For those who have been to these areas, could you let me know how you like the parks (for camping) and whether it's "safe enough" (as in, will I really run into smugglers, etc.?) I've just been googling for places to go in Texas just in case we decide to relocate

I really like the pictures of Guadalupe Moutains and Padre Island national seashore ... check out this description of one of the campsites at Padre:

Yarborough Pass

Primitive - there are no facilities. ... Access to this campground is possible only through the four-wheel drive area of South Beach. To find the campground drive to the 15 mile marker then backtrack approximately 100 yards and look for a notch in the fore-island dune ridge. Driving through the notch places one on a caliche road, parts of which are sometimes flooded by marshes. Follow the road approx. 1-2 miles to the campground. Be aware that the notch through the dunes is sometimes filled with exceptionally deep and soft sand in which even four-wheel-drive vehicles become stuck occasionally. The flooded areas may be deep. Use caution when crossing to avoid flooding engine or exhaust.

Sounds like a place to go for some solitude.

Thanks folks!

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DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking