As part of the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a world-class destination for bird-watching. The Rio Grande Valley hosts one of the most spectacular convergences of birds on earth with more than 525 species documented in this unique place. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park alone has an impressive list of 358 species recorded within the park’s boundaries. Birders have a chance to see migratory birds during their yearly migrations over the valley including flocks of thousands of hawks from the park’s Hawk Tower in the spring and fall. Some birders travel to the Bentsen to see bird species they can’t find anyplace else in the country--from the Green Jay and the Buff-bellied Hummingbird to the Great Kiskadee and the Altamira Oriole.
The visitor center has a bilingual (English/Spanish) exhibit hall, park store, group hall and administrative offices--all surrounded by butterfly gardens and hummingbird feeders. Visitors can take our transportation shuttle, ride bikes or walk through the park. A two-story observation tower with a wheelchair-accessible ramp gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the canopy as well as a peek into Mexico. Two enclosed bird blinds, a birding wall and several water features allow visitors to see birds up close and watch their behaviors. Ten bird feeding stations are stocked from November through March, and over seven miles of trails offer a variety of opportunities to encounter wildlife inside the park.
Dramatic views off of the 200-foot bluff and from the CCC-built loop road are among the featured attractions of this 382-acre park. Early morning or sunset, joggers, walkers and cyclists circle the loop, enjoying these views as they exercise. An elaborate Fourth of July fireworks display is one of the largest in the region. Other activities include picnicking, nature study and sightseeing.
The park has a Group Pavilion available for reservation; it is on top of the hill and holds up to 50 people.
Activities include (unsupervised) swimming and fishing in the man-made lake, built in 1935, as well as camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking and boating (5 mph speed limit). Check out the interactive trails map for more hiking information.
We rent paddle boats. kayaks and canoes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
If you plan to swim at the park, read through our swimming safety tips before you come.
Come for a picnic, afternoon swim, fishing trip or a weekend campout on the banks of the spring-fed Blanco River. We’re just an hour from Austin and San Antonio.
Big Bend Ranch State Park offers outdoor recreation for the truly adventurous. This remote park features rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies, and solitude in a high desert setting. The park stretches along the Rio Grande in far west Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Come for a picnic, afternoon swim, fishing trip or a weekend campout on the banks of the spring-fed Blanco River. We’re just an hour from Austin and San Antonio.