The park provides safe nesting ground for the critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and is a haven for over 380 bird species. As we were driving to the Malaquite Visitor Center, we saw several deer in the prairie.
Because of the government shutdown, the visitor center was closed. But the park rangers had opened up the gates to allow visitors to enter the National Seashore. Leashed pets are allowed here, except on the deck at the Visitor Center, the boardwalk to Malaquite Beach, and the stretch of beach in front of the Visitor Center.
There is an observation deck that affords great views of the coastline.
We walked to the beach on the pet access path. Our sweet doggie, Sadie, had fun “kicking up her heels” in the water. (This was her first opportunity to go swimming since she had a cyst removed from her shoulder.)
We hopped in the car and drove south on the park road until it ends at the beach (a short distance). Driving is permitted on the beach for the next 60 miles, but high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. Park service staff cannot give you a tow if you get stuck in the sand, and commercial towing will cost hundreds to thousands of dollars! Needless to say, our Mini Countryman is not well suited for a beach drive here (unfortunately).
At mile markers 25-27 is the best area for shelling and a 1544 Spanish galleon shipwreck can be seen offshore at mile 51. But on the day we visited, we were thrilled to see about 20 green sea turtles being released to the Gulf by people from the Amos Rehab Keep.
Check out the barnacles growing on this big guy’s shell. This is not uncommon.
Thousands of green sea turtles were cold stunned by the unusually cold weather here. More than 2,000 were picked up along the shoreline between January 1 and January 5. They were taken to the turtle rehab where they were cared for until they recuperated and regained their strength.
When these two two turtles were taken out to be released, one kept trying to come back to shore. He will be returned to rehab for a few more days until he feels strong enough to return home.
While watching the turtle release, we met this lovely young couple, Jesse and Rachel. They are also currently living the full-time RV life. We enjoyed chatting with them and sharing travel information and adventures. There were not many people in the area, so we continued our walk on the beach here.
We continued our visit with a stop at this bird blind near a fresh water pond, but we only saw a few small ducks here.
Following signs to the Bird Island Basin, there is a campground on Laguna Madre (the body of water between the mainland and Padre Island). It is one of only six hypersaline lagoons in the world and every island in the lagoon is protected by the Padre Island National Seashore. Many are rookeries for American white pelicans and other waterfowl.
It is also a very popular windsurfing destination.
We spent some time walking around the area and the boat ramp. Fishing is very popular in the lagoon. Our Sadie looked just like this miniature Australian shepherd when she was a puppy!
Our final stop for the day was the Grassland Nature Trail (.75 miles).
It is a Loop trail through a natural grassland that is home to birds, snakes, and small rodents (but we only saw birds). The best time to catch a view of others is early morning or late afternoon. Sand dunes can be seen in the distance.
The admission fee (when the park is open) is $10/vehicle for 7 days. Of course, our Senior Pass gets us in for free any time. We will definitely visit this beautiful park again while we are in Corpus Christi. For additional information about Padre Island National Seashore, check out their website at www.nps.gov/pais.
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