Mustang Island State Park or Padre Island National Seashore? - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

BoWin123 · 05-23-2006, 04:58 PM

My wife and I just found out that we don't have to work this weekend and are wanting to get away. We would like to try out beach camping and getting sand in all those weird places

. We have pretty much narrowed our destination down to two possibilities: Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore.

Which is better for someone with a two-wheel drive pickup? From what I've read in this forum and on other sites, PINS seems to be the better of the two locations, but is this only for people with 4x4's who can get past the 5-mile marker? With this weekend being Memorial Day weekend, is beach camping going to be extrememly crowded in the 2WD accessible areas of either park?

Thanks everyone.

--Bo

Turn Key · 05-23-2006, 08:33 PM

Hi Bo and welcome aboard. Hope we can help a bit.

Haven't been to PINS so can't help there. As far as Mustang Island goes, we've been there once but didn't stay. Saw nothing wrong with it. Just not to our liking. RV camping is just two rows in a straight line. Kind of like camping in a parking lot. Beach camping would probably be OK. I assume there is some kind of limit on the number of beach campers and if you don't already have reservations, there will probably be no sites/room available. If you decide on Mustang, I would definately give them a call and make sure you can get in. Here's a site address that should give you the info you need:

Mustang Island State Park

Many like Mustang Island and as said, we saw nothing wrong with the park. We just have different ideas about camping. No matter where you end up, I hope you have a great weekend. I envy you some. DW and I have to work and we know there will be no last minute reprieve

. Again welcome aboard and as always,

Happy Camping!

campermom · 05-23-2006, 09:02 PM

We have camped PINS twice. Both times were great fun, went to the 10 MM. I do have a 4x4 but only needed it the second trip ( saved our hides / high tides from Hurricane in the gulf / saw 4 RVs lost to the surf.) Usually, the beach driving conditions are fine for 2wd. Call ahead for driving conditions. The best part is the solitude. You have to bring fresh water. PINS fee is $10 good for 7 days. If you get there after hours, well...it's free.

We have also camped at Padre Balli Park, a Nueces County park with 2 shower houses. Tent sites were about $8/night. If you take a tent site in the Camping/parking lot with grass, you have to use the pay showers. If you camp in an rv site, you can use the free shower house. The loops are just behind the dunes but it is still very windy and even more humid. There is a great fishing pier called Bob Hall where I've spent countless hours last summer fishing. Its lit and open all night. People catch sharks off the end, and reds, trout, pompano, whiting, and others all along the pier. They have a concession stand, tackle rentals, boogie board rentals, bait, and misc beach gear. If you are traveling with kids, this is where I'd go. If it is solitude, go down PINS, 4 1/2 MM should be nice. Pack light, and if the sand is soft, don't stop.

I haven't camped Mustang yet. But, the facility map looks like Turnkey said, like a parking lot. If it's me and the family, we do PINS, if it's just me and my son, Bob Hall is the place. If you pick Bob Hall and change your mind, the Best Western on the Island was $86 night, 7 minutes from the pier and continental breakfast. Those nasty looking motels are $55! The circle K on the corner of Park road and Whitecap has cheap ice.

All this talk makes me want to call in sick and go coastal!
Have a great weekend and be sure to post up a report upon your return.

MissionCamper · 05-24-2006, 01:20 AM

We've camped at Mustang Island SP twice and Padre Island NS once (you can get potable water on your way into PINS, they have it there).

IMHO, there is no comparing the two...PINS is far and away the better choice! We stayed in the Malaquite area and were within walking distance of the water. The solitude was incredible, but then we didn't go during a major holiday weekend either. The stars at night and the sounds of the surf lulling us to sleep was an experience we truly enjoyed. The winds are gustier at PINS than at MISP, but this helps keep the mosquitoes at bay. As you've indicated, sand (and salt) will get into everything.

MISP is like the others here have said, it's little more than a parking lot...for the RV's. Tenters will probably see little difference other than a greater influx of people.

There are coyotes and snakes in both parks, so take the proper precautions... especially at night when storing food. Keep the coolers inside your vehicle.

PINS doesn't take reservations, so it could also be your best opportunity since MISP may already be booked solid for the upcoming busy weekend.

BoWin123 · 05-24-2006, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. They've been very helpful. I think we've finally decided to camp at PINS.

We'll be heading down either Thursday night or very early Friday morning (it's about a 6 hour trip from College Station) so I'm hoping that we won't have too much trouble getting a site in the no-reserve beach camping areas.

I'm really looking forward to the trip and I will be sure and follow up with a report of how it went.

--Bo

BoWin123 · 05-25-2006, 12:27 AM

Another minor question: are there any restrictions on glass containers on the beach at PINS? If we're camping and drinking from bottles but not being a problem (picking up our trash, not being annoying), is anyone likely to say anything or check our cooler?

--Bo

campermom · 05-25-2006, 06:23 AM

Broken glass and sand do not mix well. That's what cans are for, besides, they cool down faster and are lighter.

06-21-2006, 03:58 PM

I promised I would follow up on our PINS trip. Well, it took me a while, but I've written it up. Go to http://wingocamping.blogspot.com/ to read about it.

We had a great time, and I would suggest that anyone who is curious about beach camping or enjoys beach camping head down to Padre Island.

BoWin123 · 06-21-2006, 04:00 PM

I promised I would follow up on our PINS trip. Well, it took me a while, but I've written it up. Go to http://wingocamping.blogspot.com/ to read about it.

We had a great time, and I would suggest that anyone who is curious about beach camping or enjoys beach camping head down to Padre Island.