Malaquite Visitor Center complex at Padre Island National Seashore

OPERATING HOURS

The Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Public restrooms located outside the building are open from 7 AM to 9 PM.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can pick up a park brochure and ask questions
• Book / souvenir store
• Small Padre Island museum
• Restrooms
• Large picnic area on the deck and a picnic pavilion with grill located on the opposite side of the parking lot
• Outdoor rinse-off showers (open 24/7) at the main complex and at the picnic pavilion
• Pet washing station
• Ice
• Easy access to Malaquite Beach
• Night sky observation area

Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore

PICNICKING

The are nearly two dozen picnic tables and a dozen bar-style tables on the deck of the Malaquite Visitor Center complex. There are no grills, and all tables are taken on a first come, first served basis. There is a nice view of the beach from many of the tables.

View of Malaquite Beach from the deck of the Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore

Located on the opposite side of the parking lot from the Visitor Center complex is a picnic pavilion with eight tables and a large grill. Tables here are also taken on a first come, first served basis.

Picnic pavilion at the Malaquite Visitor Center, Padre Island National Seashore

BEACH ACCESS

A boardwalk leads from the Malaquite Visitor Center complex to Malaquite Beach, the beach area in front of the building. It is part of the larger Closed Beach, which gets its name because it is closed to vehicle traffic.

View of the Malaquite Visitor Center from Malaquite Beach, Padre Island National Seashore

SHOWERS

Outdoor rinse-off showers are available at the main Visitor Center complex and across the parking lot near the picnic pavilion. These are open at all times, and any visitor to Padre Island National Seashore is welcome to use them.

Outdoor rinse-off showers at Padre Island National Seashore’s Malaquite Visitor Center

There is also a dog washing station…oops…pet washing station. The federal government is all about inclusion. It doesn’t want to offend your cats, birds, cows, kangaroos, or whatever other pets you might bring with you to the park.

Pet washing station at Malaquite Visitor Center, Padre Island National Seashore

NIGHT SKY OBSERVATION AREA

Located next to the picnic pavilion is an area enclosed by a tall, wooden fence. This is a night sky observation area. There are no telescopes, so you must bring your own. The fence blocks some of the ground lights coming from the Visitor Center and parking lot.

Night Sky Observatory at Malaquite Visitor Center, Padre Island National Seashore

Inside the Night Sky Observatory at Malaquite Visitor Center, Padre Island National Seashore

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