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 Governors Landing, and all other picnic areas and viewpoints located throughout the park close at dark.

Because of mild weather, winter is Amistad NRA's busiest camping season. Summer temperatures can be high, ideal for heat-lovers.

Quiet Hours at National Park Service campgrounds are between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Directions

GETTING THERE

Car
Amistad National Recreation Area is located on the US and Mexico border near Del Rio, Texas and is between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park. The park is 150 miles west of San Antonio on US Highway 90, and about 250 miles east of Big Bend via US Highways 90 and 385. Access to Amistad from the north or south is on US Highways 277 and 377.

Plane
Continental Airlines provides service between Del Rio (DRT) and Houston.

Public Transportation
Bus and AMTRAK (rail) stations are located in Del Rio on 1 North Main Street. For AMTRAK information dial 1-800-USA-RAIL. For bus service call Del Rio Multi-Modal Transportation Center at (830)775-7515.

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 permit fees. See below for more details.

Lake Use Permit

Fees
$4.00 per day per 24 hour period, or

$40.00 annually, for one year from month of purchase

Details
All boats using the United States portion of Amistad Reservoir that are required to have State registration must have an Amistad NRA Lake Use Permit. These permits are required regardless of where the boat is launched. Daily or annual permits are available.

For current Mexico boat permit and fishing license information, go to www.conapescasandiego.org or call 619.233.4324.

Daily permits cost $4.00 per 24 hour period beginning at the time of purchase. These may be purchased for multiple days. A special 3-day (72-hour) permit costs $10.00.

Annual permits cost $40.00 and are good for 12 months from the month purchased.  Proof of boat ownership is required to purchase annual permits.

Senior Pass & Golden Access holders are entitled to a 50% discount.  Boats must be registered in the pass holder’s name.  Annual Passes are for entrance fees only and do not qualify for discounts on user fees. 

Annual or Daily Lake Use Permits may be purchased at the Amistad Visitor Information Center on Hwy 90W or at any of the automated vending machines located at Diablo East, Rough Canyon, Box Canyon, and the Pecos River. When annual permits are purchased at the automated machines, the permit receipt must be exchanged for a sticker within 14 days of purchase or the receipt is invalid. Exchanges may be made at the Visitor InformationCenter or at the marinas at Rough Canyon and Diablo East. Proof of boat ownership is required for exchange, and if a discount is claimed, the Senior Pass or Golden Access card.

See Boating for more information.

Camping

Fees
$4.00 - $8.00 per night

Details
Governors Landing Campground is $8.00 per night per site.  

San Pedro, 277 N, and Spur 406 Campgrounds are $4.00 per night per site.

Campsites are first-come, first-served, no reservations.

Senior Pass & Golden Access holders are entitled to a 50% discount.  Annual Passes are for entrance fees only and do not qualify for discounts on user fees. Click here for more information on federal passes.

Group campsites at San Pedro, 277 North and Rock Quarry are available by reservation only for $2.00 per person per night; minimum 15 persons.  Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance at the Visitor Information Center, or by calling 830-775-7491 with a valid credit card.

See Camping for more information.

Amistad Hunting Permits are $20 for the Amistad NRA hunting season (September 1, through the last day of quail in February).

See Hunting for more information.