Nancy L Lowe
Google
Love it here. The center has information about the history of Padre Island, the sea turtles, the shells, etc. There are small gifts, stickers, park passports, and other park information. You can buy ice here as well. ANYTHING YOU BUY HERE MUST BE PAID BY CARD ONLY. This was an issue because I only had cash and was camping for a week. I needed ice.
The exterior is nice, large weathered wood beams with tables, benches and oversized rocking chairs. A cool breeze blows off the ocean, and you can view and hear the beach from all levels.
While there, you will see birds and animals from the deck and there is beach access with a wooden walkway. Once you are at the beach, it is sand.
Tons of parking for any sized vehicle. Water is available from a down pouring drinking fountain or from the water hose. Several rinse off showers are available and a separate restroom area. It is cleaned each day, but the public often leaves it very messy, not cleaning up after themselves.
A very comfortable enjoyable spot.
BEFORE COMING, get the informaion about what the tides will be, especially if camping. If it is over 2.0 high tide, it can cover the camping area and the roads. Nation Park Service, please start including this warming and link, predominantly, so it will be noticed. An explication of what the numbers mean needs to be included. Most people don't understand the terms and numbers of significance. Beware the sand is soft and you can get easily stuck.
Basically, there is NO CELL SERVICE. You can sign in, while at the visitors center, to the wifi but it barely has service.
Bring powder to put on because your skin stays damp even after drying off. It makes getting dressed much easier. Even after washing and drying off, you will still have sand in your clothes and body. You won't see it but it is there
