Of special concern are animals that face extinction due to human impacts, like sea turtles and birds that depend upon Padre Island for survival. And sea turtles pull themselves ashore in order to lay their eggs in the warm sand.Įach creature that lives here plays a vital role in keeping ecosystems at Padre Island balanced. Tiny invertebrates thrive in the mudflats where they often fall victim to the probing bills of wading birds. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Kennedy (seated at desk) signs a bill to establish the Padre Island National Seashore in Texas.

Jellyfish wash ashore and Ghost crabs scramble to dig in the sand until they reach water. Products available at 8779748 South Padre Island CG Station, TX. All vehicles traveling on Padre Island National Seashore must be. Texas beaches are public highways and all traffic laws apply, including seat belt regulations.

You must turn around at that point and drive 60 miles back north to reach the park paved road. From the water's edge of the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of the Laguna Madre, many animals call Padre Island 'home.' Coyotes and deer roam the dunes, while songbirds flit in the grasslands. It is not possible to drive all the way down to South Padre Island due to this waterway. Padre Island National Seashore provides a vast array of critical habitat types to an even more diverse spectrum of inhabitants. Popular Times to Visit South Padre Island Average Tourist Volumes Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on in 2015-2016. We hope you liked our post on things to do on Padre Island National Seashore on the Texas Gulf Coast.ĭid we miss any popular attractions near this national park? Let us know in the comments.A spotted ground squirrel nibbles on vegetation. We recommend visiting Padre Island National Seashore as a must activity for any True Texan! The national park is located south of Port Aransas and the city makes another great option for those who want to stay in the hotels. Some of them are even oceanfront properties and make for the perfect beach getaway. There are many good friendly hotels with pools in the city. An endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle crawls through lush green vegetation near the sand dunes of Padre Island National Seashore in Texas after laying a. If you do not want to camp but wish to visit Padre Island National Seashore as a day trip, then the best place to stay is in Corpus Christi. The only option to stay on the island is RV camping or tent camping. A cold front moved in so it was only 70 and very windy so it felt a lot colder. The park also does not have any lodges or cabins. Padre Island National Seashore is an undeveloped island and so there are no hotels inside the National Park. Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site Padre Island National Seashore Hotels This is just the perfect holiday in Texas for almost everyone. From the water's edge of the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of the Laguna Madre, many animals call Padre Island 'home.' Coyotes and deer roam the dunes, while.

Padre Island National Seashore provides a vast array of critical habitat types to an even more diverse spectrum of inhabitants. Go for a swim when you get too hot and just lay down and relax on the beach when you get tired. A spotted ground squirrel nibbles on vegetation. If you are not very enthusiastic about water sports but want to cool down then you can enjoy your trip to the island by just swimming in the warm waters. The park has several paddling trails and is one of the best kayaking destinations in Texas. Privately-owned ATVs may not be used within the. If you are a beginner, we recommend the calm waters of the Laguna Madre.Įxperienced kayakers can go sea kayaking on the Gulf waters. Only all-terrain vehicles owned and operated by the federal government may be used within the National Seashore. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding are popular activities in both the open ocean and in the shallow lagoon. Kayak, canoe, or paddleboard the Gulf waters Driving on this part of the beach is tough, and were not in one of the mammoth, high-clearance four-by-fours most visitors favor here. The park also offers windsurfing lessons for those interested in learning. You can either bring your own boards or rent one here at the Bird Island Basin. Padre Island National Seashore is a national park located just outside of Corpus Christi that includes about 70 miles of undeveloped beaches and natural habitat. The best time to go windsurfing is in early spring and fall. The shallow lagoon and an obstructed wind is perfect for the watersport.

South padre national seashore