Padre Island National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, and the longest barrier island in the world with the largest stretch of undeveloped ocean beach in North America. It is 30 miles north of Mexico; and while the 2-1/2-mile-long Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway links to the mainland, the John F. Kennedy Causeway connects visitors to the north to the National Seashore. Along the 70 miles of protected coastline you can find three national park campgrounds with little to no amenities— except for the million dollar views.
One traveling to the North side of the island should be aware that there is no access from the South end to Padre Island National Seashore due to an unbridgeable channel that cuts the island in two. It is recommended for visitors seeking the National Seashore to arrive in Corpus Christi (about 100 miles north of Brownsville) and travel on Park Road 22 via the John F. Kennedy Causeway to the destination. Once on the North end of Padre Island, guests would follow Park Road 22 south for about 15 miles to then arrive at Padre Island National Seashore.
“Our campgrounds are primarily dry camping and they are remote with no gas or grocery stores,” said William Botts, education coordinator at the Padre Island National Seashore. “This is a place for you to get away from it all and camp on a pristine beach, something that you don’t find very often.”
All campgrounds are open year-round. No reservations are accepted, as camping is first-come, first-served. Campers, including beach campers, must have a camping permit, which is available from the kiosks at the entrances of each campground.
The National Seashore is mostly prairie/grasslands with ephemeral marshes and ponds bordered on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. [Photo/NPS]
Padre Island National Seashore offers campers a campground tucked in the dunes, with a view of the Gulf of Mexico called Malaquite Campground. The site is located just half a mile north of the Malaquite Visitor Center. Fees run at $8 per night ($4 with Interagency Senior or Access Pass). There are 48 paved, semi-primitive designated sites. Six sites are for tent camping only and the remaining 42 have RV camping available as well as tents. Small campfires are permitted on the beach in front of the campground. Again, campers will need to obtain a permit and deposit camping fees at the self-registration kiosk near the Malaquite Campground entrance. The amenities include flush toilets, cold-water rinse showers, grills, picnic tables, and shade structures. A free gray/ black water dump station and potable water filling station are located along the entrance road.
South Beach at Padre Island includes 60 miles of shoreline, from the end of the main park paved road south to the Mansfield Channel and is free with a permit. All 60 miles of beach are open to primitive tent or RV camping. Driving on the beach is at your own risk. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended beyond the “Four-wheel Drive Only” sign at mile marker 5. South Beach has no designated sites and no facilities, so bring plenty of water. A vault toilet and dumpster are located at the beach entrance. Potable water, flush toilets, and cold-water rinse showers are available at the Malaquite Visitor Center Pavilion.
North Beach is the northern most one mile of beach within Padre Island National Seashore. Campers using North Beach should obtain a free permit at the self-registration kiosk located at the entrance to North Beach and enjoy free camping. North Beach is open to primitive tent or RV camping as well. Once again, driving on the beach is at your own risk, and there are no designated sites and no facilities. Bring water with you.
There is no place to get gas once you enter the park and the nearest gas station is about 14 miles north of the park entrance. If traveling down island, it is recommended to bring items such as a shovel, water, food, jumper cables, extra fuel, first aid kit, tow ties, wooden planks, spare tire, and jack and other tire-changing equipment, 5-gallon bucket, and vinegar for jellyfish stings.
With urban sprawl continuing to threaten wildlife, Padre Island remains a place where nature, not shopping outlets or casinos are the attraction and where people can experience solitude under a night sky filled with bright starlight.
“There are some museums and lots of other amenities in Corpus Christie, but I think you’ll find this place has enough to keep you busy if you camp here,” Botts said. “Padre Island is certainly unusual in regards to the amount of marine debris that washes ashore here due to the currents. You can spend all day looking for shells and unusual objects.”
According to Botts, the island was first inhabited by Native American people of the Coahuiltecan and Karankawa tribes. Four countries have also claimed the land: Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, and the United States.
Situated along the Central Flyway, Padre Island is a globally important area for over 380 migratory, overwintering, and resident bird species. There are also many species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, mollusks, crustaceans, plants, and fish that can be found in the park. The most endangered sea turtle in the world, the Kemp’s Ridley, nests here more often than at any other location in the country.
Be aware though that Padre Island is also a hit with college kids on spring break. Every spring a South Padre Island tradition begins for college party-goers. Located on five acres of beachfront at Texas' southern tip, Coca-Cola Beach is a free spring-break experience, featuring loud music 24 hours daily for nearly a month. More than 100,000 college students descend on Coca-Cola Beach. Since 1995, Coca-Cola has sponsored the event, giving away free soft drink products around the clock. Also, as a spring break tradition, Coca-Cola sponsors the beach recycling and cleanup efforts. You may want to plan your trip for either before or after the festivities.
If basic boondocking on the beach isn’t for you, there are 600 RV spots nearby at Isla Blanca Park, South Padre Island KOA and Andy Bowie Park. The KOA offers up to 80-foot pull-through sites and all sites have 50-amp hookup facilities. There is a pool, hot tub, exercise room, a pet playground, restaurant & bar, and propane for sale. In addition, the park has a boat launch and also offers furnished condos and waterfront lodges. Whichever you choose—primitive or upscale— you won’t be disappointed.