Padre Island National Seashore Home Page

Padre Island
National Seashore

Draft Oil and Gas Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement

Padre Island National Seashore encompasses 133,000 acres of America's vanishing barrier islands. It is the longest remaining undeveloped barrier island in the world. White sand beaches, interior grasslands, ephemeral ponds and the Laguna Madre provide habitat for coyotes, waterfowl, reptiles and amphibians, nesting sea turtles, ground squirrels and snakes. While providing food, water and shelter for a multitude of diverse wildlife, the island remains a mecca for tourists. From sun bathing to wind surfing to fishing, the island provides recreational opportunities for everyone needing to feel the wind in their faces and the surf on their feet.

VISITATION

Padre Island National Seashore receives an average of 800,000 visitors per year. The majority of the visitors are from the regional area.

LOCATION

The seashore is located on Padre Island, on the Gulf of Mexico, southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas.
For directions, see below.

MAILING ADDRESS

Padre Island National Seashore
P.O. 181300
Corpus Christi, Texas 78480-1300

PHYSICAL ADDRESS

Padre Island National Seashore
20301 Park Road 22
Corpus Christi, Texas 78418

VISITOR CENTER TELEPHONE

(361) 949-8068 Voice
(361) 949-9951 Fax

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS

The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., during the winter. Summer hours are extended. The visitor center is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

The gulf shore is usually hot and humid. Occasionally, during the winter months, it can be cold and damp. Shorts, tee-shirts and a hat are recommended. During the heat of the summer, sunscreen is highly recommended. Footwear on the beach is recommended due to the intense heat of the sand. Plenty of drinking water is always recommended.

DIRECTIONS

The seashore is located southeast of the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Visitors to Corpus Christi should head East through the city on South Padre Island Drive (Highway 358). After crossing the JFK Causeway and the bridge onto Padre Island, continue about 10 miles south on Park Road 22.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation to Padre Island is limited. One may be able to reach the visitor center by taking a taxi. There is no commercial transportation to the island.

FEES, COSTS, RATES

There is a $10 entry fee. This is a vehicle fee and is good for seven days. Anyone walking and riding bicycles into the park will be charged $5. This is also good for seven days. Commercial tours must pay a flat fee, based upon the bus capacity. An annual park pass may be obtained for $20. At Bird Island Basin, there is a day use fee of $5 (annual pass for $10). There is an $8 per day fee for camping at Malaquite Campground.

VISITOR CENTER/EXHIBITS

A twelve-minute orientation program at the Malaquite Beach Visitor Center Auditorium offers insight to the wonders of the park. Safety and orientation materials are available.

TRAILS & ROADS

Located near the Park Entrance Station is the Grasslands Nature Trail. The self-guided trail is a 3/4 mile loop. During the summer, it can be very hot, as well as mosquito infested. Be prepared to carry water, wear a hat and have mosquito repellent. The trail gives unique glimpses into the interior grasslands of the barrier island. You may expect to see a variety of birds as well as some of the highly specialized reptiles.

There is only one paved road into the park. However, beach driving is permitted. The gulf beach is open to conventional vehicles for the first five miles. It is recommended that only four-wheel drive vehicles venture beyond that point. A good jack, shovel, spare tire, boards or rags (for getting out of the sand), and plenty of drinking water are suggested for down island travel. Vehicle traffic is limited to properly licensed and registered vehicles. Off road vehicles are prohibited, as is driving in the dunes.

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

The park conducts a number of programs during the year. These include beach walks, mini-talks, campfire programs and a variety of children's programs. There are few public programs offered during the winter, as programming is geared primarily toward environmental education for school children. Please call (361) 949-8068 for program information.

LODGING AND CAMPING FACILITIES

There is no lodging in the park. However, there are motels on the island. Camping is permitted in two designated camping areas. The Malaquite Beach Campground is semi-primitive, providing only water, rinse showers, picnic tables and designated sites ($8 fee required). There is a dump station prior to entering the campground. Bird Island Basin is also a designated campground. A $5 per day fee, or a $10 annual fee, is charged at Bird Island Basin. For all intents and purposes, Bird Island Basin is totally primitive. There are pit-toilets only. Primitive camping is allowed on the gulf side of the island. Tenting or camping in the dunes is strictly prohibited.

Food/Supplies

Padre Island Park Company provides a merchandising operation which includes minimal camping supplies, sandwiches and drinks. It also includes unique gifts, decorative accessories and apparel. The concessioner also offers beach rental equipment, including chairs, umbrellas, inner tubes and body boards. The concession operation is usually open in conjunction with the Visitor Center. The concessioner can be contacted at (361) 949-9368.

OTHER CONCESSIONS/NPS-MANAGED VISITOR FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Worldwinds Windsurfing, located at Bird Island Basin, is an authorized concessioner of Forever Resorts and offers wind surfing rentals, lessons and sales. Wet suits are available for rental, along with sailboards. Worldwinds offers lessons for the beginner as well as the seasoned windsurfer. Lessons can be given with or without equipment. Private lessons for every level are available. For more information, you may call Worldwinds at (361) 949-7472.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Malaquite Beach Visitor Center is fully accessible. There are graded ramps to the exhibit area as well as accessible restroom facilities. Access to the beach is also provided. However, wheelchairs tend to bog down in the soft sand.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES / PARK USE

The park is noted primarily for its white sandy beaches. Recreational activities include swimming, surfing, wind surfing, bird watching, shelling, beach combing, sun bathing, driving down island, camping and fishing.

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS

Camping is accommodated on a first-come basis. No reservations are accepted.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS