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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National Park Service
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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
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
