A natural gem in the National Park System
Written: Aug 13 '03 (Updated Sep 27 '03)
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Pros: Wild, remote, wonderful beach
Cons: Trash that floats in from everywhere else
The Bottom Line: If you like roughing it and want to experience a totally natural beach environment and have a 4x4, this is a must. But not everyone will think so!
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| prashton's Full Review: Padre Island National Seashore |
UPDATE - September 27 2003 - Check out new travelogue at:
http://focalplane.com/travel/padreisland.html
We've been going to North Padre for over 10 years and one thing is for sure - the scenery is constantly changing. Every storm modifies the beach and at times they can do a lot of temporary damage. So it is hopeless to recommend a campsite or a particular stretch of the beach as all things change with the next spring tide!
Only a small portion of the 80 miles of barrier island is actually developed. The rest is simply a beach on which you can drive. The lowest 55 miles is remote and limited to 4 wheel drive high clearance vehicles. Wrecker don't patrol the beach and you're on your own and your buddies (but everyone is a buddy down island!)
Camping is allowed anywhere on the beach (not in the dunes, marshes or mudflats behind the beach) but there are no facilities. You take in everything you need. Water is the most important commodity. Shade in the summer months probably rates second. Mosquito repellant the third. After that it depends on how much your SUV can carry!
We generally drive at least 30 miles down island before we camp. The beach is a dead end due to the construction of the Mansfield Channel at the southern end, so fewer people attempt the full journey and it is therefore quieter. That's the main reason we make the effort. Such a contrast from bustling Houston.
What to do when you're there? Well the ocean is warm and the surf inviting. The wildlife is excellent and we have seen all sorts of shorebirds as well as some of the mammals (coyotes on the beach at dawn, for example). Never seen a rattlesnake, though they do live there.
We have spent a lot of time photographing the brown pelicans that patrol along the island. We plan on putting a collection of photographs on our website (http://focalplane.com) in the near future. Meantime an example is featured on the home page. Beautiful birds with a prehistoric look about them.
Shelling can be good after the right sort of storm but most of the year there are few good specimens available. Other stuff on the beach is generally an eyesore. Due to prevailing winds and currents North Padre is the depository for most flotsam in the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks Florida, Yucatan, Mississippi for all your garbage! Other not so nice stuff include the occasional Portugese man-o-war.
The National Park operates an excellent visitor center at Malaquite Beach. As well as the usual offices and displays there are excellent communal showers, much needed after a few days camping!
Entrance is $10 per vehicle but the better bargain is the annual pass for $20. The $50 nationwide NP pass also gets you in for no extra charge.
The journey time down beach depends on conditions but two hours should get you at least 30 miles down the island. Allow some time before dark to set up camp (unless you have really good lights) and try to avoid being there during spring high tides as these can run all the way up to the dunes. Obviously the area should be avoided if a storm is in the Gulf as tidal surges can make driving very hazardous.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Wildlife
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Epinions.com ID:
prashton
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Location: Houston, Texas
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Geologist and Photographer - Interested in Nature, Travel, the Arts
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