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Malaquite Campground is open to tents and RVs. It is right next to the beach and has paved parking, designated sites, restrooms, cold water showers, and picnic tables. Some sites have grills and shade structures. No hookups. A black/gray water dumping station and potable water station are on the road entering the campground. Those with a paid site in the campground can pitch a tent either at the site or on the beach in front of the campground. This campground is first-come, first-served (no reservations).
Malaquite Campground is about half a mile north of the Malaquite Visitor Center. To get there, travel to North Padre Island (part of Corpus Christi, Texas). Get on Park Road 22 heading east. Stay on Park Road 22 until it ends at Padre Island National Seashore. Go through the entrance station (a booth in the middle of the road), then continue for about 3-4 miles. Turn left at the large wooden sign labeled "Campground."
I almost don't want to say how quiet and beautiful this location is on Padre Island, because we will want to go back over and over, and I would hate to not be able to get a place. We stayed at the first-come "multi-use" sites with our small RV in December. Waking to the beautiful sunrise over the ocean just can't be beat.
Not much in the way of services in December, but if you are looking for quiet and views... Yeah.
This campground is in great shape. Clean and maintained well. The restrooms are clean and flush good. There is no hot water in the showers, so be aware of that.
It was quite windy the entire time I was there. Very pretty sunrise and sunset. You can camp right on the beach if you choose to do so. The water is heavily chlorinated at the campground. The showers are cold. I would stay here again though.
Quiet no hook up parking lot. Sounds unattractive, but high tides and 30 mph winds scared us off the beach, so we ended up here. Beach is still visible and audible!! Love the beach. Goes on forever here, with not many folks around end of November. Bathroom is clean. Showers are cold, no hot water period. Even though it's a parking lot, the sites are big and have picnic tables. Sites on the east side of the lot are smaller and have grills and roofs that cover the tables.
It's a long drive down here (dead end too) but worth it.
Stayed here for several days. Although it was very rainy and windy the entire time, the location was unbeatable. Sites are first come and you pay at a station located in the parking lot. Cold showers only and the bathrooms could use updating. Potable water and empty station are nearby. Driving through the park is a pleasure. Due to weather, did not drive on the beach.
