Many visitors continue to return regularly due to their positive experience at this County Park. Although we've had a lot of experience driving our jeep in beach sand, driving a motor home was different. If youve been to the South Texas RV sites, you must have experienced the hustle and bustle. snorkeling, diving, jet skis, parasailing, etc.) Yes. With limited time, which to visit? Too confined, not enough space. While the land covers 150 acres, the RV sites are at least 50-55 feet apart, which means you dont have to worry about social distancing when enjoying your stay at Tropical Trails. camping parks rv amenities padre "This is a really pretty campground that has a lot of great things! Yosemite, Death Valley 18 Campgrounds Where You Can Stay Cool This Summer. take a shower or use the restroom do NOT choose Isla Blanca RV Park unless youre not picky the restrooms we saw were metal toilets (the kind with no seat) and some were even common showering areas, although some had concrete block stalls. From kites and bikes to portable fire pits, RV life is getting better every time we head out! Having said that we also would NOT choose the other small sites, they were worse. The location makes it an important and necessary stopping point for migrating birds who need to stop to rest and for resident birds who use the diverse habitat for nesting and breeding. Located just across the bridge from South Padre Island in Port Isabel. The tremendous variety of outdoor RV resorts in South Texas makes the region popular across the United States for RVers. You will never have a dull moment when visiting Palmdale RV Resort in South Padre Island, Texas. Right on the water, this property is in prime location to everything South Padre Island has to offer. On the other hand, South Padre Island has its own charm and is far far far less expensive than the Florida Keys! This park has a small-town laid-back feel but has many things to offer so that one can stay as long as they want without lacking a thing or being bored. You wont run out of activities to enjoy and nearby places to explore! At South Padre Island KOA Holiday RV Park, they are ready to accommodate. In Landlocked New Mexico? Jan. Nice article. First: While the sand is usually compact enough for easy driving, you can get into trouble if you drive too close to the water's edge or if you drive into the softer sand closer to the dunes. Second: There may be times when the wind isn't blowing, but we've never experienced them. I think it probably had to do with too many people online trying to do things other than e-mail and web surfing. Plus, if you love cooking, you will love grilling BBQ at your very own RV site. The security at Tropical Trails RV Resorts makes it the ideal option for campers looking to rest in a spacious site with their favorite RVs. suntide iii island padre south This place isnt like other congested RV sites that may offer similar services. Your email address will not be published. If so, then going on a trip to some of the best South Padre Island RV parks can be just what youre looking for. Brownsville is the largest city that is closest to South Padre Island. Isla Blanca Park: (956) 761-5494 The hardest sand is closest to the tide-line. As a full-time RV'er, Stephanie writes about many natural wonders to be found in the U.S. National Parks and Monuments are her favorites. Youll find onsite food services at the beachfront pavilions with over 600 RV sites that offer complete hook-up facilities. 17 FUN Tips for Visiting South Padre Island. Sunset Palms RV and Mobile Home Park is built for campers and RV-camping lovers in South Texas. Camping is free on the beach, but you will need to carry out your trash, and drive off the beach to the dump station when you need fresh water or need to dump. It is safe to drive 2-wheel drive vehicles on the beach from the access road and many people drive motor homes and campers out onto the sand where they can park at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. ), Anyone with other comments about camping on South Padre Island? A variety of water sports activities make this VIP South Padre Island RV Park an excellent option for beach lovers. Most self-contained motorhomes and trailers are perfectly equipped to handle a week or two of dry camping, but it is important to know ahead of time what to expect. If you want to be on South Padre Island, there are only 3 places to camp/glamp: South Padre KOA or Cameron Countys Isla Blanca or Andy Bowie Parks. BONUS POINTS! Local Park Telephone Number:956-761-5665; email: southpadre@koa.net. Ice is available from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Malaquite Visitor Center. Weve gathered 9 of the best South Padre Island RV parks for you to explore. But we discovered something about ourselves very quickly were not fans of commercial RV resorts. As snowbirds, or "Winter Texans" as the locals say, we joined the many Northerners who converge on Texas to escape the cold winter of northern climates. You will have to cross the bridge to get to South Padre Island. The swimming pools are open all year round, and you can enjoy free WiFi and cable TV. At the lots, you will enjoy WiFi, TVs, bathrooms, restrooms, and even household amenities. There are 13 threatened and endangered species on Padre Island. Adolph Thomae Park: (956) 748-2044 Since we retired almost 15 years ago and travel at least six months a year, we've learned a thing or two. 956-761-3700, Danielle Delgado, Assistant CoastalParks Manager Access to Essentials: IGA and Ace Hardware are right on the island as is a gas station. Whether one stays for a few days of for the whole summer, there is plenty to do to stay busy at the park or exploring the island. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You can enjoy plenty of outdoor waterfront activities, including high-quality swimming pools. This is a regulated community of property owners who rent or sublet their condominiums and RV lots with hookups for an extended amount of time. Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy, Tarpon RV Park and Marina South Padre Island, Top 14 Maine National Parks and State Parks To Visit, Top 5 Amazing Montana National Parks To Visit, 11 National Parks Near Las Vegas To Visit This Year. It is right next to a sea turtle hatchery. We particularly enjoyed seeing the tall sand hill cranes that migrate here as well as pelicans, bitterns, skimmers, terns, long billed curlews, sanderlings, herons and other coastal birds at Bird Basin. Click here to learn more about Edwin King Atwood Park. The lush land around the Rio Grande Valley makes Tropical Tails RV Resorts one of the top choices for campers. Want to plan a South Padre getaway with your family and friends? Choose a sun-covered picnic table at your favorite pavilion by the main entrance to the beach. Driving is not allowed on the beach in front of the campground, so it's a pleasant place to walk or watch birds. And Tom & Stacie!!! Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Plus, you and your trip-mates will get a chance to dine at some of the most popular restaurants in the area. In the winter hours vary or the concessions may be closed. There are also 6 tent sites here, although tent campers are also allowed to set up their tents on the beach. This KOA also has a free boat ramp for use and a sunset deck to enjoy a drink in the evening time. Beaches on in Texas are considered highways, and the same driving rules apply to beach driving as to any Texas roadway. You won't want to plan to use your microwave or electric appliances to make meals only to find out that you aren't allowed to run your generator. Does Lowes Sell Tiny Houses or Tiny House Kits? A replacement fee will be assessed for each replacement tag. Andy Bowie County Park has all you need to make the most out of a great outdoors trip. Reviews from RV Park Reviews give the KOA a 4 Star Rating, Click Here for More Reviews. As the entire area is nearly covered with beach sand, make sure you bring the right RV to avoid getting stuck. It backed up to the marina building and marina doors when the marina guys were cutting or welding, it could be noisy. There is a place here waiting for you! Sanderling on Padre island National Seashore. The South Padre KOA sites are small, but again, Location, Location, Location. The resorts customer service team is sure to answer all questions and resolve all issues promptly. The staff was very kind and helpful! All campgrounds are open year-round. The shower heads in the womens were way above my reach (Im 53) so there was no adjusting. Of the locations chosen, 4 locations are on the island and the other parks are located in the surrounding cities. South Padre Island, TX 78597, Pete Garza, Coastal Parks Manager Beach fun could turn into sandblasting quickly! There are five different tiers of site choices, depending on site size and spacing. Can someone tell me WHY in a commercial RV park, so many need 2 vehicles? Chasing Waterfalls in Illinois: Starved Rock State Park! Camping here is primitive, with no dump stations or showers, but it is by far the nicest place to camp if you want privacy and a beautiful view. Camping right on the water's edge, we had a perfect view of beginner and expert windsurfers skimming the water and executing their complicated maneuvers in Bird Island Basin. Click here to learn more about Tarpon RV Park and Marina. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Discounts do not apply to camping or RV spaces. It is about a 30-40 minute drive to South Padre Island from Brownsville. Whether one wants to sunbathe or go fishing, there is something fun to do for everyone in the family. 78480. If your goal is to spend the week on South Padre Island we highly recommend Isla Blanca County park or Edwin King Atwood park if you prefer boondocking and arent scared about getting stuck in the sand or the tide sneaking up! When looking for an ideal place to play, engage, and relax, consider heading to the South Padre Island KOA Holiday. Who knew there were TWO Saguaro National Parks - East and West. Annual toll tags will be replaced only with a valid receipt or proof of purchase. Stay in the driving lanes! Just a word of advice Edwin King Atwood Park is open to car traffic. This is also an ideal location for kayaking, windsurfing, birdwatching and fishing. This park is located right on the beach, which allows the visitors to take advantage of the beach relaxation and water activities right where they are. Those who are interested in trying the sport can rent equipment and sign up for lesson at the store not too far from the camping area. You can make financial transactions without worrying about security because the internet is secured and fortified through encryption protocols. The registration office is open seven days a week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during peak season and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during offseason. If beach access is on your list for an RV park in South Padre Island, you wont have trouble finding a stay. Campsite at Bird Basin, Padre Island National Seashore with a serene view of the sunset on Laguna Madre. There are several reasons we choose this Southern Texas RV Park as the crown jewel of our list. The beach in front of the campground is a great place to walk or to watch birds. Plus it is a popular family destination. A big RV park right on the coast, the Isla Blanca Park is a great spot when staying in the area. Some of these amenities include a world class water park, an assortment of restaurants, bay and offshore fishing trips, water sports (e.g. Click here to learn more about Sunset Palms RV and Mobile Home Park. The camera swinging on its strap might upset your balance and there's a LONG cliff below? It is located in Brownsville about 30 minutes from South Padre Island. Learn how your comment data is processed. South Padre Island is on the Gulf Coast, the Southwest lowest point in Texas, just be fore the border to Mexico. The Sundeck. Little to no road noise. cottage 33174 State Park Rd 100, When To Go: January is very very windy! Check out time for Malaquite Campground and Bird Island Basin is 12:00 noon. Since the park is gated, one must let the office know if arriving during lunch hour or after 3 PM. Life-long friendships are made at Sunset Palms RV and Mobile Home Park. Sites are quite close together, but each one has a shade shelter or picnic table of its own. Port Isabel Marina and RV Park is located in Port Isabel just across the bridge fro South Padre Island. It is the smallest sea turtle and also the most endangered. The National Park Service offers free birding walks led by knowledgeable volunteers or Park Rangers for those who would like help in spotting and identifying some of the species found here. As we were traveling in an RV, we were concerned about availability of fresh water and a dump station. This means these parks are closer to the HEB grocery store and Walmart. Be sure to check out our 17 FUN Tips for Visiting South Padre Island for all the fun we had and things we did during our month stay on South Padre Island! It attracts migrating snowbirds like ourselves as well as thousands of migrating birds in the winter months. The park also offers a number of concessions that provide an array of recreational amenities. During the weekend and busy times, the bridge can be backed up. Click here to learn more about Port Isabel Marina and RV Park. But it was mostly warm. Edwin King Atwood Park offers complete solitude from the day-to-night rush of the Southside adventurers. Located next to the calm waters of the laguna, this campground is a great place for tent or RV camping. Noise Levels: Not bad for the number of people and RVs. Whether you visit on sunny days or plan a great outdoors trip during the winter season, you will have a great vacation at Palmdale RV Resort. In general, books don't earn space in our #Lance1685 20' travel trailer - just not enough room. Campsite: #90 was our spot. Padre Island is on the Central Flyway, a major migration route for birds traveling between North, Central and South America. In our quest for beaches suitable for RV camping, we discovered that Padre Island National Seashore has one of the few places where RVs can actually drive on the beach to park near the water. Corpus Christi You can contact the site through their website or by calling. Ramp time limit is 5 minutes to unload and load,NO FISHING FROM BOAT LAUNCH. The camping fee at Malaquite Campground is $8 a night. This park prides itself with security and location. P.O. Click here to learn more about Tropical Trails RV Park. As a community, it is being very well maintained. I would not choose Site #90 again. If youre a new visitor at the Sunset Palms RV and Mobile Home Park, check out the ongoing new customer discounts and packages. Check this out! The row of campsites on the beach side face the Gulf of Mexico, though you need to walk to the beach entryway to get out on the beach. The Village has countless amenities, and it is truly a luxury vacation spot, with sites on the water with dock access and much to do. This park is level, laid out well, with spacious sites and shade trees. The managers and operators wish for everyone to have a completely hassle-free and memorable experience. For a great outdoors trip to the Rio Grande Valley, consider putting Palmdale RV Resort on your must-visit list. There were a lot of great, spacious, sites to choose from that would a lot of size rigs.