Padre Island National Seashore Travel Planner

History, Geology, and Natural Resources:

The efforts to establish the largest stretch of undeveloped ocean beach in America as a state park began in 1936, but were unsuccessful due to a struggle between public and private interests over ownership of the land. In 1958 Texas senator Ralph Yarborough introduced a bill to establish a national park on the island. In 1962, the United States Congress signed legislation establishing Padre Island National Seashore. The enabling legislation, Public Law 87-712, stated the purpose was to "to save and preserve, for purposes of public recreation, benefit, and inspiration, a portion of the diminishing seashore of the United States that remains and is to remain undeveloped." On April 8, 1968, "Lady Bird" Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Johnson, dedicated Padre Island National Seashore. In 1998, Padre Island was designated a "Globally Important Bird Area" by the American Bird Conservancy.

Profile of a Barrier Island
Information on barrier islands from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Padre Island National Seashore
General Information	Lodging in the Park
Getting to the Park	Photographs and Maps
Camping	National Parks & State Parks
Educational Opportunities	Things to Do
History and Geology	Travel & Tourism Offices
Jobs and Volunteering	Weather