North Padre Island is a barrier island along the coast of Texas. It and South Padre Island were formed after the creation of the Port Mansfield Channel split Padre Island in two. From north to south, North Padre Island is located in parts of Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, and Willacy counties. The northernmost part of the island to the Kleberg County line is part of the city of Corpus Christi. Padre Island was once one island —today it is two and referred as North Padre Island, and South Padre Island. Padre Island National Seashore welcomed 674,704 visitors in 2020. Padre Island National Seashore is a national park that includes about 66 miles of undeveloped beaches and natural habitat. The national seashore is located on [North] Padre Island near the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. This national park is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week for visitors.[1][2]
The upper portion of North Padre Island is a district of the city of Corpus Christi. "The Island" as known by locals consists of high-income residential housing and condominiums and is a popular fishing destination. The Packery Channel, an inlet which connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Laguna Madre, separates North Padre Island from Mustang Island. There are numerous hotels located on North Padre Island, either along the beach or near the intersection of Texas Highway 361 and Texas Park Road 22, the district's two only main thoroughfares. Boating is also a popular activity on the island as the residential neighborhoods are connected by a series of canals which lead to the Gulf of Mexico.