Devils River

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE Devils River is a designated Dark Sky Sanctuary THE CLEAR-FLOWING DEVILS RIVER IS OFTEN THE TARGET DESTINATION FOR MANY VISITORS TO THE STATE NATURAL AREA; HOWEVER, THE DESIGNATED DARK SKY SANCTUARY STATUS, WILDLIFE VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES, REMOTE AND SPACIOUS CAMPSITES AND HUMAN HISTORY OF THE SITE ONLY ADD TO ITS ALLURE. DEVILS RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA CONSISTS OF MULTIPLE PROPERTIES AND A FEW RIVER ACCESS POINTS, THE TWO PRIMARY UNITS BEING DEL Devils River State Natural Area hosts thousands of visitors each year who enjoy camping, recreating in the river, hiking, stargazing and exploring nature. The park is full of history and unique plants and wildlife. We ask you to tread lightly and help protect this special and sensitive environment. • Keep Wildlife Wild – Please don’t feed or harass wildlife. • Pack It In, Pack It Out – If it doesn’t grow here, it doesn’t belong on the ground. • Take Only Memories and Pictures – Leave all plants, wildlife, rocks and artifacts for future visitors to enjoy and so that park staff can study them. • Be Safe – In case of emergency, know where you are. Cell phone service is extremely limited or nonexistent. • Protect Your Pets – They must be on a leash no more than six feet in length and cleaned up after. • Be Kind to Other Visitors – Yield to visitors on foot and observe quiet hours. Devils River State Natural Area – Del Norte Unit 21715 Dolan Creek Rd. Del Rio, TX 78840 (830) 395-2133 www.tpwd.texas.gov/devilsriver/ An International Dark Sky Sanctuary Location NORTE AND DAN ALLEN HUGHES. © 2021 TPWD. PWD BR P4501-0151N (7/21) TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. DEVILS RIVER STATE NATURAL AREA D E V I L S R I V E R S T A T E N A T U R A L A R E A Rugged terrain surrounds Devils River. WE RELY ON THE RIVER HARMONIOUS HABITAT The river that borders the state natural area was once named San Pedro (Saint Peter) by Spanish explorers. When Texas Ranger Captain Jack Hays was traveling through the remote and rugged terrain in the 1840s, he happened upon the San Pedro which he said seemed more like the Devil’s river to him. Regardless of its name, the river has been a refuge for many. In the Del Norte Unit of the state natural area you’ll find Finegan Springs. Spanning several hundred yards of river front, the springs pump between 12,000 and 24,000 gallons per minute of water into the river. This life-sustaining water provides homes to schools of threatened Devils River minnows, the endangered Texas snowbells flower and ancient live oaks that provide shade and wildlife habitat. Known as the most pristine river in Texas, this place is truly special and in need of protection. Access to the river is limited due to private property, but Devils River State Natural Area offers several public access points. B MARK LOCKWOOD WATER IN AN ARID LAND The state natural area sits on an ecotonal line, merging the Chihuahuan Desert from the west, Edwards Plateau from the north and Tamaulipan Thornscrub from the south and east, into a harmonious habitat for a wide diversity of wildlife. Exploring the state natural area reveals the magic of this special place to those who take the time to look a little closer. Turkeys, javelina, bats, white-tailed deer and even Mexican black bears claim this land as their home. The river acts as a key route and safe stop for the north and southward migration of birds such as the beautiful tropical parula. Clouds of monarch butterflies rely on milkweed at Devils River State Natural Area to lay their eggs on in spring and summer during their difficult journey from Mexico Tropical parula to as far as Canada and back again. Blooming sotols are pollinated by hummingbirds, acorns from oak trees feed many animals and native grasses feed rabbits and provide hiding places for bobwhite and scaled quail. Devils River is truly a taste of wild Texas in an increasingly urbanizing state. ecause the population of Texas is growing, more people are seeking solitude in the surviving wild corners of the state. Today, the cool clear waters of the Devils River draw anglers, paddlers and folks looking to soak away the stress of life. Gazing at the glowing stars of this designated Dark Sky Sanctuary allows modern people to connect with our ancestors, who looked up at the same sky. Perhaps stargazing and living near the beautiful river inspired the rock paintings of Lower Pecos people who left their mark across the region thousands of years ago. Many Native Americans cherished this sacred place including the Jumano, Cibola, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Kickapoo. Ranching heritage is also visible within the state natural area and a nature trail at the Del Norte Unit lets visitors explore this history. Water consumption and other construction projects throughout the region threaten the river and those who rely on it. Help us protect this special place by practicing Leave No Trace®. People have visited Devils River for thousands of years.