Beaches
Camping
Featured
Padre Island National Seashore
70 miles of wild beach with sea turtle releases and shell hunting. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.
Ages
3–18+
Cost
Paid
Duration
~5h
Difficulty
Easy
Setting
Outdoor
The longest undeveloped barrier island in the world stretches 70 miles along the Texas Gulf Coast and feels like the edge of civilization. Kids can hunt for seashells on miles of empty beach and during summer the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle releases at the Hatchling Release Program are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Malaquite Beach has a visitor center with showers and the campground sits right on the sand.
Pricing
Around $25 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, covering everyone in it; developed campgrounds charge on top, while dispersed beach camping is included with the pass (verify)
Common Questions
- How much does Padre Island National Seashore cost?
- Padre Island National Seashore charges admission. Around $25 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, covering everyone in it; developed campgrounds charge on top, while dispersed beach camping is included with the pass (verify)
- What ages is Padre Island National Seashore good for?
- Padre Island National Seashore is best for kids ages 3 to 18+.
- Is Padre Island National Seashore stroller friendly?
- No, Padre Island National Seashore is not considered stroller friendly.
- Can I bring my dog to Padre Island National Seashore?
- No, dogs are not allowed at Padre Island National Seashore.
- How hard is Padre Island National Seashore?
- The difficulty level is easy. Plan for about 5 hours.
- Is Padre Island National Seashore free?
- No, there is a cost to visit Padre Island National Seashore. Around $25 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass, covering everyone in it; developed campgrounds charge on top, while dispersed beach camping is included with the pass (verify)
- What should I bring to Padre Island National Seashore?
- Tent and sleeping gear, headlamp, bug spray, layers, drinking water
- How long does Padre Island National Seashore take?
- Most families spend about 5 hours at Padre Island National Seashore.
- When is the best time to visit Padre Island National Seashore?
- Spring and fall for mild nights; book well ahead for summer weekends