Falcon

Falcon SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/falcon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_International_Reservoir#Recreation Falcon State Park is 572.6 acres (2.317 km2) located between Falcon Heights, Texas, and Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Tamaulipas, and is the southern end of a 98,960-acre (400.5 km2) International Falcon Reservoir. The park's main activities include camping, swimming, fishing, water skiing, and boating, with a self-guided nature trail. Bass fishing is particularly popular on the lake.

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE Falcon State Park is a great place to enjoy the natural world around you. Try your luck fishing, take a hike or ride a bike on one of the trails, spend the night at one of our campsites, A/C cabins or shelters, or just explore! Any way you choose to experience the park, please enjoy it safely and responsibly! • Please be safe while swimming or paddling. • Trash your trash, it can hurt the wildlife living here. • Hike on designated trails and park in designated areas. • Respect wildlife by keeping your dog on a leash. • Public consumption or display of alcohol in the park is prohibited NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST Lake Casa Blanca International State Park 5102 Bob Bullock Loop, Laredo, TX 78041 • (956) 725-3826 WELCOME TO FALCON STATE PARK, EVERYONE IS WELCOME! THE FISHING IS ALWAYS GOOD, THE TRAILS ARE PRETTY EASY AND THE WILDLIFE WATCHING IS WAITING FOR YOU. SPEND THE NIGHT HERE TO SHAKE OFF THE STRESSES OF YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AND TAKE Roma Bluffs World Birding Center (part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge) 610 N. Portscheller St., Roma, TX 78584 Salineno Bird Preserve (Valley Land Fund) Salineno, TX 78584 Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive (FM 2062), Mission, TX 78572 (956) 584-9156 Falcon State Park 146 Park Roadd 46, Falcon Heights, TX 78545 (956) 848-5327 • www.tpwd.texas.gov/falcon/ IN A SUNSET OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF MEXICO. © 2021 TPWD. PWD BR P4502-0060E (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. FALCON FALCON SSTATE TATE PPARK ARK F A L C O N S T A T E P A R K ATTRACTING PEOPLE FOR CENTURIES Before the lake you see now was created, the Rio Grande River brought several peoples to this area. Native Americans gathered food and water, Spanish missionaries strived to convert people to Christianity, and then Spanish settlers built cattle ranches and villages that lasted for centuries. Unfortunately, most of the remnants of the past were lost when the land was flooded to create the lake, and even more when the lake was low, and people looted the sites, stealing your past. In present day, known for world-class fishing, Falcon Reservoir still brings people from far and wide. They fish, boat and take a dip to cool off in the hot South Texas summers. When dedicated by U.S. and Mexican presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adolfo Ruiz Cortines in 1953, the dam formed a 28-mile lake with a surface area of 87,400 acres (354 sq km). Unfortunately, due to severe droughts and increased water usage the lake is a fraction of its original size. The bass are still biting though, so get out there and cast your line! BE KIND TO OUR HOME T Texas tortoise NATURE’S BEAUTY ABOUNDS The natural world here has changed a lot since it was a shallow bay about 50 million years ago. You can still find fossilized oysters on the shores. Away from the lake, the arid landscape teems with wildlife specialized to live here. Species like the javelina and Texas tortoise use the thick scrub as shelter and food. Birds and butterflies love this area too, making it an excellent place to work on your life lists of those species. The blooms aren’t always big and don’t last long but when they’re open, colorful birds and butterflies swarm around. A quick and easy walk on the 2.8-mile trail loop will show you just how harsh but beautiful this landscape can be. The butterfly garden and bird blind bring people from far and wide. Monarch butterfly Green kingfisher he land here has always been a place for people and wildlife to live together, but it can only continue to be with your help. With lots of visitors comes lots of impact to the natural world. As you enjoy the park, remember you’re in the home of a javelina, quail, Texas tortoise or one of many other animals that live here. Be a good guest and Leave No Trace®! Pick up trash when you see it and stay on hard surfaces like trails and roads. Leave flowers and plants where they are so the next visitor can enjoy their beauty. Desert willow Javelina 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Falcon State Park TexasStateParks.org/App TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia #TxStateParks #BetterOutside LEGEND PLEASE NOTE • N • • PARK ROAD 46 • • • • Hiking trail loop = 2.6 miles total ails s Tr Whitebrush Trail nd odla Wo 210 211 212 213 214 217 209 208 207 202 201 204 206 205 203 227 225 223 221 224 226 219 220 222 218 231 131 230 101 130 229 102 228 129 128 103 104 Cactus Loop 216 215 Cenizo Loop Sites 201-231 105 113 114 Road runne 127 106 112 115 120 119 118 116 117 • SPEED LIMIT r Loop 126 20 121 • Roadrunner Trail 125 124 107 108 109 111 110 • MPH ser Showers Self-Composting Toilet Primitive Campsites Water and Electric Sites Full Hookup Sites Dump Station Hiking Trail Covered Picnic Parking Dumpster Screened Shelters 123 1 Sites 101-131 Shelters with AC Recreation Hall Boat Ramp t Tr ail Fish Cleaning Butterfly Garden 1 Sites 43-79 Verdin Trail Desert Trail 3 Osprey Loop 2 5 7 11 8 12 10 14 Wildlife Viewing Lantana Loop 9 6 4 Javelina Loop Restrooms 122 Roadrunner Loop De Headquarters CHECK OUT time is 12 p.m. or renew permit by 9 a.m. (pending site availability). Public consumption or display of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited. A maximum of eight people permitted per campsite. Guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. Quiet time is from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. GRAY WATER AND BLACK WATER MUST BE DISCHARGED ONLY AT DUMP STATION. Pets must be kept on leash. Please pick up after them. Gathering of firewood is prohibited. Campfires are permitted only in fire rings provided at each site. No ground fires are permitted. Please use extreme caution with any burning materials during the high-fire danger summer brings. Stop the spread of invasive species. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. Please review complete Park Rules and Regulations posted at headquarters. Favor de revisar el reglamento completo del parque que se encuentra en la oficina central. Residence 13 15 16 17 19 Ba 18 ss op Maintenance 23 20 Lo 21 22 24 146 Park Road 46 P.O. Box 2 Falcon Heights, TX 78545 (956) 848-5327 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. © 2022 TPWD PWD MP P4502-060B (2/22) This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIRDS OF FA L C O N S T A T E P A R K A FIELD CHECKLIST 2019 INTRODUCTION F alcon State Park is a 572.6-acre tract that lies at the southern end of the Falcon International Reservoir, partly in Starr County, partly in Zapata County. The dam was dedicated in 1953. Work was completed on the embankment in 1954. Falcon State Park opened to the public in 1965. Its Tamaulipan thornscrub woodlands and gently rolling terrain offer excellent birding. Blackbrush acacia, persimmon, cenizo, guayacan, allthorn and other native plants provide habitat. A 2.6-mile hiking loop circles the park and is clearly marked with signs that name each trail segment. The shoreline can be accessed from day use and boat launch areas. In the distant past, the Rio Grande River seasonally overflowed its banks as it carried a tremendous volume of water and sediment from the high mountains of Colorado and Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico. Frequently, flow from spring flooding and late summer storms would alter the course of the river. Today, dams such as Falcon International Reservoir help control water flow. The river originates in the Rio Grande National Forest of Colorado. By the time it reaches Presidio, Texas, flow is greatly diminished. Only water from the mountains of Northern Mexico now flows between Presidio and the Gulf of Mexico. Resident species such as Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Greater Roadrunner, Bewick’s Wren, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Pyrrhuloxia, Olive Sparrow and Black-throated Sparrow are often easily seen. Specialties such as Zone-tailed Hawk, Ringed Kingfisher, and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher might be found. This checklist follows the nomenclature and organization of the 58th supplement to the A.O.S. Check-list of North American Birds. It was compiled by Sherry Wilson from data provided by visiting birders, with feedback from Mary Beth Stowe. Please report any new or unusual observations to the state park headquarters. Your contributions will help with future updates to this checklist. 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. 1 LEGEND C U R X W Sp S F – – – – – – – – Common; often seen daily Uncommon; might be seen, some years more likely than others Rare; very few sightings Extremely rare; only a few records exist Winter (December, January, February) Spring (March, April, May) Summer (June, July, August) Fall (September, October, November) 2 CHECKLIST W Sp S F GEESE AND DUCKS ___ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck R U R R ___ Fulvous Whistling-Duck X ___ Snow Goose R R R ___ Ross’s Goose X X ___ Greater White-fronted Goose R U ___ Canada Goose X ___ Muscovy Duck X X ___ Wood Duck R R X ___ Blue-winged Teal U U U ___ Cinnamon Teal R R ___ Northern Shoveler U U R ___ Gadwall U U R ___ American Wigeon U U U ___ Mallard U U U ___ Mottled Duck U U U U ___ Northern Pintail U R U ___ Green-winged Teal U R R ___ Canvasback R R R ___ Redhead R R R ___ Ring-necked Duck U R ___ Lesser Scaup R R ___ Bufflehead U R R ___ Hooded Merganser R X R ___ Red-breasted Merganser R R ___ Ruddy Duck R R 3 R W Sp S F GUANS ___ Plain Chachalaca R U R R NEW WORLD QUAIL ___ Northern Bobwhite C C C C ___ Scaled Quail U U U U TURKEYS ___ Wild Turkey R R R GREBES ___ Least Grebe U ___ Pied-billed Grebe R U C C ___ Horned Grebe X ___ Eared Grebe U U PIGEONS AND DOVES ___ Rock Pigeon U ___ Red-billed Pigeon U R R R ___ Eurasian Collared-Dove C C C U ___ Inca Dove C C C C ___ Common Ground-Dove C C C C ___ White-tipped Dove R R R R ___ White-winged Dove U C C U ___ Mourning Dove C C C C CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS, ANIS ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo U U ___ Greater Roadrunner C C C C ___ Groove-billed Ani R C C R GOATSUCKERS ___ Lesser Nighthawk 4 C C R W Sp S F ___ Common Nighthawk C C R ___ Common Pauraque C C C C ___ Common Poorwill R R X ___ Chuck-will’s-widow X ___ Eastern Whip-poor-will R SWIFTS ___ Chimney Swift U R R HUMMINGBIRDS ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird U U ___ Black-chinned Hummingbird R R R ___ Rufous Hummingbird X X ___ Buff-bellied Hummingbird X R R RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS ___ Sora R ___ Purple Gallinule R ___ Common Gallinule R R ___ American Coot C C R R C CRANES ___ Sandhill Crane R R STILTS AND AVOCETS ___ Black-necked Stilt R U X ___ American Avocet R R U PLOVERS ___ American Golden Plover R ___ Snowy Plover X X ___ Semipalmated Plover R ___ Killd

-Official- FA C I L I T I E S MAPS Get the Mobile App: ACTIVITIES texasstateparks.org/app 2022 Toyota Tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation Introducing a truck that needs no introduction. The new Tundra was born from a legacy of invincibility. And designed to take on everything the great state of Texas has to offer. toyota.com/Tundra Built Here Lives Here: Assembled in Texas with U.S. and globally sourced parts. Contents 4 6 8 10 Activities and Programs Parks Near You Places to Stay Recreational Vehicles 12 Tips for Time in Nature Eisenhower 14 Visitor Fees and Passes Directory 18 Big Bend Country Fort Davis 28 Gulf Coast 34 Hill Country 48 Panhandle Plains 56 Pineywoods 64 Prairies and Lakes 80 South Texas Plains 86 Facilities and Activities TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT Carter P. Smith Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman Lake Jackson Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman Wimberley James E. Abell Kilgore Oliver J. Bell Cleveland Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Jeffery D. Hildebrand Houston Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth Index 44 State Parks Map Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cover photo: Tyler State Park, Chase Fountain Texas State Parks Official Guide, Eighteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/22) 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. 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 It’s an exciting time in Texas State Parks. The challenges of the last few years have led many people to explore the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Many Texans discovered their state parks for the first time, while longtime users have discovered new parks to visit. The variety of Texas’ lands is unmatched; from the mountains of west Texas to the gulf shores, the Texas State Park system celebrates and preserves the natural and cultural treasures that make Texas such a special place. You might say that the 630,000-plus acres that make up the state park system is nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923 our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. Every day we look for new and better ways to live that mission and make sure state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience with being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. I’m glad you’re here and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100year anniversary of state parks with you very soon. What’s new in state parks? >> New facilities to welcome visitors at Ray Roberts Lake – Johnson Branch, Franklin Mountains, and Galveston Island State Parks >> R  epairs completed at Stephen F. Austin’s group facilities, McKinney Falls’ visitor center, Goose Island’s fishing pier and bayfront campsites and Lake Livingston’s fishing pier and marina >> Improvements and major repairs are planned for Tyler, South Llano River, Cedar Hill and several other state parks >> B  almorhea State Park reopened their pool and day use area following repair and reconstruction. Over 600 acres of land was also added to the park. >> Construction has begun at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. texasstateparks.org/whatsnew ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS What is there to do in state parks? Enjoy a family picnic, tour a hallowed historic site or choose from some of these visitor favorites: Bike Pedal across parks at any speed, in any style, with any group. Choose the routes, surfaces and distances that fit your comfort zone. Walk Start with a shorter loop, tackle tougher terrain or join a guided tour. Fish Fish without a license in as many as 70 state parks. Many offer tackle loaner programs and special learnto-fish events. Boat or Paddle Rent canoes and kayaks, explore a Texas Paddling Trail or launch a boat. View Wildlife Discover the birds, mammals and p

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