Padre Island

Padre Island National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior National Seashore Texas m ocated along the south Texas coast, Padre Island National I " Seashore protects the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. The national seashore embraces 70 miles of sand-and-shell beaches, picturesque windswept dunes, seemingly endless grasslands, tidal flats teeming with life, and warm nearshore waters. Providing habitat to a wide variety of organisms, the national seashore is the most important U.S. nesting beach for endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles, and is globally important for migrating birds. Throughout this coastal wilderness you can enjoy the riches of relaxation and recreation. The sun, sand, and surf of Padre Island are ideal for swimming and sunbathing virtually year-round. If you enjoy fishing, you can choose between the Gulf of Mexico and the shallow, extremely salty waters of the Laguna Madre—one of only six hypersaline lagoons in the world. The Gulf beaches provide boundless opportunities for beachcombing. Campers can wake up to the sights and sounds of the surf and shorebirds. If you seek solitude in nature, portions of the beach along the national seashore are open t o vehicles, enabling visitors to reach remote camping and fishing locations. For those w h o enjoy studying the past, Padre Island has a long, varied history—American Indians, extensive Spanish exploration and shipwrecks dating to the 1500s, even use as a U.S. Navy bombing range. In an interesting 19th-century coastal community, people struggled to survive by ranching, harvesting salt from the Laguna Madre, and building their homes out of the remains of ships and cargoes that washed up on the island beaches. However you spend your time at Padre Island National Seashore, the rewards will be generous. A laughing gull, shown in summer plumage, has a call like a high-pitched laugh. DUNES (ABOVE). ©JAMES P ROWAN. GULL: ©GEORGE H H HUEY Beach: battered by waves, tides, winds, and storms. Dunes: created by sand, wind, and stabilizing plants like the goat's foot morning glory. Grasslands: protected inland areas of vegetation and brackish pools fed by washover. subtle change is t h e slow expansion o f t h e e n t i r e island t o w a r d t h e m a i n l a n d as w i n d s and storms deposit sand on t h e island's west side. skittering back and f o r t h on shore searching f o r crustaceans, or terns, herons, and egrets f l y i n g by. In t h e shallows of t h e Laguna M a d r e y o u may see flocks of w h i t e pelicans p a t r o l ling f o r fish. In t h e dunes and grasslands y o u may f i n d killdeer, m e a d o w l a r k s , and sandhill cranes. The Gulf beach provides h a b i t a t f o r m a n y shorebirds, i n c l u d i n g t h e t h r e a t e n e d p i p i n g plover. A r o u n d 380 bird species have been d o c u m e n t e d here—almost 45 percent o f all bird species d o c u m e n t e d in N o r t h A m e r i c a . PROFILE OF A BARRIER ISLAND Padre Island is one of a chain o f islands t h a t stretches along t h e Atlantic and Gulf coasts of t h e United States f r o m M a i n e t o Texas. These islands are called barrier islands because they p r o t e c t t h e m a i n l a n d f r o m t h e direct o n slaught of storm tides. On many of these lowlying islands humans have l e f t t h e i r m a r k : homes, lighthouses, fishing villages, vacation resorts. But o n Padre Island it is t h e h a n d i w o r k o f n a t u r e t h a t is most evident. Like all barrier islands, Padre Island is a dynamic place w h e r e y o u can witness c h a n g e — change w r o u g h t by t h e g e n t l e t o u c h o f breezes, t h e relentless crashing of waves, t h e rhythmic coming and g o i n g of tides, and t h e violent battering of tropical storms and hurricanes. The m a n y e n v i r o n m e n t s o f Padre Island—beach, dunes, grasslands, a n d t i d a l flats—are shaped and reshaped in response t o these n a t u r a l sculptors. You can see t h e signs of change everywhere: sand b l o w i n g in t h e w i n d , n e w seashells deposited by a wave, a washover channel cut t h r o u g h t h e island by t h e p o w e r of a great storm. A n o t h e r more The plants a n d animals o f Padre Island are w e l l a d a p t e d t o t h e ever-changing n a t u r e o f t h e i r native h o m e . Sea oats, f o r example, t h r i v e here. This w i l d shore p l a n t is a pioneer species, one t h a t moves i n t o areas o f loose, b l o w i n g sand and takes r o o t w h e r e f e w o t h e r plants can g r o w . W i t h t h e sand anchored by roots, o t h e r plants t a k e h o l d a n d dunes g r o w , sometimes t o heights o f 50 f e e t . The dunes are h e l d in place unless s o m e t h i n g destroys t h e plants. A particularly fierce storm can d o it. People can do it by t r a m p l i n g t h e grasses or driving over t h e m ; t h a t is w h y driving in t h e dunes is p r o h i b i t e d a n d h i k i n g t h e r e is discouraged. A m o n g t h e w i l d l i f e f l o u r i s h i n g o n t h e island are many birds t h a t live here y e a r - r o u n d or visit seasonally. A l o n g t h e beach y o u may see l a u g h i n g gulls circling o v e r h e a d , sandpipers Other animals inhabit t h e island, a m o n g t h e m coyotes, black-tailed jackrabbits, lizards, western d i a m o n d b a c k rattlesnakes, a n d , in t h e int e r t i d a l zone along t h e beach, ghost crabs and g h o s t shrimp. U n d e r w a t e r life in t h e Gulf's o f f s h o r e waters is a b u n d a n t , as is t h a t of t h e Laguna M a d r e , a f e r t i l e nursery f o r saltwater fish. Five sea t u r t l e species live in t h e Gulf, and t h r e e o f t h e species nest here each year. The w o r l d o f Padre Island is a n a t u r a l w o r l d of change and e x t r a o r d i n a r y variety a n d richness. It is t h e w o r l d o f t h e barrier island. White pelicans congregate on a small island built with dredged materials. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ACTIVITIES ASHORE AND AFLOAT There are m a n y ways t o see t h e sights of Padre Island a n d t o enjoy its many seaside pleasures. One is by driving a l o n g t h e scenic roads a n d sandy beaches. All vehicles can travel o n t h e 5.5-mile paved e n t r a n c e r o a d . North Beach and t h e first five miles of South Beach can usually be accessed w i t h 2 - w h e e l d r i v e vehicles. However, a t times 4 - w h e e l d r i v e may be r e q u i r e d . S o u t h Beach has over 60 miles o f beach open t o driving. Anyone traveling d o w n the island south o f M i l e p o s t 5 should use a 4 w h e e l - d r i v e vehicle d u e t o f r e q u e n t l y shifting sand. The loose sand a n d m a r i n e debris can m a k e t h e g o i n g t o u g h a l o n g this stretch o f t h e beach, so carry e m e r g e n c y supplies w i t h y o u and be prepared f o r an e x t e n d e d stay if y o u become s t r a n d e d . Cell p h o n e rec e p t i o n d o w n island is p o o r t o nonexistent. Before y o u t a k e y o u r first 4 - w h e e l - d r i v e t r i p o n Padre Island, talk w i t h a park ranger a b o u t w h a t t o expect. The dunes, grasslands, and t i d a l flats are o f f - l i m i t s t o vehicles, as is t h e M a l a q u i t e Beach area. The noise of t h e surf may d r o w n o u t t h e noise of y o u r engine; be careful w h e n a p p r o a c h i n g others. Obey posted speed limits; t h e l i m i t o n t h e beach is 15 miles per h o u r unless o t h e r w i s e indicated. Vehicles must be state-licensed and display a valid state safety inspection sticker. The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is proh i b i t e d in t h e park. A n o t h e r w a y t o explore is by hiking. The Grasslands Nature Trail, a 0.75-mile loop t r a i l , w i n d s t h r o u g h a grasslands-and-dunes area. A g u i d e p a m p h l e t is available at t h e t r a i l head. Mosquitoes i n h a b i t this area, so b r i n g insect repellent. Western d i a m o n d b a c k rattlesnakes, t h o u g h rarely seen, are f o u n d here, t o o . Hiking across t h e dunes is discouraged. Beach h i k i n g can be slow g o i n g b u t r e w a r d ing, especially if y o u like bird watching or beachcombing. Look f o r some of Padre Island's 380-plus bird species. Collect shells and o t h e r treasures of t h e sea; live animals and objects o f historical or archeological value c a n n o t be t a k e n . Summer m o r n i n g s , w i n t e r a n d spring days at l o w t i d e , and after a s t o r m are t h e best b e a c h c o m b i n g times. M e t a l detectors are p r o h i b i t e d . W a r m Gulf w a t e r s and t h e h o t Texas sun are ideal f o r swimming and sunbathing all year except January, February, a n d M a r c h , w h e n chilly t e m p e r a t u r e s can occur. S w i m m i n g is p e r m i t t e d a l o n g t h e beaches, b u t lifeguards are n o t o n duty. Surfing is n o t p e r m i t t e d at M a l a q u i t e Beach. Never g o in t h e > w a t e r alone, a n d b e w a r e of dangerous currents, undert o w s , Portuguese man-of-war, and stingrays. O t h e r ways t o enjoy t h e w a t e r are boating and windsurfing in t h e Laguna M a d r e . Small p o w e r boats, fishing boats, sailboats, a n d o t h e r small w a t e r c r a f t can navigate its w a t e r s . The launching and use of personal w a t e r c r a f t are p r o h i b i t e d in t h e park. The park's p r i m a r y b o a t launching r a m p is at Bird Island Basin. I n f l a t a b l e boats up t o 12 f e e t l o n g may be launched i n t o t h e Gulf o f Mexico at any location south of Milepost 5 o n South Beach. Boaters should carry nautical charts and keep an eye on t h e w e a t h e r a n d o t h e r boaters. Fishing is an all-season sport o n Padre Island. Catch redfish, speckled sea t r o u t , black d r u m , a n d w h i t i n g in t h e Gulf, w h i l e in t h e Laguna M a d r e y o u may pull in sheepshead, croaker, a n d f l o u n d e r . A Texas state f i s h i n g license w i t h a s a l t w a t e r s t a m p is r e q u i r e d . O t h e r year-round activities are camping and picnicking. M a l a q u i t e Beach C a m p g r o u n d , a develo p e d c a m p g r o u n d f o r t e n t and RV c a m p i n g , overlooks t h e Gulf. Primitive c a m p i n g is a l l o w e d at Bird Island Basin c a m p g r o u n d a n d o n N o r t h and South beaches. Campfires are p e r m i t t e d o n park beaches. However, a t M a l a q u i t e c a m p g r o u n d a n d Bird Island Basin, fire pans are r e q u i r e d . Keep y o u r fires u n d e r c o n t r o l and away f r o m dunes and grasslands v e g e t a t i o n . Extinguish fires c o m p l e t e l y w i t h w a t e r and bury t h e remains. Picnickers may use shaded tables in t h e Malaq u i t e Beach area, or simply spread o u t a blanket o n t h e beach. All pets must be leashed. No pets are p e r m i t t e d o n t h e visitor center deck or o n t h e beach i m m e d i a t e l y in f r o n t of t h e visitor center. Lightning whelk The Laguna Madre is ideal for windsurfing and sailing. Use only small watercraft to navigate this large but shallow body of water. Padre Island's ocean beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, strolling, and beachcombing for shells and other treasures. A popular pastime is surf fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. All you need is a pole, bait, and Texas state fishing license with a saltwater stamp. SEASHORE SITES AND SERVICES Fees are charged f o r entering t h e park, camping in t h e M a l a q u i t e Beach c a m p g r o u n d , and using Bird Island Basin. Camping is limited t o 14 days at one t i m e , w i t h a m a x i m u m stay of 56 calendar days per year. A f t e r each 14-day stay, c a m p i n g e q u i p m e n t and vehicles must be r e m o v e d f r o m t h e park f o r at least 48 hours before r e t u r n i n g . Self-registration is req u i r e d f o r primitive camping. Kiosks f o r o b t a i n i n g a p e r m i t are located at t h e entrance t o South Beach a n d N o r t h Beach a n d also at Bird Island Basin. Malaquite Visitor Center and Camp Store The M a l a q u i t e Pavilion serves as t h e center o f visitor services. There is a visitor center w i t h an i n f o r m a t i o n desk, b o o k s t o r e , a n d exhibits. There are also picnic tables, an a u d i t o r i u m , t w o o b s e r v a t i o n decks, restrooms, cold w a t e r rinse-off showers, and a first-aid station. The camp store sells supplies, sandwiches, snacks, drinks, b a i t , f i s h i n g t a c k l e , t-shirts, and souvenirs. The main level and t h e main observation deck are wheelchair-accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available at t h e visitor center. The center is o p e n daily except December 25. It has schedules o f park programs, special events, and beach clean-ups. Pets (on leashes) are p e r m i t t e d in t h e park and on t h e beach b u t n o t o n t h e visitor center deck. M a l a q u i t e Beach C a m p g r o u n d is located w i t h i n 100 yards of t h e Gulf and has 50 sites— 43 f o r RVs and seven f o r compact vehicles; 26 sites may be used f o r t e n t c a m p i n g . There are no hook-ups, b u t t h e r e is a w a t e r - f i l l i n g stat i o n and a sanitary d u m p station just outside t h e e n t r a n c e . Rangers present e v e n i n g p r o grams a t t h e campfire circle at t h e n o r t h end of t h e c a m p g r o u n d on a seasonal basis. Check t h e c a m p g r o u n d b u l l e t i n board or at t h e visit o r center f o r p r o g r a m i n f o r m a t i o n . The campg r o u n d is o p e n y e a r - r o u n d , first-come, firstserved. No reservations are accepted. H o w ever, d u r i n g most o f t h e year plenty of space is available. For visitor convenience, a public pay p h o n e is located in t h e c a m p g r o u n d . Park Headquarters The administrative and m a i n t e n a n c e facilities are located here. No public services are available. Bird Island Basin W i t h shallow, w a r m w a t e r and a nearly constant breeze, Bird Island Basin is o n e o f t h e t o p w i n d s u r f i n g areas in t h e n a t i o n . Rental e q u i p m e n t a n d lessons are available. Bird Island Basin also provides t h e park's p r i m a r y b o a t launching r a m p i n t o t h e Laguna M a d r e . Primitive c a m p i n g is available. Yarborough Pass This is a g o o d area f o r w a d e f i s h i n g and b i r d w a t c h i n g . You can launch i n flatable boats into t h e Laguna Madre f r o m here. Primitive Gulf Beach South Beach is a wilderness beach t h a t is o p e n t o d r i v i n g . It is over 60 miles l o n g w i t h t h e first 5 miles n o r m a l l y suitable f o r 2-wheel-drive vehicles. Note t h a t 4wheel drive is required south of Milepost 5. Climate Expect l o n g , h o t summers and short, m i l d winters. In summer, h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s average in t h e h i g h 80s and l o w 90s°F, lows in t h e 70s°F, w i t h a f t e r n o o n a n d e v e n i n g sea breezes. In w i n t e r , highs are c o m m o n l y in t h e 60s°F, lows in t h e 40s and 50s°F. In spring and fall h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s average in t h e 70s and 80s°F, lows in t h e 50s and 60s°F. T h r o u g h o u t t h e year t h e relative h u m i d i t y seldom drops b e l o w 70 percent. Rainfall averages a b o u t 28 inches a year, most o f it near t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d e n d o f t h e hurricane a n d t r o p i c a l s t o r m season, w h i c h lasts f r o m June t h r o u g h November. Shoreline Trash Most o f t h e refuse f o u n d o n t h e beaches is washed in by t h e Gulf currents. The n a t i o n a l seashore has d e v e l o p e d several programs t o clean t h e beach, w h e r e b o t h e m ployees a n d t h e g e n e r a l public p a r t i c i p a t e . For i n f o r m a t i o n or t o v o l u n t e e r t o help, contact t h e M a l a q u i t e Visitor Center. Padre Island National Seashore is one of over 390 parks in t h e National Park System. The National Park Service cares f o r these special places saved by t h e American people so t h a t all may experience o u r h e r i t a g e . Visit w w w . n p s . g o v t o learn more a b o u t parks and National Park Service programs in America's communities. Corpus Christi and other area communities have a variety of visitor services, including many that the national seashore does not provide, such as lodging, gas stations, restaurants, and fishing tackle and bait shops. Padre Balli County Park and Mustang Island State Park have campgrounds with hookups for recreational vehicles. Padre Balli also has a popular fishing pier—Bob Hall Pier. You can observe bird life at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, where a scenic drive and trails are available, or at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. For information on attractions and accommodations outside the park, please call the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-766-2322. More Information Padre Island National Seashore P.O. Box 181300 Corpus Christi, TX 78480-1300 361-949-8068 www.nps.gov/pais PGPO:2008—339-126/80031 Reprint 2008 Printed on recycled paper. BEACH WATCH Saving Endangered Sea Turtles Since 1978 Padre Island National Seashore has w o r k e d w i t h o t h e r agencies in t h e U n i t e d States a n d Mexico t o b r i n g t h e Kemp's ridley sea t u r t l e back f r o m t h e brink of e x t i n c t i o n . A b o u t 60 percent o f t h e Kemp's ridley nests f o u n d in t h e U n i t e d States are f o u n d at t h e n a t i o n a l seashore a n d nesting is increasing. Kemp's ridley and o t h e r sea t u r t l e eggs f o u n d at t h e n a t i o n a l seashore are r e m o v e d f r o m t h e nest site f o r p r o t e c t e d care. The hatchlings are released on t h e beach and g u a r d e d as t h e y enter t h e surf. As a result, thousands of baby sea turtles have had a chance at life. You can help by being alert d u r i n g t h e nesting season, March t o September. Motorists are c a u t i o n e d t o w a t c h carefully, since these t u r t l e s u l e n d w i t h t n e sand, o f t e n nest in t u e beach roadway, a n d are unable t o m o v e f o r an a p p r o a c h i n g vehicle. If y o u see a nesting mother, p r o t e c t her f r o m passing traffic, b u t remain in your vehicle or at least 20 feet a w a y to her rear until she has dug her nest and laid a f e w eggs. Then y o u may approach close e n o u g h t o see if t h e t u r t l e has a metal t a g o n her flipper. Note t h e n u m b e r on t h e t a g . M a r k t h e nest by using material f o u n d nearby o n t h e beach. Do n o t stick objects in t h e sand t o mark t h e nest as this can d a m a g e t h e eggs. If possible t a k e photos or video. Do n o t t o u c h or restrain t h e m o t h e r t u r t l e . Rep o r t t h e sighting i m m e d i a t e l y t o a sea t u r t l e patroller; or call t h e sea t u r t l e researcher (361-949-8173 ext. 226). M o s t h a t c h l i n g releases occur b e t w e e n May and A u g u s t a n d each year several are o p e n t o t h e public at no charge. Call t h e 24-hour Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163 t o learn t h e d a t e a n d location of t h e next release. Releases are usually held at d a w n .