Padre Island National Seashore and surrounding coastal areas offer diverse camping environments for outdoor enthusiasts and their pets. This region maintains year-round accessibility with mild winter temperatures averaging 60°F and summer highs reaching into the 90s with persistent Gulf winds. The flat coastal terrain allows for direct beach access camping while inland sites provide protection from the strongest coastal elements.
What to do
Bird watching opportunities: South Beach attracts diverse wildlife including shorebirds. "We've spent many winter months around the Corpus Christi, Texas area and visit South Beach frequently. Plenty to do; fishing, sunbathing, bird watching, photography, and on some evenings after dark you can spot deer and coyote come out of the sand dunes to feed on seaweed and fish remains," notes Ron P.
Fishing access: The coastal waters provide excellent fishing spots. At Seawind RV Resort, Mark E. mentions "its by a pier known for catching some good fish! Drum, trout, red." The resort's location makes it convenient for anglers with pets seeking dog friendly campgrounds.
Beach exploration: Drive directly on miles of accessible shoreline. "PINS has always been my go to as far as Texas Overlanding goes. As someone who has traveled 99% of the country, finding a place that actually allows for on the beach camping like PINS is just about non existent," shares crikeyroams about South Beach camping.
What campers like
Direct beach access: Campers appreciate the ability to drive and camp right on the sand. "You are able to drive down the beach to find your perfect spot to set up your tents by the dunes! Very clean chemical toilets are near the beach entrance and very clean showers are up at the visitors center," reports Chastity H. about her experience at North Beach.
Natural wildlife viewing: The opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat draws many visitors. "Lovely breezes, wave crashing to lull you to sleep, shore birds, everything... But there are also a lot of dune buggies though, which can be annoying," notes Kim B. about North Beach primitive camping.
Affordable camping rates: Pet-friendly campgrounds near Sarita offer economical options. At Padre Balli County Park, Christian M. shares, "The price for tent campers is $20 day or $125 weekly & it includes power, water and single private bathrooms and single private showers."
What you should know
Wind conditions: The coastal area experiences consistent strong winds that affect camping setups. Ben M. from North Beach advises, "We showed up late while the tide was up which was a little unsettling, but we were assured it was at high as it gets."
Four-wheel drive requirements: Some beach areas require appropriate vehicles. "To access south beach a 4x4 vehicle is required and strongly recommended!" warns crikeyroams.
Tent stability considerations: The consistent coastal winds require proper equipment. At Yarborough Pass, Tucker B. reports, "Had to use the trucks as windbreaks, as it was pretty windy most of the weekend. But there was less blowing sand than on the ocean side."
Limited shade coverage: Most camping areas lack natural shade. "Don't expect much from this state park. It's basically just a beach. There are camping sites. For RVs. There are no trees at the camp sites. So if you go in the hot months, you'd better have a canopy," shares Red S. about Mustang Island State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activity planning: Families can enjoy various beach activities throughout their stay. "We took my daughters here so we could camp on the beach and enjoy the stars. The wildlife hunting was great. Ghost crabs will be rubbing up against your tent all night," shares James S. from North Beach.
Turtle release viewings: Time your visit for potential turtle releases. James S. adds, "We did happen to be there for the release of some sea turtles which was the highlight. Get there early for a good spot and makes sure to have a portable shade and sunscreen."
Protected camping locations: Families may prefer camping behind dunes for wind protection. "My wife and I stayed at Mustang Island State Park Campground back in March. The camp area is off the beach behind a dune, and is just a long strip of sites with a bath house towards the entrance. It was surprisingly windy to be behind a dune, but since it's still the beach, that's somewhat expected," notes Talon W.
Tips from RVers
Campground amenities: Full hookup sites are available at multiple locations. "Seawind RV Resort is a nice, no-frills RV resort in Riviera, Texas on Baffin Bay. The park is adjacent to the waterfront park, beaches, boat launches, and fishing piers. Our site has views of the bay. The RV park offers large FHU sites with 50 amp," reports Jeff & Steff's Excellent Adventure.
Campsite layouts: Some parks have unusual site configurations. "I'm not sure who came up with the layout of the sites here but it is beyond bizarre. The utilities are on the wrong side of camper and your site is behind your camper in a shared space," warns Kristen W. about Mustang Island State Park.
Maintenance and cleanliness: Dog-friendly campgrounds vary in upkeep standards. At Nature's Own RV Resort, don D. reports, "Tight clean camp site. Laundry was clean and reasonably priced. Hot tub and pool were not a great experience."
