Just south of Corpus Christi lies one of the most spectacular natural areas on the entire Gulf Coast — Padre Island National Seashore. Stretching over 70 miles of undeveloped barrier island coastline, it is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the United States, and it's right in our backyard here at Colonia del Rey RV Park.
The island separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre, one of only a handful of hypersaline lagoons in the entire world. The combination of open Gulf waves on one side and the calm, shallow lagoon on the other creates an extraordinary range of habitats — and an extraordinary range of things to do. Swimming, fishing, shelling, birdwatching, windsurfing, and kayaking are all on the table depending on which stretch of beach you visit.
For RV travelers, Padre Island is a dream destination. The National Park Service maintains a campsite area near the Malaquite Visitor Center that accommodates RVs, and the park also allows primitive beach camping further down the island for those with four-wheel-drive vehicles and a spirit of adventure. Waking up to the sound of Gulf waves with nothing in sight but sand dunes and water is something that's hard to put into words.
Wildlife is one of the biggest draws. The island is a critical nesting ground for the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, the world's most endangered sea turtle. From late April through mid-July, the park runs a sea turtle hatchling release program that gives visitors a rare chance to watch baby turtles make their first journey to the sea. It's a remarkable experience, especially for families with children.
Birdwatchers will also find Padre Island to be one of the richest spots in North America, with hundreds of species passing through during migration season. Dolphins are commonly spotted just offshore, and on calm days the lagoon side offers some of the clearest shallow-water views you'll find anywhere on the Gulf.
Whether you're staying a night or a week, Padre Island National Seashore is the kind of place that reminds you why you bought an RV in the first place. Come down and stay with us at Colonia del Rey RV Park in Corpus Christi — the seashore is less than 20 minutes away.