Discuss: Padre Island National Seashore - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 11-19-2001, 07:18 PM

Share you comments or questions about Padre Island National Seashore, located in Corpus Christi, Texas.

03-13-2002, 06:56 PM

I have a question about camping down there. Would you recommend taking dogs on a beach camping trip? I have a 2 year old yellow lab. My concern are the rattlesnakes and possibly other things like alligators.

Thanks,
Neal Wingenbach

Shannon · 03-13-2002, 09:21 PM

I already emailed Neal, but wanted to share my response here as well since others may have the same question:

My answer:

Quote:

There are no alligators on Padre Island National Seashore that I'm aware of, so you're safe there. Coyotes are actually probably a greater worry, although a lab is plenty big to be less of a potential target of hungry coyotes (some people HAVE lost small poodles and the like to the coyotes, who are afterall, scavengers.) Rattlesnakes won't be an issue unless you hike in the grasslands, and there's really only one designated hiking trail in the park that qualifies as grassland -- the rest is pure gulf beach hiking and camping (as you're not permitted to camp on or beyond the dunes -- it destabilizes them and causes the island to erode faster.)

I think you'd be fine taking your dog. Just be sure you've got a leash and plenty of fresh water. I think the park service, unlike the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, does not require dogs to be on a leash, but it'd be beneficial to have one to help guide your dog and prevent him/her from getting spooked or chasing after a critter

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

02-04-2004, 01:01 PM

Are camp fires and alcohol allowed in the park?

Shannon · 02-04-2004, 01:18 PM

Welcome to WildTexas.com, DannyO!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyO

Are camp fires and alcohol allowed in the park?

Yes on both counts, particularly if you're camping on the undeveloped portion of the beach.

Obviously, excessive/out-of-control campfires or public drunkenness are not permitted, but otherwise visitors are free to enjoy both activities.

The park's developed campgrounds may be more strict on public alcohol consumption. Check with the park headquarters for their official regulations at the developed sites such as Malaquite Beach Campground.

01-24-2005, 10:15 AM

Hi! I'm new here. I just wanted to no a few things about camping on a beach. Me and my husband do a lot of camping but have never camped on a beach. My question is , is there anything different that we need to do or bring that we wouldn't already do. I mean like do we need different tent stakes. Do we need to build our own fire ring ,this sort of stuff and is Feb. a good month to go in. We don't care for crowded places. I'd appreciate any tips you could give us.

Thanks, Hope your day is filled with lots of smiles and sunshine.
Kay Pokrant :

MissionCamper · 02-24-2005, 10:55 PM

We camped at Padre Island National Seashore last October. Though I enjoyed my stay there, I was not overly impressed with the constant patrolling through the park in the middle of the night. Nor was I too happy with the loud plane that flew over each morning at 5am without fail.

You won't need to worry about crowds. We basically had the beach to ourselves each day we were there. This place IS windy! And without the wind, the mosquitoes can be fierce. Definitely bring DEET with you. Also bring sunblock...else you will fry.

I know all of this probably sounds negative. Truth is, I want to go back! The solitude is hard to beat. You'll get it at PINS.

01ACRViper · 03-16-2005, 04:43 PM

jsut got back from a short little trip, wasn't the best time to go

i had my spring break packed with little outings to various parks in the area, and monday-tuesday was my PINS trip. early on, the weather outlook was great, then thursday before i left it got bad

i still decided to go, and i'm not too disapointed. the weather kept the crowds down, so that was nice. i drove my little car into the 4x4 area, trying to stay on the hard packed beach as much as possible. i did get stuck twice, but even my little gardening shovel had me out in 5 minutes. i'm going to make another trip down in April, hopefully the weather will be nicer and i'll have my new truck by then, now i can go a little further down the beach ^_^

what it looked like both times i got bogged down, nothing too bad

the most sun i saw

they were doing some sort of construction further down the island, every hour and a half or so a big 8 dump truck convoy would rumble down the beach with aggregate in the bed, then come back empty. not sure what was going on, but the ground shaking wasn't the nicest addition to the sounds of the beach

Shannon · 03-16-2005, 06:06 PM

Sadly, the dump truck/construction traffic is probably related to more oil/natural gas drilling being opened up in the National Seashore. Last time I was there, we even had two full semi's drive down island past our tent!

09-16-2005, 11:18 PM

We have a small RV and want to go to Big Shell Beach, but do not know how to get a 4 WD vehicle to get there, assuming that it is too far to walk or bicycle. I cannot seem to find any information other than how many miles it is and that the sand is deep and that a 4 WD is needed with Fix A Flat. Can someone provide some advice or information or tell me where to get accurate information? Thanks!

Shannon · 09-17-2005, 08:52 AM

What more information do you need? Info on 4x4 rentals in the area (there may be one, but I can't think of any offhand), a map of the island, or something else entirely? All the info you posted as having already received is accurate. You'd never get an RV down to Big Shell beach... not matter what's towing it.

MissionCamper · 09-17-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01ACRViper

jsut got back from a short little trip, wasn't the best time to go

i had my spring break packed with little outings to various parks in the area, and monday-tuesday was my PINS trip. early on, the weather outlook was great, then thursday before i left it got bad

We were at Mustang Island SP around this time and yes, the weather was bad. Even considered heading to the bath house for shelter at one point. My trailer sustained some slight hail damage on the roadside. Notta good trip.

That said, we look forward to 3 nights at PINS in about another month.

09-20-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

What more information do you need? Info on 4x4 rentals in the area (there may be one, but I can't think of any offhand), a map of the island, or something else entirely? All the info you posted as having already received is accurate. You'd never get an RV down to Big Shell beach... not matter what's towing it.

We wouldn't drive the RV down there, but would like to park it wherever we could park the closest. I guess we would rent a 4WD, if we knew where to rent one. We also have bicycles, but didn't know if parking the RV and riding bicycles was possible. We didn't know how far we would have to ride. Could you provide a list of 4WD rentals or tell us where the closest place to park would be or if we could bicycle in? Thanks so much for your help!

09-20-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

What more information do you need? Info on 4x4 rentals in the area (there may be one, but I can't think of any offhand), a map of the island, or something else entirely? All the info you posted as having already received is accurate. You'd never get an RV down to Big Shell beach... not matter what's towing it.

More-The RV is a Class C, basically a one ton truck, not a trailer. We live in Central Texas. What would you recommend as the best way for someone in their 50's who can walk or bicycle several miles to get there to visit Big Shell/Little Shell. We have always wanted to go, but never knew how, so we always stayed on North Padra. Also, we never had much time.

06-03-2006, 02:54 PM

Does anyone know how a Large Dirt Bike would do getting around? I'm thinking something like a Honda XL-600cc. Plenty of HorsePower yet still a bike.
Do these workout well on the Rural beach? Could I get to some of these hard to get to places? Or does the sand raise hell with the motorcycle chain?
Which is better to get to the tough to get to places on the beach?