Amistad
National Recreation Area

A splash of blue stands out against limestone cliffs. The honking of a great blue heron, interspersed with the descending trill of a canyon wren, can be heard off in the distance. This landscape, which at times appears stark and desolate, comes alive with color after a rainstorm. Amistad is a land of contrasts...and of hidden treasures. The same water that draws people to boat and fish today, sustained over 300 generations of hunters and gatherers. They left behind a record of their existence through colorful rock art panels, bits of tools, and fibers preserved for thousands of years by the arid desert climate.

Situated on the United States-Mexico Border, Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year round, water-based recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. So whether you come to boat, to ponder ancient mysteries, or to listen to bird song and watch the desert bloom, Amistad has something for you.

The bottom of this page contains practical facts about Amistad National Recreation Area.

PRACTICAL FACTS ABOUT AMISTAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

LOCATION:

Del Rio, TX

ADDRESS:

Amistad National Recreation Area
HCR 3, Box 5-J
Del Rio, TX 78840-9350
email: Amis_Interpretation@nps.gov   for brochures, park info and comments.
email: Amis_Superintendent@nps.gov   for official correspondence.

TELEPHONE:

(830) 775-749l

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Park headquarters: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekends and holidays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Dec 25 and Jan 1.

CLIMATE:

Sunny, humid and hot summers. Mild winters.

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DIRECTIONS:

Headquarters is located on Highway 90, just west of Del Rio, and approximately six miles from the nearest lake access areas. Make Park Headquarters your first stop on a visit to Amistad National Recreation Area.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Amistad NRA lies in southwest Texas, west of San Antonio between Del Rio and Langtry, downstream from Big Bend National Park. It is reached via Highway 90 from the east and west and U.S. Routes 277/377 from the north and south. Del Rio is serviced by a small airport that will accommodate small private planes. Bus and Amtrak stations.
In Park:  Personal vehicle, bicycle, boat and motorcycle

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission fees. Motorized boat use passes are $4/day or $40/year. Camping fees are $4/night. Donations accepted with boxes available at headquarters and locations throughout the park.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center, Exhibits:

 

Amistad Dam Visitor Center: owned by International Boundary and Water Commission. Photographic exhibits relate story of dam's construction. Open daily, year round, from l0:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the center is usually unstaffed.

NOTE: The Amistad Dam Visitor Center is temporarily closed for remodeling.

Information/Contact Stations: Park Headquarters, Diablo East and Rough Canyon District ranger offices. Rough Canyon information station is open most days. Interpretive panels provide orientation and information on water safety, natural and cultural history. Pecos and Diablo East information stations are open intermittently. Free information pamphlets are available at all 3 stations.

Big Bend Natural History Association offers a wide variety of educational and informational books, childrens' books, field guides, maps and postcards in Amistad NRA's Headquarters building on Hwy. 90. Items may be purchased in person or by mail

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Wayside Exhibits:

Kiosks with interpretive information panels on recreation, water safety and natural history are located throughout the park.

Free interpretive / educational programs are offered from November through March. Stop by or call park headquarters for a schedule of programs.

 

Major archeological sites:

Significant archeological resources dating from prehistoric times to the recent past, are found along the Pecos, Rio Grande and Devils Rivers. Panther Cave, located on the Rio Grande, is accessible by boat depending on lake level. Due to low lake levels, Parida Cave is no longer accessible by boat. All sites in the park are protected by state and federal laws

 

Trails, Roads:

          Click here to see a map of Amistad National Recreation Area.

To see a downloadable (PDF) digital map of Amistad NRA, click here.

         

Self guided trails and tours: Pecos Nature Trail (with pamphlet).

A "new" Nature Trail is under construction in the Diablo East area.The trail is currently unmarked and unsigned, but is still walkable and provides beautiful views of the lake, as well  as unlimited lush, native vegetation.  The trailhead is located in the corner of the parking lot, right side of the ranger station.

Pets: are allowed on trails and most areas of the park as long as they are on a leash.
Limestone is very rough on your pet's feet, use caution near the lake and unpaved areas.
Fleas and ticks are abundant in the grassy, brushy areas of Lake Amistad.
Please be courteous and clean up after your pet.

Lodging and camping facilities:

Four primitive campgrounds (no water or electricity) are available within the park. Camping fees are $4/night or $2/night with valid Golden Age or Golden Access pass. Commercial facilities are located in the near vicinity of the Diablo East, Rough Canyon and Pecos River and in Del Rio.

Food/supplies:

Food, lodgings, travel trailer parks and service stations are in Del Rio and on U.S. 90. Population of Del Rio is 35,000.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Concessionaires at Diablo East and Rough Canyon provide boat and slip rentals, sell fuel, bait, ice snacks and beverages. A bookstore located at park headquarters is managed by the National Park Service for the Big Bend Natural History Association. A list of licensed fish guides and boat tour guides is available at Park Headquarters.

Accessibility:

Parking areas at each site are available.

Special Needs:

Some areas have designated handicapped parking.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Boating, camping and fishing are the main activities at Amistad NRA. Other activities enjoyed by our visitors are; swimming, hunting, water-skiing, SCUBA, bird-watching, observing plants and wildlife, and picnicking at designated areas.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations required for the group campsites and group picnic areas.   Permits are required for hunting.

A "special use permit" is required for fishing tournaments , commercial filming operations, or any large gathering  for events (ie. weddings) within Amistad National Recreation Area.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Any amount of free time. Most visitors fish, picnic, boat, and view the scenery.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Seminole Canyon State Historical Park is located in Val Verde County, 45 miles west of Del Rio, Texas. We highly recommend their ranger led walks (fee) to an excellent rock art/pictograph site. Call them directly at (9l5) 292-4464 for more information. Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center, Langtry, Texas, located 60 miles west of Del Rio, Texas.

Devils River State Natural Area is also in Val Verde county. From Del Rio, travel 43 mi. N. on Hwy. 277 and turn left on Dolan Creek Rd. (dirt) then drive 22 mi. to the park headquarters. If you enjoy canoeing, kayaking, Mt. biking and primitive camping this is the place to go!  Camping fees; entrance fees. For reservations call 512/389-8900. For more details, call the park at 830-395-2133 or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.


Kickapoo Caverns State Park, formerly the Seargeant Ranch, is located approximately 22 miles north of Brackettville which is about 25 miles east of Del Rio. The park is currently in an undeveloped state. Potential visitors must call the park prior to their visit to make arrangements. Park activities include cave tours, bat flights (mid March-Oct.), birdwatching and hiking. For more info call 830/563-2342.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Please Write:

Superintendent
Amistad National Recreation Area,
HCR 3, Box 5-J,
Del Rio, TX 78840-9350
Phone: (830) 775-749l

For brochures, park information or comments:
email:  Amis_Interpretation@nps.gov

For official correspondence:     
email:  Amis_Superintendent@nps.gov
          

Last Updated: August 15, 1999
Website maintained by:
Annmarie Mikelski
Webmaster - Amistad NRA

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