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Camping: Texas > Padre Island National Seashore

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Quick Facts

South Beach Campground

Elevation:	Sea Level
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Number of Sites:	None Because the site is primitive, there are no marked sites
Reservation Status:	Not Accepted First come first served basis

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

This is a primitive campground and so there is no charge. However a camping permit is required and is available from the information desk at the Malaquite Visitor Center. No reservations are accepted since space is always available. Camping is on the beach within 100 feet of the water's edge. There are no designated sites. Campers may choose any location they desire and stake out a claim. The camping area extends from the dunes to the water and from the end of Park Road 22 down 60 miles to the southern boundary of the park at the Mansfield Channel. There are no roads and so all driving is on the beach. The first five miles after the end of the park road are open to two-wheel-drive vehicles. The lower 55 miles are open only to four-wheel-drive vehicles. The beginning of the four-wheel-drive area is marked. Please note that in Texas beaches are considered highways and all vehicles on them must be street-legal and licensed. Be aware that driving conditions on the beach may vary with the weather and sometimes areas of soft sand may be found in the two-wheel-drive area making driving difficult and becoming stuck possible. Some areas within the four-wheel-drive area (particularly Little Shell and Big Shell beaches) usually have very deep sand. A site bulletin on how to prepare for driving down island are available by contacting the Visitors Center. Contact the Visitors Center before driving down island to check on beach conditions. Driving off the beach and into the dunes, grasslands, and mudflats is not permitted.

Directions from San Antonio, TX: Travel along Interstate Highway 37, then turn onto highway 358. The highway changes its name from 358 to South Padre Island Drive then crosses over the Laguna Madre on the JFK causeway and becomes Park Road 22. At the end of Park Road 22 is the National Seashore.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Camping		Yes

Related Activities

Bird Island Basin Campground - This campground is totally primitive. A camping permit is required and is available at the Malaquite Visitor Center. No reservations are taken for camping, but space is usually available.

Malaquite Beach Visitor Center - Educational and interpretive programs are held year-round. Deck talks and beach walks are held almost every day. Deck talks last 30 minutes and are an in-depth discussion of objects including.

Malaquite Campground - Malaquite is a semi-primitive campground, providing only toilets, rinse showers, picnic tables and 50 designated sites (8 sites are for tent camping only, 26 are for tent or RV camping, and 16 are for RV's only).

North Beach Campground - This is a primitive campground and as such there is no charge. However, a camping permit is required and is available from the Malaquite Visitor Center. The site is open to both RV and tent camping.

Padre Island National Seashore Beach -

Yarborough Pass Campground - This is a primitive campground and as such there are no facilities. However a camping permit is required and is available from the Malaquite Visitor Center. Access to this campground is possible only through the four-wheel drive area of South Beach.

More Information

Visitor Information:

Padre Island National Seashore, 9405 South Padre Island Drive , Corpus Christi, TX, 78418, Phone: 512-949-8173

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