upon entry at the park ranger station. Credit cards are accepted on-site, though note that a small municipal convenience fee may apply, so carrying exact cash can speed up check-in on busy sunny mornings. Boaters planning to launch on peak weekend mornings or during regional fishing tournaments should arrive early to secure preferred pull-through trailer stalls near the ramp. If you plan to rent a kayak via the self-service station, downloading the Rent.Fun app in advance is recommended to ensure seamless equipment unlocking along the water.