Padre Island National Seashore will be free for the public on Saturday, celebrating the start of National Park Week and National Junior Ranger Day.
It is one of our days when the seashore is free for all. Other days include Aug. 25 (National Park Service Anniversary), Sept. 28 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).
“Fee free days provide a wonderful opportunity for visitors that might otherwise not be familiar with a park, to come and explore it for free,” Park Superintendent Mark Spier said. “If they have a good experience we hope they will become regular visitors to the National Seashore.”
Padre Island National Seashore normally charges $10 per vehicle for a one-day visit, $20 per vehicle for a week-long pass or $40 for an annual pass. Free passes are available for active duty military members and their dependents.
The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, families of fourth-grade students and disabled citizens.
Padre Island National Seashore is one of 115 National Park Service sites that charge entrance fees. The other 303 national parks do not charge entrance fees.
