North Beach Dispersed Camping
Padre Island National Seashore
Write a Review North Beach Access Rd. Corpus Christi, TX 78418 361-949-8069 Official WebsiteGPS: 27.4774, -97.2742
Overview of North Beach Dispersed Camping
Be aware of the tides and high tide line when choosing a beach campsite. Strong winds or storms can significantly elevate tides and create hazardous conditions along the Gulf Coast.
Park entrance fee required as well as a free camping permit available at the park entrance station and the self-registration kiosk at the entrance to North Beach.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving on sandy beaches.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Bob Powell on 3/3/2023
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Betsy Kelley on 12/27/2018
Elevation 0 ft / 0 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about North Beach Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. (361) 949-8069
Chuck.N asked on 10/24/2020
We have a very large RV. Will we have trouble turning around to get out?
Outdoor man asked on 11/14/2021
Are there typically spots available? Can you drop your trailer to go to town?
Sarah asked on 3/18/2021
Is tent camping allowed at North Beach in Padre Island National Seashore?
Reviews of North Beach Dispersed Camping 23 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 1/25/2021
Confirmed by 11 Users
Last reported 3/15/2023
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 4/10/2022
“Be Careful Of The Tides!”
Reviewed 3/3/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| RV Length: | 19' (Toy Hauler Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Others have posted “don’t get too close to the dunes” because the sand is soft. And that’s true, however, I was set up right in the edge of the soft sand, well above the packed-down “road” along the beach. I had been there for several days and it was fine, and then one day the high tides were a lot higher than the previous days, and th... more
Others have posted “don’t get too close to the dunes” because the sand is soft. And that’s true, however, I was set up right in the edge of the soft sand, well above the packed-down “road” along the beach. I had been there for several days and it was fine, and then one day the high tides were a lot higher than the previous days, and the water was coming in under my trailer. I had to pack up in a hurry and get off the beach. So just beware of the tides.
AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Don't park too close to the dunes!”
Reviewed 2/19/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| RV Length: | 36' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Oh my goodness! I don't know what it's like at other times of the year, but in February it was a dream! It wasn't crowded at all! Each morning I woke up and found sand dollars and shells along the shore. We saw tons of Progress Man of Wars, as well as Cabbage Head jellyfish. Watch out for parking too close to the dunes, as the sand is ... more
Oh my goodness! I don't know what it's like at other times of the year, but in February it was a dream! It wasn't crowded at all! Each morning I woke up and found sand dollars and shells along the shore. We saw tons of Progress Man of Wars, as well as Cabbage Head jellyfish.
Watch out for parking too close to the dunes, as the sand is we're soft there.
It's paradise! Enjoy!
Dontmakemepullover would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful FREE beach camping experience”
Reviewed 4/10/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | N/A |
Overall Rating
We loved our stayed at Padre Island National Seashore North Beach. There were few other campers our entire time. It is less crowded than South beach. There are no facilities at North beach, just a large trash can and registration kiosk at the entrance. Be careful to watch the tides as I hear storm surge can push the water up to the dun... more
We loved our stayed at Padre Island National Seashore North Beach. There were few other campers our entire time. It is less crowded than South beach. There are no facilities at North beach, just a large trash can and registration kiosk at the entrance. Be careful to watch the tides as I hear storm surge can push the water up to the dunes. We didn’t have this issue during our stay though I spoke to others who had. Also be careful not to park too close to the dunes as the sand is softer there. We got stuck in our way out! Otherwise our time here was magical!
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T-Mobile 4G
Jama would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great beach camping, does require entrance fee/permit”
Reviewed 2/2/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | NA |
| RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Wonderful camping along the beach. Sand was quite stable for our camper van. Does require entrance fee ($25) for 7 day permit, but well worth it. Can dump and refill down at the established campground near the visitor center. Cell service is weak. Loved it. WanderingWakes.net
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T-Mobile 4G
WanderingWakes.Net would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beach camping at its best”
Reviewed 1/9/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Set up between the “road bed” and the dunes. If high tide is less than 1.9 and no storm surge then no issues. The visitors center has tide tables information by the month to take. Wonderful beach camping experience.
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AT&T 4G
Bluebeard would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great free beach camping”
Reviewed 12/15/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Awesome free camping right on the beach. There is no sign but google maps will take you right to the turnoff. Ignore the entering fee area sign. I confirmed with Rangers that this is a free area. They just ask that you fill out slip at kiosk so they can keep track of 14 day limit.
Robrv would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“No potable water 3/16/2021”
Reviewed 3/17/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | na |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
At ranger check in we were told there is no water available. Sinks were off in visitor center. Go with tank filled or call to confirm. Luckily we had 1-4 tank so all was well. Camped on north beach. Was a bit rutted and or stabilizers gathered some sand. Glad to have 4WD. Used our weboost and went from 2 bar 3G to 3 bar LTE. Easy ... more
At ranger check in we were told there is no water available. Sinks were off in visitor center. Go with tank filled or call to confirm. Luckily we had 1-4 tank so all was well. Camped on north beach. Was a bit rutted and or stabilizers gathered some sand. Glad to have 4WD. Used our weboost and went from 2 bar 3G to 3 bar LTE. Easy turn around for our big rig
cyclebuddies would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Riding Out the 2021 Polar Vortex at Free Beachfront Camping”
Reviewed 2/12/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 7 |
Overall Rating
Easily accessible beachfront boondocking spot on the Texas coast. Pulled in on a Monday after camping on South Beach at Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) to seek less traffic and better cellular data service. Views are incredible and the ocean noise is calming. My kid had a blast searching for seashells, playing in the sand, and br... more
Easily accessible beachfront boondocking spot on the Texas coast. Pulled in on a Monday after camping on South Beach at Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) to seek less traffic and better cellular data service. Views are incredible and the ocean noise is calming. My kid had a blast searching for seashells, playing in the sand, and briefly enjoying the brisk winter sea. The first few days held 75 degree sunny days in the middle of winter, and as the vortex came through only a few hours below freezing temperatures with most days getting to the at least to the mid 40's (remember this is a worst-case winter situation here), so no worries about freezing tanks and excess propane usage. Access to the beachfront is provided by a paved road. Before accessing the beach there is an information kiosk and large dumpster. The transition to the beach area was smooth when we were there but we were warned these conditions could change. Camped during the highest tides of the month (+1.5) and there was at least 25' of beach between the camper and gulf at max tide without having to tuck into the dunes. Only traction challenge was getting the camper moving from stationary when leaving which was easily solved by turning on 4wd on stock tires. You'll find marine debris (small trash pieces) washed up onshore daily (a phenomenon caused by gulf currents); this wasn't a big deal for us and PINS gives out free trash bags to assist cleanup at the park visitor's center. A dump station is just up the road through the gates of the park with potable water (which was quite slow on 2 separate occasions). Cellular service was reliable for voice, data, and even streaming when connected to a booster (we have a WeBoost). Nearby Padre Island has a grocery store ($$$$), hardware store, multiple fuel stations (with propane cylinder exchange), and restaurants; Corpus Christi (30 min drive) is large enough to provide additional services needed. This and nearby South Beach were so enjoyable they will become an annual trip for us; hard to beat free beachfront camping!
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T-Mobile 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fantastic Boondocking ”
Reviewed 1/25/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
This location is directly on the beach and about 8 miles from Corpus Christi. Very quiet. Very lovely. Gorgeous beaches.
If you’re in a class A it could be a little bit precarious getting in an out with the loose sound but it’s doable.
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Verizon 4G
tanna would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A short beach strip, free, beautiful”
Reviewed 12/15/2020
Overall Rating
We loved it here. The tide can come a bit uncomfortable close, but never really too close. The short beach is separated by a fence from the other sides, so cars cannot pass, though pedestrians can.
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AT&T 4G
Nina Herzig would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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1 review
“Check the tide?”
noted 3/15/2023
3-15-2023. Tide is too high to stay here without worry. Too bad as it's a nice quiet beach with just enough cell signal to get by. I stayed here Jan 2022 and the tide was far from a concern.
16 reviews
“Soft Sand Is a Real Problem ”
noted 3/9/2023
I camped overnight on several Texas beaches in 2022, but was a bit careless yesterday. I was trying to keep some distance from the water in case the tide became a problem later on. And then I went too close to the dunes and became stuck.
A young man saw my situation and brought a shovel. And then he and a woman my age helped me place my orange blocks in front of the tires and we made some progress, but not enough.
A man named Gil happened by and was able to tow me out with his small 4x4 Jeep named “Waylon” for free. Gil and his associates do it as a service to the public.
He said the facebook group is called:
361 Off-Road Rescue
Private group · 15K members
You have to answer a few questions before you can join the group.
About 10 pm a young man knocked on my door and said his pickup truck was stuck in the sand right next to the registration kiosk located some distance away from the water. We were lucky that a young man from Canada nearby was awake and was willing to use his SUV to help pull the pickup truck back away from the kiosk. So we didn’t contact the rescue group.
Note: the National Park Service asks visitors to pick up a free trash bag from the Visitor Center and pick up the trash that washes ashore from the Gulf Currents. Yesterday happened to be a lot worse than what I saw last year. There is a dumpster near the kiosk. The trash is the only downside to an otherwise great place.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- fishing
- swimming beach
- water access
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