Amistad National Recreation Area
Amistad National Recreation Area
The International Amistad Reservoir was formed on the Rio Grande along the border of the US and Mexico. Amistad National Recreation Area encompasses the United States portion of the reservoir, which is bursting with exceptional water-based activities such as boating and fishing. The reservoir is surrounded by a landscape saturated with prehistoric rock art, a vibrant border culture and diverse plant and animal life.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Bill SontagPhone Number: 830-775-7491
Entrance Fees: Individual: $4.00; Annual:$40.00
Sights: Railroad Tunnels and Stations; The Pecos Viaduct; International Amistad Reservoir; Prehistoric Rock Art; Devil's River; Pecos River; Tamaulipan Shrubland; Chihuahuan Desert; Edwards Plateau; Lake Cumberland
Endangered Species: Interior Least Tern; Texas Indigo Snake; Trans-Pecos Black-Headed Snake; Texas Horned Lizard
Important Dates
Established as Park: November 11, 1965By The Numbers
Acres: 57,292.00Annual Visitation: 1,599,271 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :29.572220 / -101.097500 (map it)
State: TX
Nearby Big City: Del Rio, TX
Gateway Communities: Del Rio, TX; Comstock, TX
Nearby Airports: Del Rio International Airport (DRT)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
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In Detail
Activities & Programs Paddling Amistad Reservoir has plenty of wide-open water along with steep-walled canyons, making a great place for paddling your canoe or kayak. The park boundary extends 74 miles up the Rio Grande ... read more.
Animals Birds Amistad National Recreation Area has documented over 200 different species of birds, both native and migratory. The Natural Resources Division has been participating in yearly banding projects ... read more.
At A Glance Fees & Reservations Amistad National Recreation Area does not charge an entrance fee. Fees are charged for the following: a Lake Use Permit for most boats, camping fees, and hunting perm ... read more.
Camping Camping at Amistad Amistad National Recreation Area's campgrounds are primitive. There are no hookups, though most sites will accomodate RVs. Numerous RV parks in the Del Rio area offer full services ... read more.
Geology Natural Features & Ecosystems Amistad National Recreation Area's natural features are primarily the result of two influences: geology and climate. The local flora and fauna has developed in response ... read more.
History Stories About Amistad The Devils River Power Plants The Central Power and Light Company constructed three hydro-electric power plants in the late 1920s and early 1930s along the Devils River. As well ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Laws & Policies Amistad National Recreation Area is governed by codes of federal regulations (CFR) and the park superintendent can "model" these regulations to fit the park's special needs. Not all ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Operating Hours & Seasons Amistad Visitor Information Center is open 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., year-round, except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. All Day Use Areas including ... read more.
Plants Trees and Shrubs The variety of tree and shrub species living here is astounding. Nearly a dozen species of acacia can be found in the area. However, the difference between a "tree" and "shrub" is di ... read more.
Preservation Your Dollars At Work Facility Management The Maintenance Division at Amistad NRA has the primary mission of maintaining assets within the recreation area. This mission is accomplished by preserving r ... read more.
Sights to See The Pecos Viaduct The Pecos High Bridge may be the most famous of all the historic bridges in Texas. In 1892, it held the distinction of being not only the highest bridge in the United States, but al ... read more.
Sunrise Trail Project Blazing a Trail in a National Park Two months of planning culminated on Saturday September 30th, 2006 with the construction of more than a mile of hiking trails adjacent to Amistad Reservoir. Had it ... read more.
Things To Do Things To Do Amistad National Recreation Area is best enjoyed out on the water, however there are some things you can do if you don't own a boat. See map in the right-hand column for locations. Visi ... read more.
Visitor Services Visitor Services VISITOR CENTER Amistad Visitor Information Center Open Open All Year 8 am to 5 pm Phone 830-775-7491 Location The Visitor Information Center is located 10 miles north of Del Rio o ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Hiking Amistad National Recreation Area offers hikers a variety of trails to explore, even though the recreation area was created primarily for water-based recreation. Two short nature trails, at the ... read more.
Amistad In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
