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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Padre Island National Seashore |
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PO Box 181300, Corpus Christi, TX 78418-1300
Phone: 361-949-8068 or 361-949-8173
Fax: 361-949-8023
Open All Year
Overview. Sandpipers pluck their way along beaches that are constantly reshaped by waves and wind on Padre Island. One of the Gulf Coast's crucial barrier islands, it bears the brunt of destructive storms and daily surf erosion that would otherwise chip away at the mainland. Sea oats anchor the dunes that form the backbone of this island stretching over 80 miles along the southern Texas coast. Already a haven for about 350 species of birds, the island was declared a national seashore "for purposes of public recreation, benefit, and inspiration." Legends of shipwrecked Spanish galleons loaded with New World treasure have long inspired exploration. Now visitors wander the beaches searching for an escape from urban life among the waving sea grasses and whispering surf of Padre.
What to see and do. Most visitor facilities are concentrated in the Malaquite Beach area, which is your first stop after entering the park. At the wheelchair accessible visitor center, open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. (extended hours to 6 p.m. during summer), look through exhibits featuring favorite sights and activities in the park. Rangers are on hand to answer questions and help you plan your stay. During summertime, take one of the very informative ranger-led beach walks. Knowing more about this ever-changing place can make your stay even more rewarding. Summertime campers can attend evening campfire programs offered by the rangers. Close by the visitor center you'll find the first-come, first-served campground, which accommodates tents and RVs. Once you've picked a spot, think about walking the three-quarter-mile self-guided nature trail. A pamphlet available at the visitor center will introduce you to dunes and grasslands as well as typical creatures living on the island. An 8.5-mile paved scenic drive extends north, and the first five miles of South Beach are suitable for driving. On the other side of the island from Malaquite, one boat launch lets you put motorboats or sailboats into Laguna Madre, the body of water between Padre and the mainland. Calm, protected waters are ideal for water skiing, sail surfing, and sailing.
South of Malaquite, you're on your own; four-wheel-drive vehicles are a must. Undeveloped, pristine beaches invite extended beach hikes, on which you'll see plenty of resident white pelicans, terns, and ghost crabs. Camping on Laguna Madre is limited to one primitive campground maintained by the park service, but otherwise you're welcome to pitch a tent almost anywhere on the Gulf shore beach. Further inland, you may glimpse coyotes or the blacktailed jackrabbit. On the Laguna Madre shore, be sure to spend some time investigating the marshes. Herons and egrets plunge their beaks into the marsh grasses to feed on small fish and crustaceans. Four-wheel-drive vehicles may cruise along the beach the length of the park, but dunes, grasslands, and tidal flats are off-limits. Fishing is excellent on either side of the island. A state license and saltwater stamp are required.
Summers are sometimes hot and always humid, but a swim quickly refreshes.
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Beach |
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Bird Watching |
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Boat Launching |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Gift Shop |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Motor Boating |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Swimming |
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Visitor Center |
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Water Skiing |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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