Padre Island National Seashore

Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach.
Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach.
Small shell fragments in the sand long the beach.
Depending on the conditions, shells can be found along the gulf beaches.
Two deer feed on grass. Their antlers have velvet on them.
Deer can often be seen foraging in the grasslands.
Several sea turtle hatchlings crawl on the sand towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Attending a sea turtle hatchling release is a popular activity in the mid-summer.
A hawk like bird with an orange beak stands on a fence post.
The crested caracara, also known as the Mexican eagle, can be found year-round in the park.
Small wooden structures are seen looking through a wood fence.
The historic Novillo Line Camp provides a window into the island's past ranching history.
Several brown pelicans stand on the sand next to the edge of the sea.
Brown pelicans can often be seen along the Gulf of Mexico.
Photos: National Park Service

About Padre Island National Seashore

Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline Laguna Madre, tidal mud flats teem with life. Native Americans, Spanish explorers and cattle ranchers have walked along its shores. Padre Island National Seashore is waiting to be rediscovered.

Quick Facts

State Texas
Designation National Seashore
State Code TX
Weather Padre Island has long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Summers are very humid. Winter can bring strong cold fronts and gale force winds. Most rain falls near the beginning…

Location & Map

Padre Island National Seashore is located in Texas.

Entrance Fees

Commercial Entrance - Sedan $25.00

Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Van $40.00

Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus $40.00

Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach $100.00

Pass is valid for the day of purchase and the next six days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers.

Entrance - Private Vehicle $25.00

Admits the passholder and up to 15 passengers in the same private (non-commercial) vehicle. It expires one week from the date of purchase. For private vehicles, this entrance pass is required for overnight camping. A 1-day entrance pass is available for $10 per vehicle. 1-day entrance passes expire at midnight on the date of purchase and are not valid for overnight camping.

Entrance - Motorcycle $20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. For motorcyclists, this entrance pass is required for overnight camping. A 1-day entrance pass is available for $5. 1-day entrance passes expire at midnight on the date of purchase and are not valid for overnight camping.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting the facility without a private vehicle. An individual pass is not required for visitors aged 15 and under. It expires one week from the date of purchase. For an individual, this entrance pass is required for overnight camping. A 1-day entrance pass is available for $5 per person. 1-day entrance passes expire at midnight on the date of purchase and are not valid for overnight camping.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups $15.00

Non-commercial groups traveling in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 persons or more are charged per person. This entrance pass is valid for one week from the date of purchase. Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 and younger are free. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry.

Operating Hours

The park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However, park facilities are not open 24 hours per day. Hours for the entrance station, where the required entrance pass is sold, vary from day to day. If the entrance station is not open when you arrive, you can proceed into the park. If you are camping, go back to the entrance station the next morning and obtain an entrance pass. If not camping, pay the entrance fee as you leave if the entrance station is open.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Auto and ATV Auto Off-Roading Astronomy Stargazing Biking Boating Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping RV Camping Fishing Saltwater Fishing Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Junior Ranger Program Swimming Saltwater Swimming Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

The National Seashore is located on North Padre Island, southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitors to the area should head east through Corpus Christi on Highway 358. After crossing the JFK Causeway onto Padre Island, Highway 358 changes to Park Road 22. Continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22 to reach the park entrance.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX, 78418

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $45.00

Admits the passholder and up to 15 passengers in the same private (non-commercial) vehicle or motorcycle. It expires one year from the month of purchase.

Topics & Themes

Arts Schools and Education Animals Birds Fish Tortoises and Turtles Coasts, Islands and Atolls Dunes Geology Night Sky Astronomy Unique Species Endangered

Things To Do

Swimming

Swimming

Splashing in the surf and bodyboarding are a favorite activity along the beach.

Ranger-led Programs at Padre Island

Ranger-led Programs at Padre Island

Discover Padre Island National Seashore with free ranger-led programs like beach walks and deck talks! Explore nature, history, and wildlife…

Become a Padre Island Junior Ranger

Become a Padre Island Junior Ranger

Are you interested in exploring? Would you like to learn more about the national parks that belong to you? Do you want to…

Check-out a Junior Ranger Discovery Pack

Check-out a Junior Ranger Discovery Pack

Families and groups with children can borrow a free Discovery Pack from the Malaquite Visitor Center to explore Padre Island.…

Birding at Padre Island

Birding at Padre Island

The 411 on birding at Padre Islands National Seashore. Where to go and what to bring!

Boating, Paddling, and Windsurfing

Boating, Paddling, and Windsurfing

Explore Padre Island National Seashore on the water.

Visitor Centers

Malaquite Visitor Center

The Malaquite Visitor Center includes an information desk, park store and an exhibit area with information about park history, plants, and animals. Ranger-led programs are…

Hours: The Malaquite Visitor Center is open 9:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 363 days per year. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Campgrounds

Bird Island Basin Campground

Bird Island Basin lies along Laguna Madre with easy access for fishing, birding, windsurfing, and kayaking. There are 35 RV and tent sites and 10…

34 Sites

Malaquite Campground

Malaquite Campground is open to tents and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). It is between the dunes with beach access. There are…

48 Sites

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