Padre Island National Seashore

Explore a National Park in Corpus Christi, Texas

The most significant undeveloped barrier island in the world is 30 miles south of Mustang Island State Park. The Padre Island National Seashore offers more than 130,000 acres of dunes, grasslands, and beaches – a national park and a haven for all sorts of family-friendly activities, it’s an untouched paradise of federally-protected wildlife.

Immerse yourself in the fauna and flora that populate this marshland environment with a short stroll along the Grasslands Nature Trail. The Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program allows visitors to watch freshly hatched sea turtles begin their lives in the Gulf of Mexico's open waters. Malaquite Visitor Center holds a breathtaking observation deck for wildlife viewing. Along Malaquite Beach, visitors scavenge for small shells deposited by north currents at Little Shell Beach and comb through the sands of Big Shell Beach for larger shell discoveries. Whichever activity you partake in, it's safe to say that Padre Island National Seashore is a beachside paradise for a gorgeous getaway.

HOW TO GET THERE

You can access Padre Island National Seashore from S Padre Island Dr to Park Road 22. Just keep going until you hit the entrance! For GPS systems and digital map services, enter "Malaquite Visitor Center" as the waypoint.

FEES & PASSES

A standard vehicle can gain entry into the park with a $25 fee. Be sure to check out the Padre Island National Seashore website for a full list of entrance fees and passes for all vehicle types.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotels: Lively Beach, Hawthorn Suites, Holiday Inn Express
Camping: Malaquite Campground, Bird Island Basin Campground
Food: Padre Island Burger Company, Doc's Seafood & Steaks, Snoopy's Pier, Island Joe's Coffee & Gallery

WHAT TO KNOW

Entrance Fee Required
Limited Cell Service
Restrooms on Site
Outdoor Showers Available
Pets Allowed on Leash
Open 24/365

WHAT TO LOVE

Malaquite Visitor Center
Sea Turtle Releases
Camping
Off-the-Grid
Birding Wonderland
Stargazing
Excellent Beachcombing
Boat Ramps

How do I get to Padre Island National Seashore?

You can access Padre Island National Seashore from S Padre Island Dr to Park Road 22. Just keep going until you hit the entrance! For GPS systems and digital map services, enter "Malaquite Visitor Center" as the waypoint.

Where can I drive on the beach on Padre Island National Seashore?

4WD is always recommended for driving on the beach.

When conditions allow, driving is permitted on North and South Beach. Traveling on the beaches beyond the paved road is done so at your own risk. Your safety is your responsibility. 2WD vehicles are allowed up until Mile Marker 5, but 4WD is recommended. Be sure to check the tide conditions before heading out.

General Rules:

Protect the Dunes. Do not drive behind the dunes, over areas of beach covered in vegetation, on tidal flats or wetlands.
Right of Way. Northbound traffic has the right of way. Watch for pedestrians.
Do Not Block Traffic. Keep the main driving lane clear when parking or camping on the beach.

If you don’t have a four-wheel drive vehicle you can still enjoy the seashore at Malaquite Beach. Parking is available at Malaquite Visitor Center.

What are the tide conditions?

Beach conditions change daily. Before heading out, be sure to check the tide conditions here.

Can I access South Padre Island from Padre Island National Seashore?

It is not possible to drive from the park, located on North Padre Island, directly south to South Padre Island. An artificial waterway, Mansfield Channel, cuts through Padre Island at the southern end of the national park. The only way to drive from North Padre Island to South Padre Island is by driving inland to Corpus Christi, down Highway 77, and back out to the south end of the island — a driving trip of 3-4 hours.

How do I camp on Padre Island National Seashore?

Camping in the park is open year-round. However, primitive beach camping may close temporarily due to hazardous conditions such as coastal flooding. Check the weather report and tide chart before your visit.

All camping in the park, including at developed campgrounds, is first come, first served. No reservations are accepted. Park entrance fees are required. A seven-day pass or annual pass are required for overnight stays.

To camp at Malaquite Campground or Bird Island Basin Campground, fill out a camping permit and pay your camping fee at the self-registration kiosk at the entrance to the campground.

No electric or water hook-ups are available in the park. An RV dump station and freshwater filling station is located next to the entrance of Malaquite Campground. It is available for all park visitors to use.

Cellular service is very limited in the park. Make a plan to check in and out with a family member or friend before you arrive to the park.

SEA TURTLES

During the summer, you may notice reflective lollipop stakes in the sand near the dunes. These red markers serve a fundamental purpose in protecting Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) and their nests. Since the turtles and their nests are difficult to see, biologists use these reflectors and flagging tape to mark their locations to avoid them being crushed by vehicles on the beach. By making these delicate areas more visible, these markers ensure that drivers steer clear of them.

It is imperative that the reflectors remain undisturbed until the biologists remove them once the nest has been recovered. If you witness someone tampering with the reflectors, sea turtle nests, or eggs, act quickly and report the incident by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 or notify any park official in the vicinity.