How to Plan Your Perfect Trip to Padre Island National Seashore
Looking to spend a fun-filled day at the beach with family and friends – or maybe score some alone time listening to the rhythm of splashing waves and bird calls? If you love sun, sand, and solitude, Padre Island National Seashore is a great place to spend a day – or a week or two – enjoying the southern Texas coast. Located along the Gulf of Mexico, this park protects nearly 70 miles of beautiful white sand beaches and important coastal ecosystems.
Read on to find out why you should make Padre Island your next vacation destination, plus learn some tips for planning your beach adventure.
Padre Island National Seashore – The World’s Longest Barrier Island
At 113 miles long, Padre Island is the world’s longest barrier island. While South Padre Island is known for its vibrant resort community, North Padre Island is known for its quiet beauty and miles of white sand beaches. Padre Island National Seashore, located on North Padre Island, protects 66 miles of beaches, as well as one of the last coastal prairie grasslands in the United States.
The park is important to many Indigenous peoples. It is located on the homelands of, or is culturally important to, the Karankawa Kadla, the Lipan Apache, the Comanche, the Tonkawa, and the Pamaque. Spanish settlers colonized the area many years after the first Indigenous peoples inhabited it, and the remains of shipwrecks still wash up on shore from time to time.
Today, the national seashore is known as a family-friendly vacation and outdoor destination. The park’s remoteness and lack of cell service make it a great place to escape from the modern world and enjoy the surf and sunshine.
Padre Island National Seashore Highlights
Padre Island National Seashore is a great place to visit year round, with temperatures ranging from 50 degrees in the winter to 90 degrees during the summer time. In addition to being a great place to cool off during the hotter months, you may also want to plan your trip to Padre Island during this time to watch a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle release.
Top Spots in the Park
In addition to enjoying the miles of beaches, you’ll want to check out these park spots at Padre Island National Seashore:
- Malaquite Beach: Accessible via the Malaquite Visitor Center, this 4.5-mile long beach is closed to motorized vehicles. This makes a great place for families to enjoy the water.
- Grasslands Nature Trail: This short paved loop trail is an easy walk through one of the last coastal prairie grasslands in the United States. It also includes interpretive signage so you can learn more about this unique ecosystem.
- Bird Island Basin: This campground provides boat and swimming access to the Laguna Madre, one of the best areas in the park to enjoy the water and watch birds.
Biodiversity and a Premium Birding Destination
The park is known for its biodiversity. Inside the park you’ll find the Laguna Madre, one of six hypersaline lagoons in the world. The water in the Laguna Madre is much saltier than the nearby ocean, which creates a unique environment for many different species of wildlife.
Padre Island is located on the Central Flyway bird migration route, and over 300 species of birds visit the seashore each year.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchling Releases
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtles in the world, and they are also critically endangered. These turtles return to the same beaches to nest every year. Padre Island National Seashore staff puts great effort into protecting and monitoring the turtle nests. Conservation groups also work to protect the hatchlings and release them en masse into the wild, to give the turtles the greatest chance of survival.
If you visit Padre Island National Seashore from mid-June to August, you may have the opportunity to see a hatchling release. These events often occur at Malaquite Beach in front of the visitor center. In addition to watching thousands of sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean for the first time, you also may have the opportunity to take pictures of the baby turtles. Be sure to contact the park ahead of time to learn when and how to view a sea turtle release.
Want to show your love and support for these incredible lands?
Shop WNPA’s collection of apparel, books, collectibles, and more!
Things to Do at Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. Popular activities include beachcombing, boating, and fishing. Kayaks and windsurfing equipment are also available for rent within the park boundaries. Some other fun activities include:
- Visiting the Malaquite Visitor Center and Park Store: At the visitor center you can get important information about the weather and tide conditions, see exhibits about wildlife, and enjoy the picnic area. It’s also a great opportunity to learn what types of special ranger-led educational programs are happening in the park, or pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. The park store also offers a variety of practical items and special keepsakes to enrich your park experience.
- Stargazing: The remote location of the seashore makes it a great place to enjoy the night sky.
- Camping: You can camp at Malaquite Campground, Bird Island Basin Campground, or even along the beach itself.
- Birding: The variety of ecosystems within the park make the seashore a great place to see different species of birds.
- Driving Down Island: With the majority of the seashore open to motorized vehicles, driving down island is a great way to see Padre Island on wheels. The National Park Service has a list of tips for those interested in this activity, including information on what vehicles are best for this journey and the supplies you’ll need.
The seashore is dog friendly and has a variety of accessibility accommodations, including beach wheelchairs, which you can borrow from the visitor center free of charge.
var jQ = jQuery.noConflict(); jQ(document).ready(function(){ jQ(window).load(function(){ var mySwiperG = new Swiper ('.swiper-container-gallery', { slidesPerView: 1, spaceBetween: 15, allowTouchMove: true, //freeMode: true, preloadImages: false, lazy: true, autoplay: { delay: 6000, }, scrollbar: { el: '.swiper-scrollbar', hide: false, }, navigation: { nextEl: '.swiper-button-next', prevEl: '.swiper-button-prev', }, breakpoints: { // when window width is >= 640px 578: { slidesPerView: 'auto' } } }); }); });
It is important to note that Padre Island National Seashore lacks cell service and gas stations, and has a limited number of areas to purchase food and beverages. In order to make the most of your trip, stock up on any supplies you may need in Corpus Christi.
Make a Stop in the City: Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas, is a waterfront city known for its beaches, seafood, and shopping.
It also has a variety of attractions including the Texas State Aquarium, one of the largest in the United States, and the Selena Memorial, dedicated to beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. History lovers may want to pay a visit to the USS Lexington. There’s plenty to do in this coastal town that won’t break the bank, so you might want to add it to your national park trip itinerary.
It’s best to shop for groceries, purchase camping supplies such as firewood, and buy any other items that you may need in this gateway city. You can then access Padre Island National Seashore by taking TX 358E to Park Road 22.
Know Before You Go
Keep the following in mind when planning your visit to Padre Island National Seashore so that you can make the most of your experience while there.
- This park is remote. Cell service is either nonexistent or unreliable throughout the entire park. There are also no gas, lodging (besides camping), laundry, dining, groceries, post offices, fishing licenses, or medical facilities available within park boundaries. Purchase all the supplies you will need ahead of time, and have a plan for medical emergencies.
- Navigating can be a challenge. The National Park Service recommends that you input the specific GPS coordinates into your navigation device to find the visitor’s center, as opposed to relying on Waze or Google Maps. This is because GPS systems often place the visitor center several miles away from where it actually is. You can access this information here.
- You cannot drive to South Padre Island from the National Seashore. This is because the North and South islands are separated by a waterway. In order to reach the South Island, you must drive back inland and then make the three to four hour journey to South Padre via the highway.
- Practicing water safety is a must. Stop by the visitor center to get information about tides, including rip tides. There are no lifeguards on duty. Packing a first aid kit is recommended as there may be stinging animals, such as jellyfish, on the beach.
- Respect the wildlife. Do not touch wildlife. You can contact park staff via a hotline if you see an animal in distress.
- It’s also always a good idea to pack what you need to be prepared—and make sure that you have everything you need to create great memories of your trip.
Packing List
We recommend bringing the following items on your trip to Padre Island National Seashore.
- Water supplies, such as a swimsuit, towel, beach toys, coolers, and umbrellas.
- Sport gear you may need, such as fishing poles or paddle boarding equipment.
- Sun protection items, such as sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, or long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Water bottles and water, so you can stay hydrated. Bring any food you may need as well.
- Camping supplies, including firewood.
- If you choose to drive down island, be sure to fill up your gas tank and stock up on any supplies you may need. Check that your vehicle is appropriate for the terrain.
- First aid kit.
- Rain gear.
In addition to the above packing list, you can learn about the specific conditions or park events at Padre Island National Seashore by contacting the park directly. Download the NPS app to access park maps, information, and learn about what other attractions are nearby.
Padre Island National Seashore is a family-friendly destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the beach in a quiet and slow-paced setting.
Remember to check weather conditions and alerts at nps.gov, book campsites when prebooking is available at recreation.gov, pack appropriately, and respect the natural environment to ensure a safe and enjoyable beach adventure. Start planning your trip today!
Want to help preserve these significant lands for generations? Your donation supports kids’ programs, research, Indigenous artists’ demonstrations, and more!
