Yellow flowers bloom in the dunes along Malaquite Beach. Photo: NPS Photo/ Thomas DiGiovannangelo

Padre Island National Seashore

National Seashore · Texas

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.

  • LocationCorpus Christi, TX
  • Entrance $25 private vehicle
  • HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
  • Weather now95°F Patchy rain nearby
  • Alerts 4 active alerts

Overview

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.

Topics
  • Animals
  • Arts
  • Astronomy
  • Birds
  • Coasts, Islands and Atolls
  • Dunes
  • Endangered
  • Fish
5 more topics
  • Geology
  • Night Sky
  • Schools and Education
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Unique Species
Small shell fragments in the sand long the beach.
Depending on the conditions, shells can be found along the gulf beaches. — NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

Alerts (4)

CautionHigh tides forecasted for October. Check the tide chart. Several days of over 2.0 ft tides are forecasted during the month of October, including 2.6 ft tides at the end of the m… Read more

Several days of over 2.0 ft tides are forecasted during the month of October, including 2.6 ft tides at the end of the month. Be sure to check the tide chart and weather forecast when planning your trip.

More on NPS.gov about High tides forecasted for October. Check the tide chart. (opens in a new tab)
CautionCanine distemper is believed to be present in the park. Contact with saliva from wild animals can transmit distemper to pets, including from but not limited to water bowls, foo… Read more

Contact with saliva from wild animals can transmit distemper to pets, including from but not limited to water bowls, food bowls, trash etc. Distemper is not a threat to humans but can be deadly to pets. Ensure your pets are vaccinated or keep them home.

InformationBe aware of changing beach conditions

Beach conditions are changing frequently. Check current tide charts and weather forecasts before traveling on the beach.

More on NPS.gov about Be aware of changing beach conditions (opens in a new tab)
Information4-wheel drive recommended for beach driving

4-wheel drive is recommended if driving on North and South Beach.

Camping

2 campgrounds listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.

  • Campground Registration

    Bird Island Basin Campground

    Not reservable on Recreation.gov 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 additional tent-only…

    Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, TX (361) 949-8068 Directions

    Details
    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 additional tent-only sites. All sites are side by side on gravel. The tent-only sites are walk up to a sand flat. This area is also for day use activities. Vault toilets are available at the north and south ends with day use areas in between.
  • Gravel sites viewed from boardwalk

    Malaquite Campground

    Not reservable on Recreation.gov 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 designated…

    Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX (361) 949-8068 Directions

    Details
    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 designated paved and gravel camp sites, restrooms, cold water showers, and picnic tables. Some sites have grills and shade structures. No hookups but a dump station and potable water are on the road to the campground. Campers with a paid site in the campground can pitch a tent either at the site or on the beach in front of the campground.

Facilities & Services

Find passes and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Permits & Passes

Other Visitor Services

  • Malaquite Visitor Center

    Malaquite Visitor Center

    Facility

    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…

    Details
    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 available during the summer season. A shaded picnic area is available on the deck. Restrooms are available across the deck from the visitor center. Wheelchair users can borrow a special beach wheelchair from the visitor center at no charge. An accessible ramp goes from the deck down to Malaquite Beach.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Open 24 hours, daily · Overall park access hours

Hours details
  • Overall park access hoursOpen 24 hours, daily

    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.

Entrance fees

  • $25Private Vehicle
  • $20Motorcycle
  • $15Per Person
All 8 fees & details
  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25

    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

    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

    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

    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.

  • Private Vehicle$25

    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.

  • Motorcycle$20

    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.

  • Per Person$15

    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.

  • Non-commercial Groups$15

    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.

Passes

  • $45Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
  • Annual Entrance - Park

    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.

Weather

95°F
Patchy rain nearby · feels like 106°
  • Today 95° 82°
    Patchy rain nearby
    68% rain
  • Tomorrow 90° 80°
    Light rain shower
    83% rain
  • Saturday 89° 76°
    Light rain shower
    78% rain

Updated 3 hr ago

What to expect by season

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%.

Upcoming Events

6 coming up
  • Community Event: National Night Out

    Oct 1, 2026 · 05:00 PM–08:00 PM RMB Fairgrounds 1213 Terry Shamsie Blvd. Robstown TX 78380 Free

  • Community Event: Paws & Pumpkins Trunk or Treat Event

    Oct 10, 2026 · 05:00 PM–07:00 PM Corpus Christi Animal Care Services 2626 Holly Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78415 Free

  • Community Event: KEDT Kids Festival

    Oct 17, 2026 · 09:00 AM–01:00 PM KEDT Studio 3205 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi Free

  • Entrance Fee Free Day - Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday

    Oct 27, 2026 · 12:00 PM–11:45 PM Free

Show 2 more events
  • Sunrise Yoga: Halloween Edition 🎃

    Oct 31, 2026 · 07:00 AM–08:00 AM Malaquite Visitor Center rooftop deck. The rooftop is accessed by two flights of stairs. Free

  • Entrance Fee Free Day - Veterans Day

    Nov 11, 2026 · 12:00 AM–11:45 PM Free

Photos

Getting There

20420 Park Road 22
Corpus Christi, TX 78418

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.

Full directions

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.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 181300, Corpus Christi, TX 78480

Map loads when you scroll here