7 Best RV Parks in South Padre Island

If you’re looking for RV parks on South Padre Island, there are plenty of excellent choices for every type of RVer. Here, you’ll find the best options for easy access to SPI’s year-round balmy island vibes, sparkling blue-green waters, soft sand and swaying palm trees.

To help you narrow down your search, we’ve included details like the Google ratings, location, number of RV sites available, nightly rates, and standout features.

Ready to roll? Let’s get started.

South Padre Island KOA Holiday: Best Overall

Google Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.3k reviews
Location: 1 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 1/2 a mile
RV Sites: 215
Rates: $70 to $100 daily
Standout Features: Year-round pool, hot tub, propane station, fishing, fenced dog park, free shuttle, boat ramp, sports courts, plus tent camping.

Retreat to SPI KOA Holiday, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find an outstanding number of amenities, fun activities, and cordial management. This retreat is close to everything but tucked away from the traffic and noise. On top of the standout features, the RV park has a camp store, sandy playground, a sunset deck, laundry, and free WiFi.

The grounds and facilities are clean and well-maintained, and RV spots are spacious and roomy. Each site has full hookups (20/30/50), cable TV, a picnic table, and a patio. Some spots can fit big rigs up to 98′ long. While there, check out one of the best seafood restaurants in town, Dirty Al’s, which serves a variety of grilled and fried seafood options. The fried shrimp is a favorite of patrons if you’re into that.

Isla Blanca Park: Largest Public RV Park

Google Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3.9k reviews
Location: 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 1/2 a mile
RV Sites: 600+
Rates: $30 to $65 daily
Standout Features: Full and partial hookups, beach access, gear rental services, walking trails, short walk to town, and broad walk with covered benches.

Isla Blanca Park is an enormous, no-frills county campground featuring over 600 full-hookup spots. Some of the basic amenities to support RVers include showers, toilets, cable TV, shaded picnic areas, and dumpsters. Other facilities include two large pavilions, jetties for surf fishing, a bait stand, tent rentals, boat ramps, dining options, and a full-service marina.

There’s a boardwalk and sidewalks to the beach. Guests enjoy fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, diving, jet skiing, beach walks, and bike rides. Want to tour the SPI’s attractions? There’s a free bus system that picks you up in front of the park. Campsites are quite inconsistent regarding size, types of hookups, and surface. Based on recent reviews, the bathhouses leave much to be desired, and the check-in process can be frustrating.

Check Out: 45 Best RV Park Amenities

Jetstream Tropical Trails RV Resort: Best Luxury RV Resort

Google Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 181 reviews
Location: 3605 FM511, Brownsville, TX 78526, United States
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 22.1 miles
RV Sites: 300
Rates: $30 to $90 daily
Standout Features: Large heated pool, hot tub, clubhouse with lounge, outdoor picnic areas, fitness center, arcade, spacious full hookup sites with 30/50 amp power, cottages, and high-speed internet

If you prefer campgrounds with luxury RV amenities, you’re in for a treat at Jetstream RV Resort. This RVing paradise welcomes campers of all ages and offers short- and long-term sites. The resort is 30 minutes from South Padre Island in Brownsville, but its resort-style amenities are a huge draw. This could be a good option if you plan to stay in the area for longer than a few days, so you can enjoy the amenities the resort offers on some days and travel to SPI on others.

For fun and games, there are pickleball courts, shuffleboard, a playground, yard games area with string lights, and golf cart rentals. For relaxation, you’ll have a beer garden with picnic tables, an outdoor kitchen with grills, a covered BBQ area, and an outdoor fire pit with a pergola. Campers will also appreciate the premium covered pull-thru sites, gated security, three laundry facilities, showers, propane fill station, dog park, pet wash, and covered, climate-controlled RV storage facility.

Andy Bowie County Park: Best Public Campground On the Beach

Google Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.9k reviews
Location: 7300 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 4.1 miles
RV Sites: 24
Rates: $20 to $45 daily
Standout Features: Next to the beach, quiet vibe, full hookups, dry spots, clean showers, and friendly staff.

If you’re looking for a nice place to stay for a few nights as you explore South Padre Island, direct your wheeled home to Andy Bowie County Park. It’s a small public campground in a serene setting right next to the beach.

Guests will have full hookups, picnic tables, a covered pavilion, restroom facilities, showers, and a boardwalk to the beach. For activities, explore the sandy shores or head to the Birding and Convention centers across the street. Note that sites are pretty close, with little privacy, and big rigs may struggle to park. For example, our fifth-wheel is over 40 feet, and this park cannot accommodate us.

Edwin King Atwood Park: Best for Dispersed Camping

Google Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k reviews
Location: 27159 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 6 miles
RV Sites: Park anywhere
Rates: Offseason is free and on-season requires a $12 camping permit regardless of the length of stay
Standout Features: Dispersed camping on the beach, public showers, restrooms, and pavilions.

If you prefer to boondock, Edwin King Atwood Park is the best place for primitive camping in South Padre Island. Pick your spot anywhere on the beach and take advantage of public facilities near the entrance. They include restrooms, showers, 2 large pavilions, BBQ areas, a dumpster, and beach gear rental.

Note that this is a popular area, so it can get crowded and noisy (loud music and fireworks). Also, beware of the soft sand. Only the first several miles of the beach are accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles and RVs. Miles 5 to 24 are only accessible by 4×4 vehicles. Campers can build fires on the beach, fish, windsurf, and watch dolphins.

Planning To Stay Overnight on the Beach? Boondocking in an RV: 9 Helpful Tips

Port Isabel Park Center, LLC.: Best Long Term RV Park

Google Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 266 reviews
Location: 702 Champion Ave, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Distance from SPI Visitors Center: 3.7 miles
RV Sites: 400
Rates: $40 to $120 daily, $250 to $570 weekly, and $470 to $1,040 monthly + metered electricity
Standout Features: Swimming pool, hot tub, rec hall, vehicle wash station, lighted fishing piers, floating boat docks, and planned activities.

Port Isabel is a gated community RV park that’s close to everything, yet far enough from road noise. You’ll love the quiet atmosphere, accommodating staff, and well-maintained amenities. RV sites differ in size but have full hookups — some with covered wooden decks.

Other highlights include bathhouses, laundry, a kayak launch, pool tables, a workout room, a dump station, and paved streets. During the winter, guests enjoy activities like cribbage, bingo, and live music. Reserve a spot next to the water to fish or watch the pelicans and other birds come and go. The main complaint from visitors is that the management is a little overboard with the rules, so keep that in mind.

Top Tip: The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse is located in Port Isabel and is open to the public most days of the year. I’ve visited and enjoyed it. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. However, be prepared to climb the stairs. Children under 5 are not allowed, and children may not be carried up or down the stairs.

Port Isabel Marina and RV Park: Best Waterfront Sites

Google Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars from 72 reviews
Location: 706 TX-100, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Distance from SPI Visitor Center: 3.7 miles
RV Sites: 100
Rates: $30 to $65 daily
Standout Features: Water, power, and sewer hook-ups, cable, a convenient laundry room, plus a small dock and boat ramp.

If you picture yourself camping in a waterfront RV site, book a spot at Port Isabel Marina & RV Park. This recently renovated oasis is in a convenient setting and offers sites with amazing views of the channel.

Some details include showers, bathrooms, a ramp to launch your vessel, beautiful sunsets, swaying palm trees, and dolphin sightings. Spaces are pretty tight, but the staff are friendly and ready to assist if you need help parking.

Other Top South Padre Island RV Parks

Here are some other South Padre Island RV camping options:

Long Island Village – 4.5 out of 5 stars from 439 reviews
Tarpon RV Park and Marina – 3.8 out of 5 stars from 48 reviews

About South Padre Island + Things to Do

South Padre Island is a stunning coastal gem located on the southern tip of Texas, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre. It’s the only tropical island in Texas, and it consists of 34 miles of pristine sandy beaches. It’s renowned for its soft sand, blue-green water, rich birdlife, and calm mild weather. The island receives 300 days of sunshine yearly, making it a great getaway for snowbirds.

Wondering what to do during your trip? Here are the most popular South Padre Island activities:

Spend a day at the 40-acre SPI Adventure Park. It offers horseback riding on the beach, pony rides for kids, zip lining, and a petting barn.
Head to Sea Turtle, Inc. to get an up-close view of different species of sea turtles.
Stroll along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, a boardwalk that offers you rare opportunities to observe local and migratory birds in their natural habitat.
Go on a guided SPI Birding Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary tour. It features a 5-story viewing tower, over half a mile of raised boardwalk, as well as bird blinds.
Marvel at the 72-foot high Port Isabel Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1852 and is the only one in the area that’s open to the public.
Interact with dolphins, starfish, hermit crabs, and other marine species at the Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center.
Get a glimpse into space at the SpaceX launch site. You can even observe rocket launches and landings.
Cool off at Beach Park at Isla Blanca. It features uphill water coasters, a towering sand castle, tube slides, wading pools, a heated swimming pool with a swim-up bar, cabana rentals, water gear rentals, and tent sites.

RV Parks South Padre Island FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about South Padre Island RV Parks:

Can You Park an RV on South Padre Island?

Yes, South Padre Island has plenty of dedicated RV campgrounds to park your wheeled home. They even allow dispersed camping on the beach, starting from Beach Access #5 to any point north.

How Much are RV Parks in South Padre Island?

RV camping in South Padre Island costs between $30 and $120 per night, with the average being $60. You can even camp for free on the beach for up to 14 days in areas like Edwin King Atwood Park.

What’s the Best Time to Visit South Padre Island?

The best time to visit South Padre Island is from September to February, when there are fewer crowds. The worst time to visit is spring break, as the island transforms into a major destination for partying college students. Summer months are fine, but there’s a slight risk of hurricane weather.

South Padre Island: A Tropical Gem That’s RV-Friendly

With a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, a wealth of outdoor activities, and well-equipped RV parks, South Padre Island offers the best of all worlds rolled into one vacation destination. Whether you want an up-scale RV resort, a no-frills campground to spend the night, or a secluded boondocking location, SPI has it all.

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Author Profile

Cynthia Measom

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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.

The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.