Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 361-749-5246;
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
; adult/child $5/free; gates close 10pm except to overnight guests)
This
well-equipped park covers 4000 acres and has 5.5 miles of beach. It is popular with
surfers, but given the normally calm nature of the gulf, you may have to wait for storms to
see any surfable waves. Some picnic areas have shade. There are 300 nonreservable
campsites on the beach ($10) that have access to water, showers and rest rooms.
The campsites (a 1.5-mile hike to the facilities from the furthest sites) are a good com-
promise for people who want to wake up to the sound of waves but don't want to dig a
hole to poop. A more formal - and reservable - site with utilities costs $20 per night.
Padre Island National Seashore
One of the longest stretches of undeveloped seashore in the US, the southern part of
Padre
Island
(
www.nps.gov/pais
; Park Rd 22; 7-day pass per car $10; visitor center 9am-5pm)
is administered by
the National Park Service. Its main feature is 65 miles of white sand and shell beaches,
backed by grassy dunes and the very salty Laguna Madre.
The island is home to all the coastal wildlife found elsewhere along the coast and then
some. There's excellent birding, of course, plus numerous coyotes, white-tailed deer, sea
turtles and more. It offers a delightful day's outing for anyone who wants to try a little nat-
ural beauty, or a major adventure for anyone who wants to escape civilization.
Note that Padre Island National Seashore is separated from South Padre Island by the
Mansfield Channel and there is no transport across this gap. South Padre Island, the resort
town, is only accessible from the very south of the state.
The first 6 miles of road into the park are paved. After that are 5 miles of beach to the
south, which has very hard-packed sand suitable for driving most cars. After milepost 5
on the beach, only 4WDs can continue the trip.
The excellent park map is free at the entrance. Besides showing the island in great de-
tail, it has good information about flora, fauna and various activities such as fishing and
beachcombing. If you're visiting in summer, you might be able to take part in a turtle re-
lease; call the
Hatchling Hotline
(
361-949-7163)
for information.
Activities
Hiking & Fishing
