• View of Indian Cliffs from the Devils River.

    Amistad

    National Recreation Area Texas

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  • The Spur 454 Boat Ramp is now open.

    Spur 454 Boat Ramps is now open. Off road driving is not permitted anywhere except on designated park roads.

  • 277 North Camp Ground Closed

    The 277 North camp ground is now closed due to the low lake levels. Other camp grounds that are in the near area are San Pedro camp ground and the Rough Canyon camp ground.

  • Shallow crossing at the mouth of the Pecos River

    Boaters should use extreme caution when navigating thought the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grand River a miscalculation could get you stuck on a muddy sand bar. Only small shallow-draft boats can pass thought this part of the river.

Nature & Science

Nature and Science

Dragonflies thrive in healthy aquatic habitats

Amistad National Recreation Area supports flora and fauna in a combination not found in any other National Park Service site. This biodiversity is a result of the park’s location in a transition zone between three major plant communities: Tamaulipan Shrubland, Chihuahuan Desert, and Edwards Plateau. This mix of habitats is combined with a huge expanse of the clear, clean waters of Amistad Reservoir.

People use Amistad Reservoir year round. In contrast, some animals utilize the area only during seasonal migrations. In the fall, thousands of Monarch butterflies roost on park lands before continuing their journey south to wintering sites in Mexico. Many waterfowl species spend the winter on the lake before returning north in the spring. Even endangered and threatened species, such as the Interior least tern, use the lake to nest and raise young.

The National Park Service and state agencies have implemented several projects in order to monitor the natural resources of the lake and surrounding areas. Extensive inventories of flora and fauna, yearly Monarch butterfly tagging, and monthly water quality testing provide invaluable data. By monitoring changes, park staff can quickly take measures to conserve the natural resources and beauty of Amistad National Recreation Area.

Did You Know?

Cenizo blooms when it rains.

Cenizo (or Purple Sage) is often called "barometer bush" because it blooms shortly after a major rain.