There are three picnic areas at Padre Island National Seashore, two at the Malaquite Visitor Center and one at Bird Island Basin.
MALAQUITE VISITOR CENTER PICNIC AREAS
The largest picnic area at the Malaquite Visitor Center is on the deck of main complex. Here you will find nearly two dozen picnic tables and a half dozen wooden bar-style tables under the partial shade of a wood-slat roof. There are no grills. All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis.
A second picnic area is located on the opposite side of the parking lot from the Visitor Center complex. There are eight tables and a large grill with two cooking surfaces. If you need to use the restroom, there is a fancy outhouse—chemical toilet in a permanent building—next to the pavilion, or you can walk back to the Visitor Center and use the modern restroom.
A ramp from the Visitor Center complex leads down to the beach, and there are another half dozen picnic tables there as well.
BIRD ISLAND BASIN PICNIC AREA
There is a Day Use Area at Bird Island Basin with three picnic tables right on the Laguna Madre and four tables on the opposite side of the parking lot near a small pond. There are no grills. A fancy outhouse is located near the entrance.
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Last updated on March 1, 2022