Best Glamping near Padre Island National Seashore

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Padre Island National Seashore. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Padre Island National Seashore, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Padre Island National Seashore. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Glamping Sites Near Padre Island National Seashore (2)

    1. Gulf Waters RV Resort

    5 Reviews
    Port Aransas, TX
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 749-4978

    $91 / night

    "The site I stayed in was level, sewer 30/50 amp, water, and had a tiki hut with a wet sink, but I didn’t use the latter much because of the cold snap. "

    "Sites are privately owned and owners build their own character. we have stayed twice and will be back again. our sites both had outdoor cooking areas with a tiki hut like structure to protect from rain"

    2. Wilderness Oaks RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Fulton, TX
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (361) 729-2307
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Glamping Reviews near Padre Island National Seashore

25 Reviews of 2 Padre Island National Seashore Campgrounds


  • Susan L.
    Jan. 27, 2022

    Gulf Waters RV Resort

    Steps from the beach

    Stayed here when a freak cold front came through complete with gale force winds. Although the internet service was effected, all other utilities remained online thankfully! As other reviews may have mentioned, this resort is comprised of privately owned lots, upgraded by the owners, and these are rented out when available. The site I stayed in was level, sewer 30/50 amp, water, and had a tiki hut with a wet sink, but I didn’t use the latter much because of the cold snap. 

    The resort sits in the middle of Mustang Island, so no walking to Padre or Port A. However, this makes it quiet and it is well cared for. I especially appreciated the beautiful mature palm trees, landscaping and the clean bath house with nice showers. There’s a laundry on site. $2 per load and the office has quarters. It’s quiet and friendly. If you stay 1 week or more, then there is a meter reading for the electric, on top of the rental fee. 

    The highlight for me was the proximity of this resort to the beach. Just a short walk to the boardwalk over the dunes and you’re there! Just beautiful. Very clean beach with portable potties available.

  • Lisa B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2020

    Malaquite Campground - Padre Island National Seashore

    Miles of amazing beauty

    Make sure to fill up on gas, water and ice before heading out on the 63 miles of available beach! You can drive for hours along sparkling waves with shell laden sand, passing isolated camps and groups fishing. If you want privacy, this is it! You must take all you need The cell reception is spotty, around mile 25.5 if you walk towards the bayside you’ll get a signal best with Verizon, and at Mansfield Cut. Any Texas beach camping is not for the inexperienced... BEACHES ARE WINDY, CAMP LIKE YOU’RE IN A TORNADO! METAL POLE TENTS WITH SAND RATED STAKES, & SECURE EVERYTHING!! Solar yard lights are great to set perimeters to late night drivers. There are jellyfish, wear long pants or bring meat tenderizer for the stings!! The Turtle Patrol passes several times a day. Yes there is strewn garbage, it’s deposited every high tide from all around the world, bring a rake, garbage bag and a reality check. People do speed, pay attention. Showers, dumpsters and toilets are only at the entrance to the beach/Malaquite Visitors Center. This is our favorite place to go because of the privacy, beauty and the fishing. Nights are gorgeous with starry skies, waves, and a fire. Make the time to check this place out, sit and pretend you’re the only person on your private island, you will be hooked!

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 20, 2025

    Gulf Waters RV Resort

    Forever Campground

    Sites are privately owned and owners build their own character. we have stayed twice and will be back again. our sites both had outdoor cooking areas with a tiki hut like structure to protect from rain and sun. Really awesome.

  • F
    May. 12, 2019

    Malaquite Campground - Padre Island National Seashore

    Really on the Beach!

    As you drive on PR22 you feel yourself getting to a slower way of living! Once thru the main entrance enjoy the drive. You'll pass the Visitor center on your left, be sure to stop in. They have an excellent little gift shop, great displays & good information. It is also where you can shower. Several good overlooks of the beach also. Worth the stop!

    Once you reach the pavement and you're on the beach, just a couple of miles past the Visitor Center. There's a bathroom & dumpsters at that point.

    Continue on and you're driving on Padre Island beach! It's beautiful! The first 5 miles are where RV's & regular cars & vans can get with no issues. At the 5 mile point you'll see a sign that says high clearance, 4X4 only part this point. The sand gets heavier, deeper & harder to get thru at that point.

    1-4.5 miles from the road are the places to RV camp. Beyond is for the adventurous & tenters!

    I found a spot about 1 mile I . It was great! Got my RV 🚐 level, place to park my 4X4, breezy & beautiful!

    If you're a sun & sand person, you'll be in heaven! 🐸 LOL. For me, my favorite time is about 7pm to 8am! I cook quite easily! 🐸

    Not too many people during the week. Enough room the even on Cinco de Mayo weekend the beach was not packed...busy, but with room left over!

    If you do the beach, only fee is park entrance fee. You can stay up to 14 days. Be sure to pack it more teach than you generate to help the beach! Make sure you have extra clothes. I highly recommend either a good weather app on phone or a NOAA weather radio, or both!

    I spent 6 nights there...it was awesome! Would have stayed longer but weather got me! Between a storm front & wind driven tides, 7th morning woke up to the tide under me! 🐸 LOL! Called in the cavalry...my kids...to come help me dig it & pull me out! But it was grand!

    If you have the National Parks annual pass or the Senior Pass, it is free camping on the beach. If you need supplies it is about a 22 mile roundtrip to Wally & HEB.

    Would I recommend this beach - YES! Excellent views, great wildlife, peaceful & breathtaking!

    For more of my adventure, please go to... www.ayntsi.us or truckingfrog.blogspot.com

    Enjoy the Nature! 🐸

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Malaquite Campground - Padre Island National Seashore

    Great beach camping!

    Awesome place to pull up the beach, listen to waves and make a fire. No trash collection so make sure you pack it out. Also, I did see some rats or something running around the dunes so just be aware

  • Rachel H.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Wilderness Oaks RV Resort

    Okay but next to airport with poor park drainage

    The previous reviewer is correct about the airport noise.

    Pros:

    • Our RV site was a back-in with plenty of room on a concrete pad with a picnic table. We were in the back row.

    • Our site did not have trees hanging over like a lot of sites (we have solar panels).

    Cons:

    • The campground wifi sucked. We relied more on our own Verizon wifi hotspot (we never assume park wifi is good).

    • Next to airport.

    • RV park, especially on eastern half, has seriously poor drainage. We were trapped in our RV lot, unable to leave, because the water was too deep for our Class A to go through without damage/mess of some sort.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Padre Island National Seashore?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Padre Island National Seashore is Gulf Waters RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.