Padre Island costs $25 per car
Padre Island National Seashore charges $25 for a private car. The pass covers everyone in the car and is good for 7 days. People on foot or bike pay $15 each, and motorcycles pay $20. Kids 15 and under get in free. A Padre Island annual pass costs $45. The $80 America the Beautiful pass also covers entry. A 1 day pass costs $10 per car or $5 per person.
Padre Island National Seashore fees in 2026
| Private vehicle, everyone inside | $25, good for 7 days |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $20, good for 7 days |
| Per person on foot or bike | $15, good for 7 days |
| Padre Island annual pass | $45 |
| America the Beautiful annual pass (US residents) | $80, good at every national park |
| Family of 4 in one car, 7 days | $25 |
|---|---|
| 2 adults hiking or biking in | $30 |
America the Beautiful passes are accepted here. A 1 day pass costs $10 per car, $5 per motorcycle or $5 per person on foot. It ends at midnight and does not cover camping. Sources: National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore fees and passes; National Park Service Data API, fees and passes for every park (pulled September 26, 2026).
Other park fees in Texas
Planning more than one park? Here is what each one charges in 2026.
| Big Bend National Park | $30 per car |
|---|
What this price covers
What the park says: Park entrance fees are required year-round, for all areas of the park. Padre Island National Seashore offers 1-day, 7-day, and annual entrance passes. 1-day entrance passes are valid until midnight on the date of purchase.
About the main pass: Admits the passholder and up to 15 passengers in the same private (non-commercial) vehicle. It expires one week from the date of purchase. For private vehicles, this entrance pass is required for overnight camping. A 1-day entrance pass is available for $10 per vehicle. 1-day entrance passes expire at midnight on the date of purchase and are not valid for overnight camping.
About the annual pass: Admits the passholder and up to 15 passengers in the same private (non-commercial) vehicle or motorcycle. It expires one year from the month of purchase.
Which pass is best for you? A single visit costs $25 for your whole car. The park annual pass costs $45 and only works here. The $80 America the Beautiful pass works at every national park for 12 months, and covers everyone in one car, or the pass holder plus 3 adults where the fee is per person. US residents 62 and older can buy a $20 annual or $80 lifetime senior pass instead. US military members can get a free pass.
The entrance fee does not cover camping, tours, lodging or shuttles run by private companies.
What changes your price
- How you arrive. One car pays $25 for everyone inside. Walkers and cyclists pay $15 each.
- Age. Kids 15 and under are free.
- How often you come. The park annual pass costs $45.
Ways to pay less
- Visiting 4 or more parks that charge about $25 this year? The $80 America the Beautiful pass costs less.
- Coming back to Padre Island? The $45 annual pass pays off on your second visit in 12 months.
- Buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov before you go. Signal can be weak near park entrances.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the National Park Service. We pulled the fee data for every park from the official NPS Data API on September 26, 2026, and each park's own fees page shows the same numbers. Where we show a total, we only add up the park's own fees. We do not add our own guesses. Fees can change, so check the park's page before you go.
Common questions
How much does it cost to get into Padre Island National Seashore?
$25 per car, good for 7 days.
Is Padre Island free for kids?
Yes. Kids 15 and under get in free.
Does the America the Beautiful pass work at Padre Island?
Yes. The $80 annual pass covers the entrance fee.
Do foreign visitors pay more at Padre Island?
No. Padre Island is not one of the 11 parks with the $100 non-resident fee.