2012 Map of Rock Islands

About this map

The Gulf of Mexico coastline in Taylor County is defined by a complex network of marshy tidal creeks and low-lying coastal islands. The Fenholloway River and Henderson River discharge into the gulf here, creating an intricate shoreline where the terrestrial and aquatic worlds merge. Navigational markers like the Fenholloway River Approach Light indicate the importance of these waters for local maritime access, while inland, the landscape is fractured by Cedar Island Bayou and Pinhook Cr. Small landforms such as Rock Island, Little Grassy Island, and Big Grassy Island dot the nearshore environment. This 2012 survey illustrates the natural state of the Big Bend region, where the absence of developed roads or settlements highlights a coastline preserved in its primitive, water-dominated form, further evidenced by the extensive Oyster Bars and Bird Rock formations offshore.