Novillo Line Camp

Help protect the historic resources of Novillo Line Camp by leaving what you find.

NPS Photo/ Chloe Grimes

Quick Facts

Location:

Decimal Degrees: 27.46299, -97.28706

Significance:

The last remaining historic structures of the island's former cattle ranch.

Designation:

National Seashore, National Register of Historic Places

Amenities

1 listed

Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board

Novillo Line Camp is a historic cattle ranching line camp located a few miles within the entrance of the national seashore. The line camp was used by cowboys as a place of shelter and a site to corral cattle. Novillo Line Camp was the northernmost line camp used by the Dunn Cattle Ranch company in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with other camps, Black Hill Line Camp and Green Hill Line Camp, being located further south.  

Today, Novillo Line Camp is one of the last historic structures still standing within the national seashore, reflecting an early human use and occupation of Padre Island. These preserved structures such as the bunk house, cattle fences, and even the table and eating area, provide us a unique window of how life on the island would have looked for many of the ranch workers and inhabitants. 

As with many areas of Texas, Padre Island's history has been intertwined with the cattle ranching industry. From 1879 through 1970 the successful Dunn Cattle Ranch would eventually span two-thirds of the island. Individuals such as Patrick Dunn saw the benefit of the island as a ranch and would develop the land to take part in the lucrative business. His efforts and the growth of his ranch would lead to many changes on land and left a lasting impact on the history of Padre Island. 

To access Novillo Line Camp, you must park in the small pullout along Park Road 22 across from Bird Island Basin Road and walk along the dirt road. Do not block the gate. 

The National Park Service regularly completes projects to upkeep and preserve these historic structures. If you visit Novillo Line Camp, whether from a distance or up close, please help us preserve it by staying out of the buildings and not removing anything from the site.