USS Stewart is a historic destroyer escort displayed at Seawolf Park on Pelican Island in Galveston, Texas. The park combines naval history with fishing and picnic areas, making it a place to pair a ship visit with time outdoors.
- Location: 100 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77550
- Park hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Museum admission: Prices range from free to $14, depending on age and eligibility
- From Gaido’s Seaside: About a 13-minute drive
Where are Seawolf Park and USS Stewart?
Seawolf Park and USS Stewart are on Pelican Island, at the address above. The City of Galveston owns the park, which is managed through an interlocal agreement by the Park Board of Trustees.
The park takes its name from USS Seawolf (SS-197), a submarine lost at sea during World War II. The remains of the World War I tanker S.S. Selma lie northwest of the fishing pier; a City document identifies it as the largest concrete ship constructed.
What can you see at Seawolf Park?
USS Stewart and the WWII submarine USS Cavalla are the park’s principal naval displays. The City describes Stewart as one of only three destroyer escorts of its kind. The Galveston Naval Museum says USS Stewart (DE-238) joined Cavalla at the park three years after Cavalla arrived in 1971.
Cavalla was transferred from the U.S. Navy in 1971 and towed to its current berth at the park. The Galveston Naval Museum also operates the sail of USS Tautog (SSN-639) and the conning tower of USS Carp (SS-338). Outside the displays, the park has a fishing pier, picnic areas and a children’s playground.
What are the admission, hours and access rules?
Seawolf Park is open from sunrise to sunset, while the Galveston Naval Museum charges separate admission. The City gives admission prices of $14 for adults age 12 and older, $10 for children ages 5–11, seniors over 65 and veterans, and $9 per person for groups. Active military with ID enter free.
Parking costs $10 per vehicle for one entry, with free parking for people who pay to fish. Fishing fees vary by age and residency: adults ages 12–64 pay $6 for Galveston Island residents and $15 for non-residents; seniors 65 and older pay $3 or $10, respectively; children ages 5–11 pay $3 or $6; and children ages 0–4 fish free.
Park rules prohibit glass, camping, open fires and tents. BBQ pits are allowed, but picnicking and fires are prohibited after dark. Pets must stay on leashes and are not permitted in military displays.
RVs must leave before 9 p.m. After dark, everyone must buy a fishing band, whether or not they are fishing. Overnight fishing is permitted seasonally and requires a new daily fishing band by 6 a.m.
Prices and hours can change, so check the official site before you go. Ask the Galveston Naval Museum whether USS Stewart is open to visitors and what tour hours apply.
How do you get from Gaido’s Seaside Inn to Pelican Island?
Seawolf Park is about a 13-minute drive from Gaido’s Seaside, a Galveston motel.
An Island Transit route map gives Route 5 as Ave S–Stewart Road, but it does not establish a direct stop at the park or a complete trip from the inn.
The museum’s older directions describe reaching Pelican Island via Texas Road 275 and the causeway, or via 51st Street and the causeway, then continuing on Seawolf Parkway; they do not confirm current road conditions. For current park questions, the City gives 409-797-5114.
If you’re planning a broader day around Galveston, the one-day Galveston itinerary from the Seawall includes other stops around the island.
FAQs
Is USS Stewart at Seawolf Park open to visitors?
Ask the Galveston Naval Museum whether USS Stewart is open to visitors and what tour hours apply.
What else is at Seawolf Park?
The park has USS Cavalla, a fishing pier, picnic areas and a children’s playground, in addition to USS Stewart.
How did the museum at Seawolf Park develop?
The Cavalla Historical Foundation has overseen the museum since 1999. The museum changed its name from the American Undersea Warfare Center in 2018. The Strand Historic District and Saengerfest Park offer another historic-area stop in Galveston.