Padre Island National Seashore

Okay, first of all, let’s be clear. There are two distinct Padre Island atmospheres: Padre Island National Seashore and South Padre Island. These two destinations may share a name, but confuse them and you could be in for some awfully big surprises.

Padre Island National Seashore boasts the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world, which means this destination is all about beachside beauty and the quiet ambiance of getting away from it all. From amazing sunsets and quiet walks on the beach to bird watching and encountering the occasional deer sprinting from the underbrush, you will experience countless Kodak moments. During the spring and fall over 380 bird species can be seen including mocking birds, cardinals, meadowlarks, skimmers, hawks, egrets, storks, whooping cranes and pelicans. You may also happen upon sea turtles, white tail deer and coyotes.

A deer on the shore in Padre Island
Of course, if you prefer to get your pulse racing, there are ample opportunities. Windsurfing, kayaking and sport fishing are all popular here. But don’t go looking for rental shops, you have to bring your own gear. And, while the sandy trails and untold miles of undeveloped land make it highly tempting, you should leave your motorized toys in your hauler. ATVs, dune buggies and dirt bikes are prohibited in the park.

So, if you are heading through South Texas and you want to spend a day or two totally immersed in nature, listening to nothing but the call of waterbirds and waves crashing on the beach, add Padre Island National Seashore to your travel itinerary.

SIDE TRIP

On the northern tip of Mustang Island about a half hour drive from the National Seashore Park, the laid-back town of Port Aransas offers beachside family fun, Texas style. From the park, just take TX-361 north along the water and you’ll run right into town.

  • Enjoy fishing tournaments in the summer and charter opportunities all year.
  • Other watersports include kite surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, surfing and kayaking
  • Explore the island lifestyle boutiques and restaurants using the convenient in-town trolley service.
  • At the Mustang Island Art Gallery (www.mustangislandartgallery.com) view paintings, sculpture, pottery and photography by nationally known artists.

Malaquite Visitor Center
GETTING THERE

The National Seashore is located southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. The physical address for the Malaquite Visitor Center is 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418.

  • Coming from the Northwest, head east through the city on Highway 358. After crossing the JFK Causeway onto Padre Island, Highway 358 changes to Park Road 22. Continue about 10 miles south. At one point Park Road 22 becomes S Padre Island Drive. No, you are not on South Padre Island. Yes, that is confusing. Just keep cruising.
  • Coming from the Northeast, you may want to take the scenic route, through Aransas Pass and across the Corpus Christi ship channel via the free ferry. And, don’t worry, the ferry transports big rigs and motor homes all the time. However, on weekends and holidays, traffic can stack up, so, before you reach town, tune to AM 530 for ferry information.

For travel information about Port Aransas, including Ferry Schedules and trolley service in town, visit www.cityofportaransas.org.

WHERE TO STAY

The first two campgrounds on our list are outside the park limits and offer more “in town” amenities, while the latter are inside the park but lack full hookups. While there are two additional campsites inside the park, North and South Beach, we don’t recommend them unless you have a light popup camper, a 4×4 tow vehicle, some 2×4s and a ton of patience.

Pioneer RV Resort (www.campingfriend.com/PioneerBeachResort) – About 17 miles north of the park entrance, Pioneer is still only a short stroll down the boardwalk to some fabulous Gulf beaches. The park is large and the sites are easy to navigate. Excellent facilities. Talk to your neighbors. More than a few are long-term “winter Texans” and they can give you the skinny on local goings-on.

  • Full hookups – electric (50 amp), water & Sewer
  • WiFi & Cable TV
  • Pull-Thru sites with big rig access
  • Laundry facilities
  • Pool access
  • Family friendly
  • Pet friendly

Pioneer RV Resort is located at 120 Gulfwind Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373. Call 361.749.6248 for reservations and more information.

Fishing off the coast

Padre Balli Park (nuecesbeachparks.com) – located on the north side of Padre Island on Park Road 22, this is a no frills county park with an incredible view of the Gulf of Mexico. The park offers 54 paved sites with water and electric hookups. No sewer but there is a dump station nearby.

  • Electric (50 amp)
  • Water
  • Bathhouse & Outdoor rinse shower for beachgoers
  • Big rig access
  • Family friendly
  • Pet friendly

For reservations and more information, call 361.949.8121
15820 Park Road 22
Corpus Christi, TX 78418

The following campgrounds, inside the National Seashore Park, are open year-round. No reservations accepted. While there are no RV hookups inside the park, there is a gray/black water dump station and a potable water filling station off of the entry road to Malaquite campground. For camping permit information and park regulations, call 361.949.8068.

Malaquite Campground: $8.00/night. Tucked in the dunes just half of a mile north of the visitor center this site offers a terrific view of the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Flush toilets
  • Cold-water rinse showers
  • Picnic tables and grills
  • Shade structures

Bird Island Basin: $5.00/day. Located on the Laguna Madre, this site offers fantastic opportunities for kayaking, boating, birding and fishing – if you have your own gear.

  • Boat launch
  • Chemical toilets

BEFORE YOU GO

Remember, there’s not much out there, so stock up on fuel for you and your rig. Also, a few days before you arrive, call the park office and ask about red tide. While it’s not a common problem, it can ruin your trip and turn a beautiful stretch of undeveloped shoreline into a lingering bad memory.

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