Yes, it is a bit confusing. The main freeway through CC is called, "South Padre Island Drive", [TX-358]. The islands are a series of barrier islands, South Padre, North Padre, Mustang, St. Joseph's (still private), and onwards towards Galveston.
South Padre/Port Isabel is the furthest point south of the continental U.S., and is a tropical beauty in the wilderness areas (few) that remain. It is a good deal more green, the water is warmer and Mexico can be enjoyed for lunch and shopping. The beach has a large number of condominiums due to wealthy Mexican tourists the past 20-years. About 150-miles south through the King and other giant ranches (half-million acres and more).
It is fairly said that while Texas extends to the Rio Grande, the United States ends at Corpus Christi. The Rio Grande Valley is a world of it's own.
South Padre/Port Isabel is the furthest point south of the continental U.S., and is a tropical beauty in the wilderness areas (few) that remain. It is a good deal more green, the water is warmer and Mexico can be enjoyed for lunch and shopping. The beach has a large number of condominiums due to wealthy Mexican tourists the past 20-years.
Your description of South Padre Island brings back memories. This is the island that is famous in this region for wild (the other kind) spring-break parties. Unless you're into that scene I would recommend avoiding the area during that time of the year.
When I was there many years ago I didn't have the time to explore and only saw part of the northern reaches of island. What I saw was awesome. It's a real loss if commerce has taken over the wilderness. The main parts of the island as you suggest are highly commercial.
Maybe someone could do a post on the northern wilderness areas of the island as well as the southern more commercial areas. I'm sure there must be RV parks somewhere on the island but I'm not sure?
And what is the access like to the wilderness area? As I recall take the main island road north and one will quickly and easy find access to the dunes and beaches. When I was there I don't recall any regulation although parking would be a major problem along the side of the road unless you're only in a tow vehicle. I suspect boondocking would be impossible. Note also there is no vehicular access to the beach.
__________________
Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
I'm sure there must be RV parks somewhere on the island but I'm not sure?
And what is the access like to the wilderness area? As I recall take the main island road north and one will quickly and easy find access to the dunes and beaches. When I was there I don't recall any regulation although parking would be a major problem along the side of the road unless you're only in a tow vehicle. I suspect boondocking would be impossible. Note also there is no vehicular access to the beach.
Boondocking impossible???
No vehicular access to the beach???
If you want to have your RV on the beach, just drive it out on the beach and pick your own spot. Here, we have just returned from a walk on the beach and have our shell collection on the window ledge and life seems very good.
Boondocking impossible???
No vehicular access to the beach???
Not true.
If you want to have your RV on the beach, just drive it out on the beach and pick your own spot. Here, we have just returned from a walk on the beach and have our shell collection on the window ledge and life seems very good.
Are you parked on NORTH Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi or SOUTH Padre Island near Brownsville/Port Isabel? There is a huge difference as we have been discussing above! See post number 28 and the following posts of this thread. From the looks of the beach you appear to have a really nice setup on North Padre Island! Just to be perfectly clear and to avoid the apparent confusion on this thread: boondocking is possible on North Padre Island but not on South Padre Island. Wish I were there! Please do correct me if I'm wrong.
__________________
Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
Found a map on the North Padre Island National Seashore website that shows the difference between North and South Padre Islands. A pictures speaks a thousand words! Notice the Port Mansfield Channel that separates the two islands.
Since 1964, the island has been divided by the artificial Port Mansfield Channel, and as a result, the terms "North Padre Island" and "South Padre Island" are often used to refer to the separate portions of the island. Unfortunately unless you have a boat or can swim long distance in the ocean it is not possible to reach South Padre Island via North Padre Island and vice versa.
__________________
Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
I've only been to South Padre Island once when growing up but spent a good portion of growing up going to North Padre Island for surf fishing, swimming and camping out. I've caught many a speckled trout off the Bob Hall pier before the hurricane which destroyed it and then off the rebuilt pier. Those were the good ole days.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
Thanks Todd. I also checked out the windandwave.net site for kayaks while I was reading the reports.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
PINS is one of my favorite places to kayak. Especially on the bay side of the island. It's just a spectacular place for kayaking and sight seeing. Did I say spectacular? You think I'm just kidding... don't you? And if you enjoy fishing take a fly rod or some ultralight fishing tackle along with you and catch a few trout for dinner.
We like to put the kayaks in at Yarborough Pass which is on Little Shell Beach just before mile post 15. Yes, that's 15 miles down the beach. I should mention again that this is well beyond the 2 wheel drive section of the island. Be careful if you go here and pay attention to the tides. If you do go and bring a kayak you will be rewarded!
BTW there is an great zoomable map of the island on the park website. Go to the main page of the site and click on the view map link. PINS And if you like kayaks and airstreams check out this thread on our own AIR forum. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ams-41426.html
__________________
Todd
“Complications arose, ensued, were overcome...savvy?”
Looking forward to hearing from you winter visitors this year in this thread.
Welcome to PM me if I can be of any help for recommendations. We are still new here and have gotten around the area more. Would enjoy learning.
One of Texas Monthly's best 50 Barbecue joints is just halfway between Corpus Christi and San Antonio at Exit 65, Oakville, Tx (East side of roadway, on the northbound side). Yes, no "real" parking lot, but enough of a caliche shoulder to pull off onto (no ditch) for my 61' TV/TT.
It is in business -- I haven't been there in years -- on the main highway to the Island. I haven't had anyone recommend it me, and reviews are mixed. Parking with the rig shouldn't be a problem if on the frontage road.
For seafood -- a place that is low-cost, that EVERYONE likes -- we have on our short list for out-of-town visitors; a place on the causeway (the low land past the JFK bridge to the Island) a cash-only joint called, "Snoopys'":
Now, on a cold, blustery day one might not care for it, half the attraction is being able to sit outside on the ICW. As to parking with the trailer there is quite a large area to work in, but memory isn't working for turning the rig around to get back to the highway. I'd call them and ask, I can't get out there today. Plenty of dirt to do the turn, but can't remember about curbing.
One of the places I'm most excited to visit with my Airstream is the Texas coastline. We go to South Padre quite a bit, but I imagine our first trip will be down to Mustang/North Padre, as soon as I get my rig back together.
I'll definitely be checking back for insights from others who have RV-camped there, since all I've ever done is tent-camping along the coast.
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