Padre Island National Seashore is a park in Texas, United States of America. Located along the south Texas coast, Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. Here, you can enjoy 700 mi (1,100 km) of sandy beaches, wind-carved dunes, vast grasslands, fragile tidal flats, and warm, nearshore waters.

Understand

History

Padre Island has remained a wilderness for most of its existence. From the time of the earliest Amerindians to the present day, development has never really touched the barrier island, except within the last 100 years. The island has been claimed by four flags: Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States. The island's grasslands made it a very popular grazing ground for local ranchers.

In 1962, the federal government set aside a 70-mile length of the barrier island as a protected area, especially for rare species such as Kemp's ridley sea turtle, one of the rarest sea turtle species in the world.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

By car

From Corpus Christi, take the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway to Padre Island and then follow Texas Park Road 22 south to the park entrance.

Fees and permits

The park entrance fee is $15 per vehicle (for that day), or $25 for 7 days. An annual park pass may be obtained for $40, and is valid for a year after the day of purchase. Please note that this is a pass to Padre Island National Seashore only.

There are several passes for groups traveling together in a private vehicle or individuals on foot/bike that provide free entry to Padre Island National Seashore and all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests:

• The $80 Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. Military personnel can obtain a free pass by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID.
• The $80 Senior Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and age. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities. Seniors can also obtain a $20 annual pass.
• The free Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities.
• The free Volunteer Pass is available to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
• The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.

The National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on five days every year:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January); next observance is January 20, 2025
• The first day of National Park Week (third Saturday in April); next observance is April 19, 2025
• The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
• National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday in September); next observance is September 28, 2024
• Veterans Day (November 11)

Get around

The roads are simple. There's only 3. Beach Access is in two places: - North: usually ok for 2wd. Smaller section of beach, but it's before the park entry station so people often opt for this. - South: on the south side of the Malaquite Visitors Center, Park Road 22 runs into the beach. The first few miles are usually ok for 2wd; 4wd or AWD is recommended for anything past mile 5.

No driving on the beach area between North and South Access points. This includes the beach in front of Malaquite Visitors Center.

Buy

Malaquite Visitors Center is open daily 9-5. Selection is limited. Operated by Western National Parks Association (WNPA).

Sleep

Note that no reservations are taken for camping. Call Malaquite Visitor Center at +1 361 949-8068 to check on availability in the campgrounds. Space is almost always available on the beaches, unless they are closed due to unusually high tides.

Go next

• South Padre Island, a small resort town on the southern tip of Padre Island

Routes through Padre Island National Seashore

Ends at ← Corpus Christi ←

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