In the event that multiple sea turtles nest during the summer nesting season, visitors traveling to and on the gulf beach may experience slight traffic delays. Visitors should notify a Park Ranger or Turtle Patroller immediately if they find a nesting sea turtle, call 361-949-8068 or 361-949-8173, extension 226.

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation to or from the park.  

No driving is permitted in the dunes, grasslands, or mudflats. 

Certain areas of the park may occasionally be closed due to weather conditions (flooding, unusually high tides, etc.).  If you are planning a trip down island, please call ahead or send an e-mail shortly before your departure to double-check on driving conditions.

Please note that most of the park is accessible only to four-wheel-drive vehicles and that there are no emergency services available in the four-wheel-drive area.   If you plan on driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle down island, please call first for advice on conditions.  Follow the link on the right to our "Traveling Down Island" webpage for advice on driving in deep, loose sand.  The park will not tow out vehicles that become stuck and towing bills are very expensive.

Please note that in Texas, beaches are considered public highways and therefore only licensed, street-legal vehicles are allowed on the beaches.   In general, all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs) cannot be licensed for use on Texas highways except under special circumstances.  The park is therefore licensed to use them in protecting endangered sea turtles.  However, private ATVs are not allowed on park beaches or roadways.