Texas Has More Than Just Dirt and Tumbleweeds

Who knew that Texas, a state associated with cowboys, lots of dirt, cacti, and tumbleweeds, could have some rather hot vacation destinations? It’s a very fascinating state with the fact that at its Gulf Coast it has some of the nicest beaches you could ever imagine. Padre Island is one of those.

Padre Island is one of the barrier reef islands of Texas. As a matter of fact, it is a stretch that protects one of the longest stretches of barrier islands in the world. These islands are undeveloped, so they make for a great nature trip while also being able to enjoy the beach.

Padre Island is open all-year-round with the visitor center closed only on Christmas but open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on a daily basis. There is an admission since this area is considered a park under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The fee is $20.00, but it covers a year of admissions. If you’re just coming one time, it’s a small price to pay for everything you can enjoy. You can camp on the island and no reservations are required, but the campgrounds are subject to availability.

The uncertainty of whether or not campgrounds are available does lead to many opting for an oceanfront hotel. There are plenty of resorts to choose from in different price ranges. The resorts are lined along the beach in the southern sector like you would expect at any beach elsewhere.

As for the activities that you can engage in, you do have your standard beach activities that include fishing, swimming, boating, and more. You can even go bird watching. Because this is a National Park, you can expect for it to have all of the activities that a National Park would have. There is a heavy emphasis on nature and the preservation of the barrier islands. Nevertheless, you can go bike riding on the beach, see sea turtle hatchling releases that take place 15-25 times per year, and there is driving that can occur at designated places along the island. Truthfully, however, not a lot of driving is permitted since this is one of the few undeveloped shorelines in existence.

If you do want to expand your barrier island horizons, there is also Mustang Island. It is an 18 mile long beach with many of the same things to enjoy at Padre Island. Many individuals find these islands to be fascinating and will visit as many as possible to see the wildlife and take part in the different activities and shopping opportunities that are available. This makes for a very beautiful and fascinating Gulf Coast vacation.