The beach is deserted, save for some seagulls wading along the shore. It’s such a different sight from the summer, where it’s just sand for miles and miles. The sand dunes are covered in flowers, vines, and other vegetation, making them fun to climb up and explore. Winters tend to be mild, so the temperature isn’t too bad. Visiting Padre Island National Seashore in the Winter You might not think of visiting the beach during the winter, but if you’re a nature enthusiast, that can be the best time to go. We love visiting Padre Island National Seashore in the Winter to get out of the house and learn more about nature and the world around us. We’ve been spending lots of time at my parents’ house on the Texas Gulf Coast, and sometimes it can be hard when cabin fever sets in. Home Padre Island Laguna Madre Fishing Previous PageĬopyright © Texmaps and Carson Map Company, Inc.Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Trust for Public Land. You can get current weather and beach conditions by calling (361) 949-8175. Bird Island Basin Use Fee $5 per day or $10 annual. Vehicle Entry Fee $10 per vehicle, Annual Pass $20. The park is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Important historical sites and events on the Island include the 1554 shipwrecks, the wreck of the Nicaragua, the forgotten ports of Griffin's Landing and Murdock’s Landing and the remnants of Patrick Dunn's ranching empire. The bill finally passed in 1962, and after five years to acquire property rights, The park opened in 1968. Yarborough of Texas introduced a bill providing for the establishment of a National Park on Padre Island. However, the Don Patricio Causeway was destroyed by a hurricane in 1933 and plans for Island development came to a halt.Ī new causeway opened in 1950 and in 1958 United States Senator Ralph W. When the first causeway to Padre Island opened in 1927, development began to occur and many people started to talk about creating a state or national park on the Island. Its wide, white beaches and tall foredunes become broken by extensive washover channels and low-lying tidal flats. The "Devil's Elbow," is actually a point of tidal convergence that has wrecked many otherwise seaworthy vessels.įrom mile marker 30 to the end of the park at the Mansfield Channel (mile marker 60), is considered "down island." The down-island area possesses the National Seashore's most primitive facilities and pristine appearance. Near Big and Little Shell Beaches is a slight bend that became notorious for its shipwrecks. At mile marker 15, vehicles may drive across the island to the Laguna Madre via a shell road at Yarborough Pass.īig Shell Beach runs from the 18 to the 30. This section is called South Beach.įrom the 12 to 18 is Little Shell Beach. After five miles, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. The first five miles of beach is known as North Beach and usually is passable by any vehicle. There are signs that mark the distance from the end of the paved road every 5 miles and people refer to places on PINS by the distance in miles from the end of the paved road. It is 60 miles from this point to the Mansfield channel. Bird Island Basin is popular with birdwatchers, windsurfers and fishermen.Īt the southern end of Malaquite Beach, the paved road ends at the beach. This area requires a special fee and is reached by turning right on the road right after the entrance station. Vehicles are not permitted on this beach.īird Island Basin is located on the Laguna Madre on the back side of the Island and includes a boat launch and primitive camping. Beach access is available by raised wooden walkways across the dunes. Malaquite Beach is located at the northern end of the park near the entrance and includes a visitor center, observation deck, concession operation, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, over 40 campsites, picnic tables and a large paved parking lot. Today, visitors can see Padre Island as it has existed throughout most of its history. Among these are the Kemp's Ridley sea turtles. The National Seashore and surrounding waters provide important habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including a number of rare, threatened, and endangered species. This is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Padre Island National Seashore is a national park on Padre Island that encompasses more than 130,000 acres and 66 miles of Gulf beachfront. It documents the history of the area and includes legends of sunken treasure ships and buried pirate loot. The map accurately shows the current shoreline, access roads to the islands, beach access points and various recreational areas. This map is printed on parchment style paper giving it an "old" look and feel. A Travel Adventure Map of Padre & Mustang IslandsĢ4x36, A fanciful look at the history and legend surrounding Padre and Mustang Islands.
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