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National Seashore · Texas

Padre Island National Seashore

National Seashore in Texas. $25 per vehicle.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Seashore
StateTexas
Entrance fee$25 per vehicle
Campgrounds2
Nearest national parkBig Bend (390 mi)
Closest airportCRP (50 mi)
Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach.
Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach. Photo: NPS Photo/ Thomas DiGiovannangelo

Padre Island National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service in Texas.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Swimming: Splashing in the surf and bodyboarding are a favorite activity along the beach.
  • Ranger-led Programs at Padre Island (5 to 120 Minutes): Discover Padre Island National Seashore with free ranger-led programs like beach walks and deck talks! Explore nature, history, and wildlife while enjoying the Gulf shoreline or chatting over coffee with a ranger. Check the NPS App or visitor center for schedules and pop-up events.
  • 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 learn how you can help protect these special places? If so, become a Padre Island Junior Ranger! The Junior Ranger activity books are appropriate for all ages and are a great way to learn about the
  • 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. Each pack includes an activity guide, field guides, binoculars, magnifiers, and more.
  • Birding at Padre Island: The 411 on birding at Padre Islands National Seashore. Where to go and what to bring!
  • Boating, Paddling, and Windsurfing: Explore Padre Island National Seashore on the water.
  • Driving Down Island: One of the most popular activities to do when visiting the national seashore is to drive on the beach and travel down island. Venturing beyond the pavement can get you to some of the most remote areas of the park, awarding you the experience of solitude in this natural landscape.
  • Fishing at Padre Island National Seashore: Cast a line and soak in the day at Padre Island National Seashore.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. 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.

Camping

Campground Sites Booking From RVs Amenities
Malaquite Campground 48 First come $14 Yes dump station, showers, water
Bird Island Basin Campground 34 First come $8 Yes, up to 45 ft none listed

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) Corpus Christi, TX No road route 50 Regional
Valley International Airport (HRL) Harlingen, TX No road route 60 Regional
Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) Brownsville, TX No road route 79 Regional
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) San Antonio, TX No road route 184 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Malaquite Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. The Malaquite Visitor Center is open 9:00a.m., 5:00 p.m., 363 days per year. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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 and end of hurricane season (Jun 1 - Nov 30). Average seasonal temperatures (Fahrenheit): Spring - high 70s-80s, low 50s-60s; Summer - high mid-90s, low 70s; Fall - high 70s-80s, low 50s-60s; Winter - high 50s-70s, low 30s-40s. Year-round, average wind speed ranges from 5-25 miles per hour. Relative humidity seldom drops below 70%.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Big Bend, about 390 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Padre Island National Seashore?

$25 per vehicle.

Where is Padre Island National Seashore?

In Texas. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Corpus Christi International Airport, about 50 miles away.

Can you camp at Padre Island National Seashore?

Yes, at 2 campgrounds the park service lists.

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