Padre Island National Seashore

Looking for a great place to spend the day? A naturally beautiful and historic national seashore is just a short drive from Port Aransas, Texas. Padre Island National Seashore is the longest section of undeveloped barrier island in the world, stretching over 130,454 acres. This national seashore, located on North Padre Island, just south of Port Aransas, Texas is full of great outdoor activities, history lessons, beach camping and more. Visitors to Padre Island National Seashore enjoy bird watching, boating, camping and horseback riding on the beach and water activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and windsurfing. Padre Island National Seashore welcomes over half a million visitors each year.

A visit to Padre Island National Seashore can be a very educational experience. Vast efforts have been made throughout its history to preserve the natural state of the national seashore area. The barrier island’s rare terrain made up of coastal prairie and a dynamic dune system protects one of few hypersaline lagoon environments in the world, the Laguna Madre. The national seashore is home to numerous marine and terrestrial plants and animals, some of which are rare, threatened or endangered species. Padre Island National Seashore is also home to over 350 species of migratory and resident birds. Special events and programs, including beach walks, mini talks, campfire programs and bird watching walks, offered at Padre Island National Seashore are a great to learn more about the national seashore’s history, animal life and more.

Padre Island National Seashore is well known for its turtle population. It is home to Kemps Ridley, Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. Padre Island is the primary nesting area of the Kemps Ridley in the United States. A staff at the national seashore is part of an effort to save the Kemps Ridley, the most endangered species of sea turtle. The National Seashore incubates Kemps Ridley eggs found along the coast and releases the baby sea turtles into the Gulf of Mexico once they have hatched. Visitors are invited to watch most of the hatchling releases free of charge. Baby sea turtles are released at Padre Island National Seashore from May through September.

Pets are allowed at Padre Island National Seashore, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Camping areas are offered on a first come, first served basis and there are no hook-ups at the national seashore. Weddings can be held on the beach with a special use permit.

PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE HOURS

The national seashore is open seven days a week year-round. The visitors center open daily except for Christmas day and New Year’s Day.

PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE ADMISSION

Entrance into the national seashore is $10 per vehicle. The permit pays for entry into the park for up to 7 consecutive days. An annual pass to the national seashore is available for $20.

PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE CONTACT INFORMATION

20301 Park Road 22
Corpus Christi, Texas 78418

MALAQUITE VISITOR CENTER

PO Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480-1300

Visitor Information: (361) 949-8068

Hatchling Hotline: (361) 949-7163

 

20420 Park Rd 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

(361) 949-8173
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