Fees & Passes

80% of park fees stay within Padre Island National Seashore and go to improving the visitor experience. The other 20% of park fees goes to improving the visitor experience at parks that don't collect entrance fees, like San Antonio Missions NHP.

Fee Free days:

Several days each year, the National Park Service offers free admission to all parks that charge entrance fees, including Padre Island National Seashore. Mark your calendar and save these dates!

Park entrance:

The following fees and passes can be purchased online before your visit, but may also be purchased in person at the entrance station upon your arrival. If you will be staying overnight in the park, please purchase a 7-day pass.

Debit and credit cards are preferred for payment over cash.

• $10.00 per vehicle for a 1-day pass (expires at midnight)
• $25.00 per vehicle for a 7-day pass
• $45.00 per vehicle for a 1-year pass (valid for 12 months from date purchased)
• $5.00 per person for bicyclists and pedestrians for a 1-day pass (expires at midnight)
• $15.00 per person for bicyclists and pedestrians for a 7-day pass
• $7.00 per motorcycle for a 1-day pass (expires at midnight)
• $20.00 per motorcycle for a 7-day pass

Those with federal interagency passes enter free.

Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of people on board.

• If the vehicle capacity is 1-6 persons, the entrance fee is $25.
• If the vehicle capacity is 7-25 persons, the entrance fee is $40.
• If the vehicle capacity is 26+ persons, the entrance fee is $100.

Additional fees:

In addition to the park entrance fee, other fees apply to the use of specific areas within the park.
Please note that these fees are in ADDITION to the main park entrance fee.

Debit and credit cards are preferred for payment over cash.

• $5.00 per vehicle per day for a Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp
• $30.00 per vehicle per year for a Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp
• $14.00 per night per campsite to camp at Malaquite Campground
• $8.00 per night per campsite to camp at Bird Island Basin Campground

Those with federal interagency lifetime passes (i.e. Access, Senior) receive a 50% discount on these additional fees. Please note that Senior Bird Island Basin Boat Ramp passes are not available online at this time

 

2021 The America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

Sam Jezak, Redwood National and State Parks in California, 2019 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner.

Federal Interagency Passes

Interagency Annual Pass: $80

Available for: Everyone
How to purchase: In-person or online
Additional information: Non-transferable
Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Annual Pass

 

2021 Interagency Annual Pass - Military

Sam Jezak, 2019 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Interagency Annual Military Pass: Free

Available for: Current U.S. military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members
How to obtain: In person with Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Annual Pass for U.S. Military

Learn about a new program granting free access to U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families.

 

2021 Interagency Annual Senior Pass and the 2021 Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass

The 2021 Interagency Annual Senior Pass (Sam Jezak, 2019 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner) and the 2021 Senior Lifetime Pass (Yellowstone National Park/Lori Wilkinson).

Interagency Senior Pass: $20 Annual $80 Lifetime

Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.
How to purchase: In-person or online, there is an additional cost of $10 for passes purchased online.
Additional information: The Senior Pass provides a 50% discount on camping and boat launch fees at Padre Island National Seashore.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Senior Pass

 

2021 Interagency Access Pass

Steven Koehler, Yellowstone National Park

Interagency Access Pass: Free

Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
How to obtain: In-person or online, there is a processing fee of $10 charged for passes purchased online.
Additional information: The Access Pass provides a 50% discount on camping and boat launch fees at Padre Island National Seashore.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Access Pass

 

September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 - 4th Grade Pass

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, California, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/Laura Cox

Annual 4th Grade Pass: Free

(valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September-August)

Available for: U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass
How to obtain: Paper passes can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and can be exchanged for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at Padre Island National Seashore. Digital passes will not accepted.
Additional information: Non-transferable

Frequently Asked Questions about the Annual 4th Grade Pass

 

2021 Interagency Volunteer Pass

Sam Jezak, 2019 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Interagency Volunteer Annual Pass: Free

Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program
Additional information: Contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities or visit Volunteer.gov.

Six agencies participate in the interagency pass program:

• National Park Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers