best campground san padre national seashore

Cell phone service is patchy throughout the park. The park has no electric hookups, and the closest gas station and grocery stores are about 12 miles from the park entrance. Park facilities include a visitor center, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic areas, and a dump station.Fishing and boat ramp permits are required. The seashore requires an admission fee, and camping fees also apply.Padre Island National Seashore is 35 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, about a 45-minute drive away crossing the JFK Causeway.The best time for birding is from late fall through early spring, when thousands of seabirds migrate through the park, but wildlife enthusiasts will also want to stop by in summer (from mid-June through August) when sea turtle hatchling releases take place. Prepare for high humidity through the summer months-temperatures can reach 95☏.

With long, balmy summers and mild winters, Padre Island National Seashore is a four-season destination with year-round camping.

Some of the more popular campsites can fill up fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends, so plan an early morning arrival to snag the best spots.

Camping permits are required for all sites, including primitive camping, and are available from the self-serve kiosks at the campground entrances.

All campsites at Padre Island National Seashore are first-come, first-served only-no reservations are accepted.

Best for beach camping: South Beach Primitive Camping has 60 miles of shoreline where you can pitch your tent or park your camper (4WD recommended) right on the beach.

Best for water activities: Bird Island Basin has RV and tent camping sites with easy access to the boat launch and the waters of the Laguna Madre.

Best for ocean views: Malaquite Campground has 48 RV and tent sites with basic facilities on the Atlantic seafront.

Best campground san padre national seashore