Solo Camping at Padre Island National Seashore "PINS"

With 60 miles of mostly untamed coastline marked by sandy beaches that require a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, Padre Island National Seashore (or "PINS" for short) has a place where you can find solitude and remoteness like no other in the state of Texas. I had visited this place in a previous video with the rest of the family but we did not venture very far down the coast. This time I'm running solo with the Ram Power Wagon and M1102 military trailer as I try to find my very own piece of secluded beach to camp on. After a blustery night in the Smittybilt Gen 2 roof-top tent, I travel further down the coast and explore some of the off-chute trails that give this area some sense of "overlandability" (new word invented by yours truly). So come check out an area of untamed Texas coast that not many get to see.

[@johndonovan5894]

Captained tow boats down that way 40 years ago, ( ICW and the oil patch) lived in Aransas Pass. Headed down to PIN for some fishing in two weeks. Gonna camp on the gulf side and fish Laguna Madre. Great vid. Btw.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Very cool! I love the Texas coast! And thank you!

[@Quantrills.Raiders]

i camp on pins every year, a couple tips: when you dig your fire pit build a wind wall with wet sand around the pit to block wind, you dont need to buy firewood there is so much drift wood on the beach that will last you for days and its usually drier and easier to light than store bought wood. Dont pour gas on the beach. Go to the local fish market and pick up a couple of filets, i promise you fresh caught fish tastes way better than mountain house and its cheaper.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks for the advice!

[@Quantrills.Raiders]

@@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy thanks for getting me excited to camp on pins this winter!! powerwagon is badass btw

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

@@Quantrills.Raiders I’m glad you could draw inspiration from it! Have fun out there!

[@GoChangeYoLife]

Racking my brain trying to figure out when you were there and remember when we were there to see if we were there at the same time. I camped out there a while ago. You're correct! It was very peaceful. No noise and the waves crashing at night were awesome! We slept so well. Stayed out there three days. It was awesome!

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

That’s awesome! I love the coast! I remember your vide where you pulled someone out. Twice! Lol

[@GoChangeYoLife]

@@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy Oh yea. I forgot about that. Lol. I actually still communicate with him and he has since bought a Jeep JKU. He still has the 2wd Toyota as well.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

@@GoChangeYoLife that’s really cool!

[@alexg0742]

Hey, nice video. I live in San Antonio also. Great stuff.❤

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks! Small universe!

[@rl8571]

Very nice. We go there every year as a family (30+ people) and call it misery bonding time as there is no electricity or cell. We all hate the conditions but the isolation bonds the family together so we always end up coming back. As far as making fire for campfire or cooking, we started using charcoal briquettes with clay stoves over propane since the wind just drives charcoal hotter and once we are done cooking we dump the charcoal briquettes into our wood pile to start our campfire. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

What a cool and unique family tradition! I can totally see how that could be a bonding experience. And thanks for the advice on the fire. I'll definitely have to try that next time, hopefully down by mile marker 60! Thanks for watching!

[@danfish4life249]

With ATT I often times could get texts out when standing on the tallest dunes behind camp

[@brocklanders4034]

Awesome video, nice rig & set up!!🇺🇸

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you!

[@jumpoffjoe6572]

Awesome video! Thank you. My wife and I are headed there the end of September from Missouri to spend 6 nights in our 30' travel trailer. You really gave us some insight as to what to expect. Wind!

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you! We've camped on the Texas coast with a travel trailer before. It's nice because no fluttering fabric in the wind to keep you up at night. Just be mindful if you plan to use an awning. The wind is nice sometimes when temperatures are warm. Y'all are going to love it!

[@kevinmartin4787]

Great job filming and editing! Watching from Killeen Texas! 👍👍👍👍

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Much appreciated! 👍

[@abrahamozturgut5922]

Great video!👍

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you! 👍

[@texmex2338]

Awesome video great truck 🛻 💪🏼

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@SaltySouthernOutdoors]

Great video

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks!

[@PR-lu7tu]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks. Use Pull Start Fire brand fire starters when on the beach. I 've used on PINS and on Oregon coast for a few years now. I started one fire on beach in Oregon with 20+ knot onshore wind. Didn't use wind block to start fire. They're that good. No flame needed to start, just pull string.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the advice on the fire starters! I'll have to add that to my ever-growing list of camping supplies. Lol!

[@BlueLines50]

New Subscriber from South Texas, nice video keep them coming 🤙 Subscriber #991

[@shall6967]

Definitely missing out not going to Mansfield Cut, 60 miles down..it's incredible ❤

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Definitely going to do it the next time!

[@arturortuno80]

Nice truck champ I own a power wagon too I love it 💪😎🙏

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Nice! And thank you! I’m loving it!

[@rvboondocker2559]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@danfish4life249]

Love PINS. When I first started spending a couple months in the winter I boondocked on South Padre. Now I live here near Rockport. Still love to spend time on the beach. Going to Padre tomorrow beach has been closed due to extreme high tides from the hurricane.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Wow, high tides that came from across the entire gulf! That's crazy! Have a great time!

[@judyannkiwi]

I think you should have a nice dinner n break w coffee make more of it that 's the camping way!

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I usually make something nicer for dinner but the wind just made me want to make something more simple.

[@thedeafcattledog8608]

We had the same problem with a fire there, so much wind lol but you should have gone about another ten miles- Big Shell - there’s so many shells and so amazing. Edit: I see you made it down there after all! So lovely 😁

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I really wanted to make it all the way to the Mansfield Channel. I need to get out there again! Yes, very beautiful! The shells were everywhere!

[@TheDieselApartment]

Enjoyed your video! We have that rooftop tent and we were wondering how it would do in wind. Looks like it passed the test.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you! I’ve had it in the wind on two separate occasions and it did surprisingly well! (The other time is featured in my first Big Bend video from Jan 2022) It’ll sound like it’s going to come apart with the fabric and noise but it was still fully in tact. I had thought at the very least that one of the window supports would give or fabric would rip. But no, everything held up. I think maximum wind gust it’s seen was probably 35-40mph.

[@jody858]

I got out to mile marker 30 on 4th of July weekend, sooo much loose sand, a good 4x4 was a must that far out

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Wow! Glad you had a chance to get out there on the 4th weekend! Were there a lot of people that far out?

[@SAandBeyond]

How far can my GMC terrain SUV go

[@veronica0008]

Nice video👍

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks! 👍

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Be sure to enter to win a pretty cool prize once we hit 1000 subscribers! Thanks again for watching and checking us out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipKxemynrtufgdE

[@attorneyjimcarroll]

Hahhahaha. I laughed too much at the fire fiasco!

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

😂🔥🔥🔥

[@terrell48]

I lived in Corpus for 20 years in the 70’s and 80’s and moved with a job to the Victoria area, I fished Padre Island and made the trip to the land cut in my Toyota 4x4 pickup more than once pretty cool area

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

It’s such a cool area IMO! I find myself coming back time and time again. Wife loves the Port A area because it’s more developed but I really like the untamed areas. Either way the coast just calls sometimes.

[@terrell48]

Can you tell me about your trailer and tent rig please

[@stevenbrazell3035]

I’ve always wanted to do this but have been hesitant since I drive a diesel 3/4 ton. This proves it can be done in a full size truck. 👍🏻

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

It definitely can! Just keep an eye on how the sand is. If it hasn't rained in a while, it becomes very powdery and deep, increasing the need for airing down. Just be perpared (shovel is definitely nice to have, and/or tow strap) and be mindful of tire placement and you'll be just fine! And even if you get stuck, there's usually someone out there to help, but futher south you go, that help becomes fewer and far between.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Also keep in mind that the Power Wagon I was in, comes with lower transfer case (4:1), lockers front and rear, front sway bar disconnect, and a couple extra inches of ground clearance. I did not use any of that except the low range when crossing through Yarborough Pass, but it does give a little extra confidence. I'm not sure how your diesel is set up but just wanted to point that out.

[@CapsizedCloud]

I’ll be takin my new Crosstrek Wilderness to North Padre from SA for some camping next weekend, good timing on this video lol.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Awesome! You're gonna love it!

[@CapsizedCloud]

@@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy I try and go every year, it’s where I’m from after all. This would be the first time *camping* there and not just using an airbnb.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

@@CapsizedCloud Well, I hope you have an awesome experience camping! Let us know how it goes.

[@CapsizedCloud]

@@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy I shall, thanks, man.

[@fritty9927]

There are several bypasses to beach right off the highway, like Fish Pass. No need to stop at any gated entrances. Perfectly legal. Just head for Port Aransas and look right.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I think you are referring to Mustang Island. Which is when you turn left onto Highway 361 once you get on "The Island". If you go straight instead (south) on the road you come in on, you end up on Padre Island and if you enter the national seashore you will have to pay the fee as they have the beach blocked off at the boundary. I've been to the Mustang Island beaches (including Port A) dozens of times. They are every bit as beautiful and fun as Padre Island. But you just can't be as isolated and alone as you can on Padre Island as it is much less accessible and much further away from civilization.

[@fritty9927]

@@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy thanks. I never knew that.

[@no1nozy]

60 is easy in a 2-3 hour window...depending on your rig. Always carry an AR and radios for safety..ie... marine hand helds and mounted c.b's

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thank you for the recommendations! Safety and off-grid communications are some of my utmost concerns when exploring the back country on my own. As for Mile 60, I totally would have kept going but I needed to be home sooner rather than later that day. Which happened to be Mother's Day. Happy trails!

[@anewhope1827]

Over here in the Middle East thinkin about how at this time last year at was at mile marker 25 having a beer with my rods all cast. We have it real good yall. We really really do.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

That’s awesome! And yes we do!

[@rbljackson]

Did you end up air down any more? Curios...does the power wagon start beeping at ya when you lower down the pressures? Next time you need to bring some fishing gear! We used to go down there and fish a cpl times a year for redfish and sharks. Been as far as the 52. LONG drive though and better make sure ya have enough gas. If the sand is soft and deep, you can burn thru a tank faster than you think.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks for the advice! On this trip, I didn't feel the need to air down any further. She was grabbing plenty of traction for what I was driving through. And it doesn't constantly beep at you. Just shows the little warning light. I'd definitely like to do a little fishing sometime out there. I've seen Blue Lines 5.0's videos down at South Padre and looks right up my alley! I need to make that journey out to East Cut from both N and S Padre!

[@terrell48]

First time I have seen your videos, tell me about that trailer and tent please.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Welcome and thanks for stopping by the channel! The trailer is called an “M1102” which is a used military trailer that used to be towed behind Humvees. I have a Smittybilt generation 2 rooftop tent mounted on a couple metal crossbars that I got from a metal supplier. The trailer sits on a set of 37” Goodyear tires that are military spec and have run flat center in them. I bought this trailer from a guy on Facebook marketplace but they can be found at an auction website called “govplanet”. The trailer is really awesome and can take a lot of abuse. The bed is made of aluminum so don’t have to worry about rust.

[@Iamtheoverlander]

I’m looking to head down there and hang out on that beach for a couple weeks in December, but is it always consistently just that windy or is there any breaks at all?

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

There’s pretty much always a breeze. At least 90% of the time I’ve been. Sometimes it’s worse and sometimes not as bad. One time last year Near 4th of July 2021, it was dead calm for a few hours during the day. Even the water became calmer and it was one of the most beautiful times I’ve seen it there. December might be ok if you happen to catch it after a front moves through. I have only been to the coast twice during winter months and I believe the wind was calmer.

[@rosendoperez6677]

Are you going this month?

[@Iamtheoverlander]

@@rosendoperez6677 I changed directions and went out to Pismo beach instead.

[@kevinmoran-ji2zl]

25mm is like kissing your own sister. It means nothing. Go big or go home. 😎🌴☀️

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

😂

[@stx956]

What tent/trailer set up is that? Looks like a hummer from the back.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

It’s an old military trailer called “M1102”. These were made to be pulled behind hummers explains the look. I have added some metal crossbars so I can run the Smittybilt Gen 2 rooftop tent.

[@tomcat160]

Did you ever use the 4x4 on your truck going that far down?

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

The only place I used it, out of an abundance of caution, was that drive through Yarborough Pass. It looked Like it could be soft enough to get bogged down in but it was actually pretty well travelled. Also towing a trailer I didn’t want to take any chances. Other than that, no.

[@CaptTonyNEO]

Thanks Jasmine!

[@user-kz5wo1ud9h]

I believe I would rather sleep in my truck

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Definitely less wind noise!

[@chadpeterson872]

Do you remember what the wind speed was that day?

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

The forecast was for 15-25 mph winds that night. I swear it was higher around 3am. I'd say close to 35mph gusts. But I really had no way to tell for sure.

[@joelhughes8023]

Where did you get that round plastic table?

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I think I got it at Costco but I'm not 100% sure. This might be the one: www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/lifetime-round-folding-table%2C-60dia-x-29h%2C-almond-.product.11984843.html

[@zzsup]

I used go to there every fall for many years but mostly south padre which has better surfing and also great camping on the sound side Depending on the weather..been thinking of going back but I hear Space x has completely ruined the place traffic grid lock all the time At rocket launches and many locales are very unhappy with this …so much for south padre 😢

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Yeah I could only imagine what it's like on launch day! We visited Boca Chica a few years ago. I wanted to see where the Rio Grande spills into the Gulf of Mexico. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWWmaYBme7N6mJo

[@user-ts1mw1xh4i]

SPI Now is tearable to many people to much built up sad

[@guscabrera561]

WHAT TRAILER SETUP DO YOU HAVE, NICE

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Thanks! It’s an M1102 hummer trailer that you can get at military surplus auctions such as govplanet. I’ve added some custom metal crossbars and a Smittybilt roof top tent.

[@shadowshadow6326]

😊🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😃👍💯💯💯💯💓👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟😊

[@ericolsen9799]

Cops Christi has the highest average wind speed of any country in the USA

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

That wouldn't surprise me. The wind is always blowing there!

[@alm9951]

Shhhhh...

[@MR.9ine5ive6ix]

What’s that place called

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Padre Island National Seashore (PINS)

[@kingoftexas1475]

Why are you eating survival food. How bout pop tarts and chunky soup

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Haha! I had actually planned to make a nicer dinner but since it was so windy I just decided to make the backpacking meal.

[@shall6967]

I would never recommend camping alone or without "protection" of some sort way down there. Lots of things wash up and people are awaiting those things.. camp at your own risk.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

There are definitely risks.

[@blountscreek]

Where there’s risk there is reward! That probably happens more towards south padre island I would imagine

[@pontes1]

Americans...so over equiped. I think sleep in the tent with all this wind wasn't funny. Why just don't sleep in the truck?

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

You’re right, we are over equipped! Lol! Comes from years and years of trying to make everything better. And, despite the wind, I think the tent was still the more comfortable option than sleeping in the truck. The tent breathes better and also provides a flat and level surface with a decent mattress. I have thought about just sleeping in the truck though.

[@Maxumized]

Well Rodrigo, living in a free country is quite rewarding. We like to be ready for anything🇺🇸

[@AlaskaErik]

I'm going there in the next month and I'll be pulling a travel trailer with all the comforts of home.

[@bosshogindog]

Native here.. I grew up on the island..Wish you wouldve went down a little more.. BIG SHELL is where its at! Gas is ok for fire.. Just let it soak for a good 20min..Not to spook you but make sure you keep a pistol unlocked n loaded..Over the years theres been quite a bit of murders and assaults! Every now n then you'll get some weirdo that'll drive right up to ur vehicle in the pitch black dark of a moonless night n park 2 feet next to you! n 9 x out of 10 it aint for good reason!

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

I appreciate the advice! I definitely want to make it further down next time. Hopefully all the way to Mansfield pass! And I totally agree on having a side arm. Especially when out alone.

[@SAandBeyond]

What do I put in gps to get to seashore

[@ckiefner715]

Wife and I camped a couple days ago for 2 nights. Lots of deer and coyotes.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

Wow, how far down did you go? I was surprised I hadn't seen any deer or coyotes. Especially after some stories I hae heard.

[@ckiefner715]

Was far less busy than we thought it would be this time of year so this time we only went 8 miles down. We have been to the end 2 times. If you leave early like around 7-8am you can make it with daylight. Our first we drove back in the dark and high tide! So next time we started way earlier.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

@@ckiefner715 I’m definitely going to try to make it all the way next time! Was the driveable area greatly reduced during high tide? I bet that was pretty hair raising in the dark and trying to get out!

[@ckiefner715]

My wife was quite anxious. If you keep your hand near the 4x4 selector you will be fine. Watch out for debris and palm trees that have washed up.

[@TheNotSoOrdinaryCarGuy]

@@ckiefner715 I bet! Glad y'all made it out of there safe!