In honor of 100 years of the National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, along with all the other national parks in the U.S., offered 16 fee-free days. PINS is now considering doubling its entry fees. Photo courtesy PINS.
Fees could double at Padre Island National Seashore. The national park is holding an open house 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 5 to discuss possible fee increases that would take effect later this year. The meeting will be in the Education Auditorium at the Malaquite Visitor Center, 20402 Park Road 22.
Currently $10, a seven-day pass for a single vehicle would increase to $20. Annual passes would increase from $20 to $40. Individual seven-day passes would increase from $5 to $10. A seven-day pass for motorcycles would triple from $5 to $15.
Camping fees would increase from $8 for one to six people to $14 in Malaquite Campground. Bird Island Basin Campground fees for one to six people would increase from $5 to $8.
Entrance for active duty military would remain free. Boat launch ramp fees of $5 would also remain the same.
“We are committed to keeping the park affordable, but we also want to provide visitors with updated amenities and the best possible experience,” said Padre Island National Seashore Superintendent Mark Spier. “The money from camping, entrance and boat ramp fees is used to improve facilities, infrastructure and visitor services.”
Recently, fees were used to construct the new Malaquite Education Center and a wildlife viewing observation station. Plans for revenue brought in by the increases would be used to make boat ramp area improvements and create new exhibits at the visitor center.
