Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentsen-Rio_Grande_Valley_State_Park Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is located south of the city of Mission in Hidalgo County, Texas. It serves as the headquarters for the World Birding Center. The park has become a prime area for bird watching and butterfly watching. More than 325 species of birds, and more than 250 species of butterflies have been noted in the Bentsen park.

Bentsen Palm Drive Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Trails Map 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive Mission, TX 78572-4848 (956) 584-9156 . www.texasstateparks.org 281 Park Entrance . 1 Canal 129' 0.15 0.08 2 PARK ROAD i Par La 0.22 43 da . n Bla Javelina 114' 0.0 9 . 0.2 co 3 0.1 0.1 8 0.0 0.05 6 0.1 4 0.25 y Wa Lo ia ac Ac 8 ue Kiskadee Trail 0.3 mi. op 0.07 le ixt Pa ircle C 0.1 17 0. 0. 17 2 0. 23 0. 0.13 0.2 raq . 118' 9 0.1 u Pa H ad Ro Resaca Vieja Trail 1.3 mi. 2 0.1 k ac 06 0. 0.06 . 0.21 110' er unn dr Roa 0.43 0.41 ng ssi Cro 7 0.6 0.2 MILE 5 0.1 2 Bl an e Lane Mesquit 0.0 2 POINTS OF INTEREST 114' 0.06 . co SCALE ry r be 5 0.0 0 0' 10 0.22 0.1 Headquarters Park Store Parking Tram Stop Nature Center Restrooms Showers Wheelchair Accessible Group Picnic Pavilion Primitive Campsites Observation Blind Fishing Hiking Trail Biking Trail 5 0.0 0.0 4 Green Jay Trail 0.3 mi. 0.24 LEGEND 3 0.08 2 NATURE CENTER 26.1837º -98.3806º Come on in to learn more about your park, and the plants and animals that live here. EBONY GROVE 26.1792º -98.3840º Experience the beauty of the ebony trees that made this park so special to the Bentsens. 4 KINGFISHER OVERLOOK 26.1787º -98.3869º Catch a breeze off the resaca, cast a line in the water, or look for the birds and dragonflies that use the water here. NOTES: Rio Grande Trail 1.7 mi. 1.5 3 G Rio 3 Mo HEADQUARTERS GARDENS 26.1855º -98.3797º Take an up-close look at the plants of the Rio Grande Valley and the birds and other animals that rely on them. El 1 ril lo (GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees) Biking is allowed on paved trails and roads only. Contour intervals are 5 feet. Trail lengths are in miles. Elevation levels are in feet. d ran ive eR No claims are made as to the accuracy of the data or its suitability to a particular use. Map compiled by Texas State Parks staff. r 5 HAWK TOWER 26.1690º -98.3805º Get a 360-degree view of the park from above. Look for soaring raptors or flycatchers perched in the treetops. © 2025 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD MP P4502-0058T (7/25) This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas.gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD through Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for 113' Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. . Pr iva te Ro ad . 116' 11 For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Experience the wild side of the Rio Grande Valley with its beautiful and rugged native plants and animals. Immerse yourself in the forests of the Rio Grande floodplain. Walk, bike or ride the shuttle to discover all the life this place has to show you. Some of the plants and animals you see here live nowhere else in the United States. Learn more about them at the Nature Center on your way in or by attending a program or tour. TRAIL DISTANCE TIME DIFFICULTY DESCRIPTION OLD PARK ROADS 3.8 mi. 2 hrs. Easy (all roads combined) Park Rd 43, Kingfisher Corridor, Acacia Loop, Roadrunner Crossing, Mesquite Lane, and Pauraque Way are former roads through the park that no longer have traffic. They’re a safe, accessible way to see the park. Ask about our tram schedule for a way to explore in comfort. RESACA VIEJA TRAIL 45 min. to 1 hr. Easy to Moderate Take this trail to walk one of the more diverse plant communities in the park. More plant diversity means more animal diversity, so keep your eyes peeled! GREEN JAY TRAIL 0.3 mi. 20 min. Easy Walk along the resaca to see what’s using its banks as refuge. This also provides good looks at some of the animals that prefer more open areas, like wild turkeys. KISKADEE TRAIL 0.3 mi. 20 min. Easy Hike this trail and around Acacia Loop to see what you can find in the old campground. Be sure to check the bird blind and some water features in the area. RIO GRANDE TRAIL 1.7 mi. 1 hr. Easy to Moderate The longest trail in the park provides a truly off-grid experience. Stop at the Hawk Tower to get a great view but then walk th

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park – World Birding Center TexasStateParks.org/App TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia Canal Park Headquarters N Texas State Parks Store Exhibit Hall Administrative Private Property Events Green Jay Blind Park Boundary i. m .8 tates d Roa WBC Parking Lot . mi Paixtle Circle & Rest Area PARK ROAD . mi Resaca Vieja Trail (1.4 mi. round-trip) 43 Wheelchair Accessible .3 mi. Hiking Trail Biking Trail Observation Blind La Familia Nature Center Ban co Group Picnic Pavilion Primitive Camping .3 Ebony Grove .4 orillo to Bus Parking Lot Picnic Tables ing Priv ate to Hwy 83 .8 mi. iver ed S ico de R Unit i. Mex Fishing Kingfisher Overlook m Gran Showers lm Drive .4 s ros El M Restrooms Bentsen Pa Hawk Tower (.2 mi. round-trip) Volunteer opportunities available: Call (956) 584-9156 for more information. TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas.gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD through Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ Hawk Tower .2 mi. Check in here if store is closed. Old Resaca Observation Deck Park Boundary © 2025 TPWD PWD MP P4502-058M (2/25) Tram Stop Bus Loop ad Rio Exhibits Ro rC Nopal Road Parking Texas State Parks Store i. ry nne Rio Grande Trail (1.8 mi. round-trip) Geological Survey Marker Restrooms m Me dru 43 Kiskadee Blind Cafe Park Headquarters and Surrounding Grounds Nature Center ia Loop ac Ac PARK ROAD Ro co an aB rid Pa La il ra ) y T ay Ja w n ne ee . o Gr mi (.3 er ad ite u sq Conference Room .3 b ck Ha .4 mi. Kiskadee Trail (.4 mi. one way) Roa er ty Prop ate Priv ry d n a Bou Park #BetterOutside LEGEND N Events Court #TexasStateParks After Hours Pay Station Texas State Parks Store T-shirts, caps, and one-of-a-kind gift items featuring local wildlife are available at the park store located at park heaquarters. PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive Mission, TX 78572-4848 (956) 584-9156 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE BENTSENTHANK YOU FOR VISITING! WELCOME TO BENTSENRIO GRANDE VALLEY S T A T E Bentsen is a haven for wildlife and plants so take only memories and photographs. It is prohibited to collect plants, animals, and artifacts or to play bird calls within the park. Irresponsible behavior can have a negative impact. Make sure you leave what you find so the next visitor gets to experience the park in its full beauty. If you want to learn how to transform your backyard into a haven for wildlife, ask a park ranger for pointers! PARK! ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES YOU CAN IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WILD FOREST OF THE RIVER DELTA ON A WALK, CYCLE, OR SHUTTLE RIDE. DON’T MISS OUT ON DISCOVERING WHAT’S NEW AND CHECK-IN Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive (FM 2062) Mission, TX 78572 (956) 584-9156 www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley Other parks in the area: Estero Llano Grande State Park – Mercedes, TX Resaca de la Palma State Park – Brownsville, TX Falcon State Park – Falcon Heights, TX AT THE HEADQUARTERS WITH THE RANGERS THAT CALL THIS PLACE HOME. © 2022 TPWD. PWD BR P4502-0058S (7/22) 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. This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/park-pubs RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK B E N T S E N - R I O G R A N D E V A L L E Y S T A T E P A R K THE LOCALS Ebony Grove SHAPED BY THE RIVER Life in the delta was shaped over thousands of years by the Rio Grande as it weaved in and out of the land creating dense forests of ash, elm, and ebony. These same forests inspired the Bentsen family to preserve the rich wildlife diversity that would become the legacy of the park. Ebony Grove is a living testament to that decision and offers a beautiful escape through picnics, camping, and wildlife viewing. Only tiny bits of habitat like this area remain since the introduction of agriculture and the taming of the river, making this a true wildlife haven. A FUNNEL FOR MIGRATION Hundreds of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife species are seen here annually. “Valley specialties” like the Altamira Oriole, Gray Hawk, and Mexican Bluewing butterfly attract people from across the United States and even across the globe. This delta provides not only for local wildlife, but also occasional rare species from Mexico, and even new species that have yet to be studied. Wildlife observation is for everyone at Bentsen. There are wheelchair accessible shuttles, bathrooms, and photo blinds. Don’t forget to bring cameras and binoculars! You never know what’s just around the bend. Chachalaca Gray Hawk Yellow Warbler T his area is a funnel for migrating birds with the Gulf of Mexico to the east and mountains to the west. The Bentsen hawk tower is a great place to see raptors like Broad-winged Hawks and Turkey Vultures soaring overhead. Smaller songbirds such as Scarlet Tanagers, Painted Buntings and Yellow Warblers are just a few of the dozens of species moving through the area every spring and fall along two major bird migration paths. Scarlet Tanager 

texas parks and wildlife © ROBERT W. PARVIN PHOTO © MARK B. BARTOSIK Interpretive Guide to: STATE PARKS OF THE VISIT ALL NINE SITES The World Birding Center (WBC) is a partnership between local municipalities, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Three of the WBC sites—Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley, Estero Llano Grande and Resaca de la Palma state parks—are managed by TPWD. The six other WBC sites are operated by local communities in Edinburg, Harlingen, Hidalgo, McAllen, Roma, and South Padre Island. For an unforgettable nature adventure, visit all nine sites. • South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, South Padre Island • Resaca de la Palma State Park, Brownsville WORLD BIRDING CENTER Green Kingfisher THE RHYTHMS, SOUNDS AND SONGS OF NATURE ONCE AGAIN FILL PARTS OF THE LOWER RIO • Harlingen Arroyo Colorado, Harlingen • Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco GRANDE VALLEY LANDSCAPE. IN • Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Hidalgo • Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, Edinburg CENTER HABITATS, THE NATURAL THE RESTORED WORLD BIRDING • Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen • Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission ORCHESTRA IS IN FULL CHORUS. • Roma Bluffs, Roma AND CALLS, AND THE DEEP BASS THE BUZZ OF INSECTS, BIRD SONGS OF FROGS AT DUSK EVOKE THE www.worldbirdingcenter.org IMAGE OF A FULL S Y M P H O N Y . THESE SOUNDS REASSURE US THAT RESTORING HABITATS Proud Sponsor of Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs 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 (TDD) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. © MARK B. BARTOSIK © 2016 TPWD. PWD BR P4502-058Q (7/16) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. RENEWS LIFE. OO OO O A VANISHING HABITAT Year-round, over 300 different species of birds travel through or make their homes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It is alarming that less than 5 percent of the natural habitat, which offers shelter, food, water and open spaces for birds and other wildlife, remains. Imagine having a house but only being able to use small parts of each room, and with each passing day having less to eat and drink, no way to replenish supplies, and fewer places to roam freely. Ranching, agriculture and urban growth, coupled with natural causes such as drought, have fragmented the landscape and chipped away at the framework of the natural “house” and the “neighborhood” surrounding it. D E L A P A L M A , E S T E R O L L A N O PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESTORATION R egional partners including three state parks are collaborating to remedy the deterioration of habitats and to restore the health of the land in the Common Buckeye Lower Rio Grande Valley. Revegetation using native plants and careful water management has revitalized hundreds of acres. And park staff have developed irrigation systems and innovative water collection methods that mimic natural flooding patterns. The partners of the World Birding Center are working together to restore this landscape that was cut apart and to make it whole again. RESACA DE LA PALMA STATE PARK G R A N D E A N D B E N T S E N - R I O G R A N D E V A L L E Y P A R K S Texas ebony and anacua trees, considered one of the most threatened plant communities in the United States, border the resaca. Humans can easily become disoriented in the dense vegetation, but it is a haven for wildlife including the ocelot and jaguarundi, both found only in extreme southern Texas within the United States. Efforts to sustain this biologically significant site centered on the restoration of the resaca, the lifesource for much of the habitat. Work crews cleared the brush that choked the waterway. They channeled water to it and park staff now manage water levels to mimic natural flooding. Since restoring the resaca to a wetland, the raucous croak of the black-crowned night heron, the laugh-like chatting of blue-winged teals and the chirping of Rio Grande chirping frogs emanate again from the rich habitat. This same habitat supports two rare amphibians, the blackspotted newt and Rio Grande lesser siren. Purple Gallinule The construction of ponds to provide habitat to a variety of birds and other wildlife became the focus of restoration efforts. Recent re-introduction of native plant species will revitalize the remnants of historic natural habitat. Today, the 200-acre park, with its shallow and deep wetlands, savannahs and woodlands, pr

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIRDS OF BENTSEN-RIO GRANDE VALLEY S T A T E P A R K WORLD BIRDING CENTER A FIELD CHECKLIST 2014 Cover: Illustration of Mississippi Kite by Rob Fleming. INTRODUCTION B entsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park consists of 797 acres of subtropical resaca woodlands and drier thorny brushlands that once characterized the entirety of the Lower Rio Grande Valley but which is now limited to scattered fragments. The park supports about 358 species of birds, many of which are subtropical species typical of eastern Mexico and not found north of the border beyond extreme southern Texas. Some of the characteristic species of the region include Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Gray Hawk, Hook-billed Kite, Plain Chachalaca, White-tipped Dove, Groove-billed Ani, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Couch’s Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Olive Sparrow and Altamira Oriole. Additionally Bentsen has become well known for consistently producing extremely rare visitors from Mexico, often the first records for these species north of the border. The natural habitats of the park have been created by the evolution of the Rio Grande over time as it has carved out and then abandoned channels and nourished the lands along it with life-giving floods. Presently the river has been controlled by numerous dams throughout its watershed, and vegetation communities in the park have been gradually drying out and becoming more arid. The transition of Bentsen from traditional state park to headquarters of the World Birding Center has resulted in tripling the size of the protected area with the incorporation of donated land and a cooperative relationship between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This checklist, compiled by John Arvin, is based on observations by numerous individuals, and includes those species which have been observed within or passing over the park. Nomenclature and organization for this checklist follow the A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th edition, 1998 as currently supplemented. Because we will be updating this checklist as additional observations are made, we ask that you report details of new or unusual sightings. Reports may be sent to Bentsen-RGV State Park, World Birding Center, 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission, Texas 78572 or may be left at the park headquarters. 1 Please help us protect the natural avian communities in our parks by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Frequent use of these tapes disrupts normal avian activity patterns and essential territorial behavior, and may lead to nest failure. Thank you for your cooperation. LEGEND C – common; seen daily in some numbers U – uncommon; usually seen daily in proper habitat and season but only one or a few individuals R – rare; seen only once or twice a year and may not occur every year X – extremely rare; only one or two records exist * – has nested in the park • – a species found north of the Mexican border entirely in extreme southern Texas or one which can be found there more reliably than in other areas Sp Su F W – – – – Spring (March-May) Summer (June-August) Fall (September-November) Winter (December-February) 2 CHECKLIST   W Sp Su F DUCKS & GEESE ___*•Black-bellied Whistling-Duck R U U R ___ Fulvous Whistling-Duck X R R R ___ Greater White-fronted Goose U U ___ Snow Goose U U ___ Ross’s Goose R ___ Muscovy Duck (feral) U U U U ___ Wood Duck R R ___ Gadwall C C ___ American Wigeon C C ___ Mallard R R ___* “Mexican Duck” U U U U ___* Mottled Duck U U U U ___* Blue-winged Teal C C R C ___ Cinnamon Teal R R R ___ Northern Shoveler C C C ___ Northern Pintail U U ___ Green-winged Teal C U C ___ Canvasback R R ___ Redhead R R ___ Ring-necked Duck C U C ___ Greater Scaup R ___ Lesser Scaup U U U ___ Bufflehead R R ___ Hooded Merganser R R ___ Masked Duck X X X X ___* Ruddy Duck U U R U CHACHALACAS & GUANS ___*•Plain Chachalaca C 3 C C C    W Sp Su F NEW WORLD QUAIL ___* Northern Bobwhite U U U U PARTRIDGES & TURKEYS ___ Wild Turkey X X X X GREBES ___*•Least Grebe U U U U ___ Pied-billed Grebe C U U C ___ Eared Grebe R X X STORKS ___ Jabiru X ___ Wood Stork U U FRIGATEBIRDS ___ Magnificent Frigatebird X CORMORANTS ___*•Neotropic Cormorant U ___ Double-crested Cormorant C U U C U U ANHINGAS ___* Anhinga U C C C PELICANS ___ American White Pelican U U ___ Brown Pelican X U HERONS ___ American Bittern R R R ___* Least Bittern R R ___ Bare-throated Tiger-Heron X ___ Great Blue Heron C C U C ___ Great Egret C C C C ___ Snowy Egret U U U U ___ Little Blue Heron R U U U ___ Tricolored Heron U U U U 4    W Sp Su F ___ Reddish Egret X ___ Cattle Egret C C ___* Green Heron R C ___* Black-crowned Night-Heron U U ___ Yellow-crowned Night-Heron R U X C C R U

Refuge on the Rio Grande: A Regional History of Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park by John J. Leffler Refuge on the Rio Grande: A Regional History of Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park by John J. Leffler for State Parks Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department August 2013 © 2013 TPWD. PWD BK P4502-0058N (8/13) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. TPWD receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies and is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and state anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any TPWD program, activity or facility, or need more information, please contact Civil Rights Coordinator for Public Access, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203. A Regional History of Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Acknowledgements Researching history is always collaborative work, and I am very grateful to the many people who contributed to this study in many ways. First, I want to thank people at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department headquarters in Austin. I did the initial research and writing for this project in 1998 at the request of Dr. Karen Harry, former director of TPWD’s Cultural Resources Program. She introduced me to the topic, provided me with many valuable contacts, and helped me in many ways to produce the initial study. I also want to thank Dr. Cynthia Brandimarte, director of TPWD’s Historic Sites and Structures Program, who asked me on behalf of the park to revisit the project for publication. As always, she has been a capable and sympathetic administrator and editor. TPWD personnel at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park were very helpful when I did my initial research in 1998. Rey Ortiz, the park’s former superintendent and park ranger Nelda Flores explained the park to me, gave me access to its historical files, introduced me to key informants, and generally helped to make my park visits very enjoyable. Former ranger Tony Salinas toured the park with me and hospitably shared his knowledge and memories. Assistant Superintendent Javier de León has recently spent many hours of his time assisting me with historical photos of the park and providing me with new photos of the Jardín de Flores ranchhouse. He suggested new sources and explained recent developments in the park. Javier also took time to review the manuscript and helped to improve it. Other TPWD staff members provided valuable support in direct and indirect ways: Archeology Lab Supervisor Aina Dodge, Regional Cultural Resources Coordinator Kent Hicks, Regional Interpretive Specialist Ben Horstmann, Regional Director Russell Fishbeck, and Research Specialist Jennifer Carpenter. Many residents of Hidalgo County have helped me to understand the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the park. I particularly want to thank Osvaldo Ochoa, who was born at the Jardín de Flores ranch and lived at Las Nuevas as a child in the 1930s. Mr. Ochoa graciously spent hours of his time describing Las Nuevas and giving me a personal tour of the Jardín de Flores site. David Mycue, former curator of the Hidalgo County Historical Museum (now the Museum of South Texas History, or MOSTH) in Edinburg, initially suggested promising avenues of research and helped me track down sources and photographs. Arturo Gonzalez also helped to shape my understanding of area history. Mission resident Jeanne Gonzalez generously shared with me her extensive collection of photographs and articles relating to the history of the park since the 1940s. iii Refuge on the Rio Grande Cartographer John Cotter’s work has graced many books over the years and three are included here. He also created the map of the Nueces Strip which was first published in William Goetzmann’s book Sam Chamberlain’s Mexican War; it appears here courtesy of the Texas State Historical Association. Thanks also to Jim Kattner of Spring, Texas, who found the Jardín de Flores token and shared photographs of the site. My gratitude to the archivists and staff at the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas State Library and Archives, the Texas General Land Office, and MOSTH in Edinburg. Special thanks to Phyllis Kinnison, archivist at MOSTH, who patiently and diligently spent hours helping me to identify and reproduce photos for this study, and to her assistant René Ballesteros, who helped me to meet my deadline. Finally I’d like to thank my wife, Vivian Goldman-Leffler, who was often inconvenienced by

sp_rack_bentsen-rgv.eps T E X A S 9/8/09 9:06:20 AM S T A T E P A R K S BentsenRio Grande Valley S TAT E PA R K C M Y CM MY CY CMY K SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS sp_rack_bentsen-rgv back.eps 2/9/10 2:16:41 PM Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley ST A T E PA RK Serving as the headquarters of the World Birding Center network, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is known worldwide as a hot spot for birding. With more than 760 acres of rare riparian woodland and native gardens, visitors can glimpse hundreds of bird species as well as other South Texas wildlife, such as bobcats and javelinas. The park also features a tram that transports visitors throughout the park and a visitor’s center that includes an interpretive exhibit hall, gift shop, coffee bar and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. Birdwatching: See more than 325 species of birds, including Rio Grande Valley specialty birds such as the Plain Chachalaca and Green Jay in the park’s birding blinds. Butterfly Watching: Over 250 species have been recorded in and around the park’s many native butterfly gardens. Hawk Tower: Visitors can witness amazing hawk migrations from the two-story observation tower. C Camping: Tent camping only. M Trails: Two hiking and nature trails wind through the park’s woodlands. Y CM Y Café: During your visit, take a break at the café to enjoy lunch, bird-friendly coffee, or a snack. MY CY Texas State Parks Store: Unique gifts, shirts, books, etc. CMY K 83 492 Texas Bus. 83 Mission 2062 Mexico Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Located in Hidalgo County. Take U.S. 83 to Mission, continue west, take Bentsen Palm Exit, turn South on Bentsen Palm Drive for 3 miles. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks Rates and reservations, call (512) 389-8900. For information only, call (800) 792-1112. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park 2800 South Bensten Palm Dr., Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 584-9156 www.worldbirdingcenter.org In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. © 2010 by TPWD PWD CD P4502-058K (2/10) Printed on recycled paper. 

-Official- FACILITIES Get the Mobile App: MAPS ACTIVITIES TexasStateParks.org/app 2025 Toyota Tacoma From scenic trails to serene lake shores, the Toyota Tacoma is your ultimate companion for exploring the untamed beauty of Texas wildlife. With its redesigned interior and powerful performance, you’ll be ready for any excursion. Adventure. It’s what we share. | toyota.com/tacoma Options shown. Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation 8 Places to Stay 10 Recreational Vehicles 12 Tips for Time in Nature 14 Visitor Fees & Passes DIRECTORY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 52 68 20 38 60 30 84 20 Big Bend Country 60 Pineywoods 48 State Parks Map David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Jeffery D. Hildebrand, Chairman Houston Oliver J. Bell, Vice-Chairman Cleveland James E. Abell Kilgore Wm. Leslie Doggett Houston Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas Dick Scott Wimberley Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Cover Photo: Galveston Island State Park, Chase Fountain Texas State Parks Official Guide, Twenty-first Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (4/25) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas.gov/ nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD through Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@ tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. WELCOME from Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director I am excited about the future for Texas State Parks. I am glad we have been able to highlight past successes like our 100-year anniversary and our Gold Medal win, but it is important that we build on that success moving forward. For 2025, thanks to your support, we embark on a new era for Texas State Parks, and we should all be proud of what we have built and where we are headed. As more and more Texans are discovering the beauty of state parks, it is exciting to have the opportunity to grow our system of parks through the Centennial Parks Fund. This is a huge legacy that will impact outdoor recreation and conservation for years to come and work has begun to identify beautiful properties that will become the next great state park. Adding new state parks will allow Texans to explore new, special wild places in a variety of ways. That said, we will continue to protect and improve existing parks that have served Texans so well. Texas is a big state with lots for our team to steward and visitors to enjoy. Our teams across the state remain eager to welcome outdoor enthusiasts and novices alike, to discover what our parks have to offer. Since 1923, our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. As we honor those who have come before us, I invite a new generation to be a part of the story of the heritage that connects us all. You and your family should be a part of the next chapter of Texas State Parks as there is more to enjoy than you may realize. I hope you’ll visit soon and often and bring your friends and family along. Parks are for everyone and we’re looking forward to embarking on the new golden age of Texas State Parks along with you. WHAT’S NEW IN STATE PARKS Balmorhea State Park is fully reopened with renovations to the San Solomon Motor Courts, campsites and historic spring-fed swimming pool. In addition, South Llano River State Park has a new visitor center, amphitheater and river bridge. The Devils River Dan A. Hughes Unit is set to open in 2025, offering new opportunities for camping, hiking and paddling along 10 miles of pristine river frontage. Improvements include Indian Lodge’s renovations, repair and road construction at Garner State Park, and updates at Eisenhower, Lake Corpus Christi, Bonham, Pedernales Falls and several other state parks. 3 PARKS NEAR YOU Where do you want to go? You’ll find many state parks nearby. Dallas/Fort Worth >>

Guía de Parques INSTALACIONES Descarga la Aplicacíon Móvil MAPAS ACTIVIDADES texasstateparks.org/app ¡Los niños entran gratis! La entrada es gratis para los niños de 12 años y menores. Encuentra un parque: parquesdetexas.org Contenido Estero Llano Grande SP 2 Actividades y Programas 4 Parques Cercanos 6 Lugares para Quedarse 8 Tarifas y Pases 9 Directorio 10 Mapa de Parques 18 Instalaciones y Actividades BIENVENIDO Rodney Franklin, Director de Parques Texas tiene algunas de las tierras públicas más diversas del país, con una gran riqueza natural y cultural. La vida silvestre está por todas partes, los paisajes florecen con belleza, y la historia es abundante. Sus parques estatales son parte del legado que nos enorgullece. La gente de Texas ayuda a asegurar ese legado para las generaciones futuras al visitar y ser voluntarios. ¡Gracias! Estos más de 630,000 acres exhiben algunos de los grandes tesoros del estado. Los parques nos ayudan a crear recuerdos con la familia y a encontrar consuelo en la naturaleza. Los parques fortalecen las economías locales y unen a las comunidades. Sobre todo, los parques nos permiten pasar tiempo al aire libre para recargar energías, estar saludables y relajarnos a nuestra manera. Les invito a disfrutar de sus parques estatales, explorando lo mejor de Texas con amigos y familia. Los parques están aquí para todos. Nos pertenecen a todos. ¡Visítelos, diviértase y ayude a protegerlos para siempre! Foto de portada: Estero Llano State Park, Chase Fountain © 2021 TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (5/21) TPWD recibe fondos del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. (USFWS por sus siglas en ingles). TPWD prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color, religión, nacionalidad de origen, discapacidad, edad y género, conforme la ley estatal y federal. Para solicitar un acomodo especial u obtener información en un formato alternativo, por favor contacte a TPWD en un Teléfono de Texto (TTY) al (512) 3898915 ó por medio de “Relay Texas” al 7-1-1 ó (800) 735-2989 ó por email a accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Si usted cree que TPWD ha discriminado en su contra, favor de comunicarse con TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, o con el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU., Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. De acuerdo con la Ley de Depósito del Estado de Texas, esta publicación está disponible en el centro de Distribución de Publicaciones del Estado de Texas y/o las Bibliotecas de Depósito de Texas. ACTIVIDADES Y PROGRAMAS ¿Qué puedo hacer en los parques estatales? ¡Disfruta de un día de campo, visita un sitio histórico o elige entre muchas otras opciones! Bicicletas Pedalea a lo largo de los parques a cualquier velocidad, en cualquier estilo, con cualquier grupo. Elige las rutas, el tipo de terreno y las distancias que cumplan con tu zona de confort. Caminatas Empieza con un circuito más corto, avanza a terrenos más difíciles o únete a una caminata guiada. Pescar Puedes pescar sin licencia en tantos como 70 parques estatales. Muchos parques ofrecen equipo para pescar a manera de préstamo y eventos especiales para aprender a pescar. Barcos Renta canoas y kayacs y explora uno de los senderos acuáticos en Texas. Nadar Animales Silvestres Acampar Descubre aves, mamíferos y plantas que tienen su hogar en Texas. Muchos parques tienen señalamientos y listados que te ayudan a aprender más. Encuentra un lugar que cumpla con lo que quieres. Prueba nuevas recetas, comparte historias favoritas y disfruta de las estrellas. 2 Más información y reservaciones: parquesdetexas.org Escape del calor en arroyos, ríos, lagos, manantiales, piletas y playas del mar. Tu seguridad en el agua es muy importante. Lleva el chaleco salvavidas. Aprende a nadar. Guarda a los niños. (512) 389-8900 ¡Pregunta en tu parque cuáles están disponibles! Los niños de 12 años y menores entran GRATIS Cielos Estrellados Escapa de las luces de la ciudad y goza de maravillosas vistas del cielo que no encontrarás en ninguna otra parte. Ven a una fiesta de estrellas o toma una excursión de constelaciones auto-guiada. Familias en la Naturaleza Elige un taller o diseña tu propia aventura. ¡Monta una tienda de campaña, cocina al exterior, prende una fogata y juega al exterior! Nosotros te Toma una publicación gratuita de actividades o pregunta por los paquetes gratuitos con los parques proporcionamos todo el equipo. No es necesario tener experiencia. participantes. Usa los binoculares, lupas, libros de bosquejos y libros de guías para explorar el parque. Mochilas para Exploradores Soldados Búfalo de Texas Descubre la historia con cuentos, vestuarios y herramientas. Sigue la pista de un animal, pesca con caña, cocina sobre una fogata, visita los fuertes y más. Adéntrate en las historias de vida de aquellos que sirvieron valientemente en los primeros regimientos Áfrico-Americanos de las Fuerzas Armadas. ! Seguridad en el Parque Ten cuidado con el agua Pre