Camping @ South Padre

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee

Is it possible to camp in a place that is also good for kiting? How is February there?

Thanks. Jeb

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

i've seen busses camped on the beach ,and some on the flats ,
but that was years ago

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

feb is not as consistent as march, apr, may, but it still blows 2 - 5 days a week
the campground is in the park where you launch for downwinders in south wind (isla blanca park and campground)it is about 2 - 3 miles from the flats
it has showers and little bunk houses and is a short bike ride from lots of restaurants and shops
gulf side

there is no camping at the south flats, maybe allowed at the north but i doubt it.

you can also camp at some of the beach accesses that are to the north end of the island. i know a couple who lived there in their truck last year. he probably still does.

the north end is pretty desolate. you can stay for free if you want.

don't camp on the beach if there is north wind or you could end up washing away

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

No camping allowed at the North Flats.

I don't want to scare you into not beach camping, but here is a link for you to read, before deciding:

http://kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2328879&start=10&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Also, last February was quite mild, but that is not the usual case. You can get a chill factor with the "Blue Northers" that will make you think you are back in Washington state. The good news is that motels are cheap and empty, that time of year. Hint: don't walk into the lobby and ask for a room. You loose all your bargaining leverage...always call and try to get a better weekly or monthly rate. Some offer a large free breakfast with the room. If you do it right, you might get a motel for less than $20/ night, with a free breakfast, and some fruit for lunch at the beach.

By the way, they just reported catching the guys who assaulted the camper.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

i used to live down there... many a night, we would party on the north end, but never stayed up there overnight...too rough.

there used to be an RV type area on the north end (just north of the housing and civilization), and if I remember right, there was a camping area on the mainland just across the bridge, but I can't remember exactly where.

the last post is right, call ahead to hotels and bargain a weekly rate.

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee

Thanks you all !

Jeb

borely · Since 05 Jul 2006 23 Posts MN

I have camped right across from the north flats for weeks and it is just fine just dont go to far down the beach stay closer to the inlet it is super safe and sick right on the water down winders in surf in each diretion its all good! there is camping right before going into the park that wakeup was mentoining also just take a right after Dirty Als theres a shower and tent spots down close to the water. U can pick up wireless internet there also.