![]() | Devils RiverBrochure |
Interpretive Guide of Devils River State Natural Area (SNA) in Texas. Published by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
featured in
![]() | Texas Pocket Maps | ![]() |
covered parks
source
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.