Transportation
Bolivar peninsula is actually a barrier island so arriving from Galveston must be via Ferry, private or chartered boat or plane. Arriving to the east end of Bolivar, you take HWY 124 from Winnie, TX. See our Contact Us page for directions from Houston or Beaumont.
The favorite mode of arriving on Bolivar that most folks imagine is via the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry, and it is the only free and public method of crossing from Galveston to Bolivar. The ferry crosses the 2.7 miles across Bolivar Roads (or the Houston Ship Channel) in a quick 15-20 minutes. The ferry is operated by the Texas Department of Transportation and runs 24-hours a day, taking both vehicles and walk-ons for free.
During the peak tourist season, long lines can make the ferry route a second choice for folks living in central or east Houston or Beaumont. Those folks may prefer to get to Bolivar by way of I-10 to Winnie, TX and HWY 124. Once you have arrived, HWY 87 is the main road that runs the entire length of Bolivar and takes you to Canal City, just east of Gilchrist.