Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation - View Single Post

Maxden44 · 08-02-2007, 02:10 PM

No reservations needed - it's a national park and the campground is first come, first served, which really isn't a big deal because if the campground is full, you can just walk a few steps and set up your tent on the beach right in front of the campground.

As for directions, since I don't know where you are coming from, it's hard to give accuracte directions - but go to the website at http://www.nps.gov/pais/ and get directions from there. I can tell you this much - from Corpus Christi you take Hwy 358 across the JFK Causeway (onto Padre Island) and keep going straight. It turns into Park Road 22 and goes right into the national seashore park - the road actually ends on the beach. You'll go through an entrance hut where you have to pay to get into the park - it's $10 for 7 days or $20 for a 1 year pass. Then as you drive into the park, you'll see the signs for the campground on the right. The campground costs $8 night for the site and there is a drop box where you are supposed to fill out an envelope and put your money in. Usually there is a campground host (volunteer) who checks daily to make sure people have paid but in the off season, it's on the honor system.

It's usually pretty windy there so make sure your tent has good stakes. At night, the stars go on forever! Oh, and cell ###### don't work there unless you can walk around and maybe find a spot where it will work. We've had to drive into town when we wanted to make a call, which is about 15 miles (although I think there is still a pay phone at the campground) but last time I was there, about 3 weeks ago, my phone rang! It worked for once. I think the wind was blowing just right or something. Shade is essential - there isn't much of it at the beach - so bring your own. We bought one of those easy pop-up shade things and it has really come in handy.

If you do want to drive further down the beach, you can go about 5 miles with a 2-wheel drive vehicle, but after that, you would need 4 wheel drive. But if you like beachcombing for shells, etc. - the best areas are down the beach about 20 miles.

If you want to see a lot of pictures - go into Google and set it on 'Images' and then type in Padre Island National Seashore, or even North Padre beach - something like that. You'll see a lot of good pictures. The picture I have on my ID here was taken at the National Seashore.

Have a great time!! :cool:

08-02-2007, 02:10 PM	#11
Maxden44 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 7	Re: dumb questions about beach camping No reservations needed - it's a national park and the campground is first come, first served, which really isn't a big deal because if the campground is full, you can just walk a few steps and set up your tent on the beach right in front of the campground. As for directions, since I don't know where you are coming from, it's hard to give accuracte directions - but go to the website at http://www.nps.gov/pais/ and get directions from there. I can tell you this much - from Corpus Christi you take Hwy 358 across the JFK Causeway (onto Padre Island) and keep going straight. It turns into Park Road 22 and goes right into the national seashore park - the road actually ends on the beach. You'll go through an entrance hut where you have to pay to get into the park - it's $10 for 7 days or $20 for a 1 year pass. Then as you drive into the park, you'll see the signs for the campground on the right. The campground costs $8 night for the site and there is a drop box where you are supposed to fill out an envelope and put your money in. Usually there is a campground host (volunteer) who checks daily to make sure people have paid but in the off season, it's on the honor system. It's usually pretty windy there so make sure your tent has good stakes. At night, the stars go on forever! Oh, and cell ###### don't work there unless you can walk around and maybe find a spot where it will work. We've had to drive into town when we wanted to make a call, which is about 15 miles (although I think there is still a pay phone at the campground) but last time I was there, about 3 weeks ago, my phone rang! It worked for once. I think the wind was blowing just right or something. Shade is essential - there isn't much of it at the beach - so bring your own. We bought one of those easy pop-up shade things and it has really come in handy. If you do want to drive further down the beach, you can go about 5 miles with a 2-wheel drive vehicle, but after that, you would need 4 wheel drive. But if you like beachcombing for shells, etc. - the best areas are down the beach about 20 miles. If you want to see a lot of pictures - go into Google and set it on 'Images' and then type in Padre Island National Seashore, or even North Padre beach - something like that. You'll see a lot of good pictures. The picture I have on my ID here was taken at the National Seashore. Have a great time!! :cool: