277 North Group

Summary

Amistad National Recreation Area offers a range of land and water-based recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, boating, birding, hiking, picnicking, camping, and hunting. The park is situated on the US-Mexico border and is home to a variety of plant and animal life, making it perfect for exploring the great outdoors. It is also one of the largest tracts of land available for hunting in southwest Texas and boasts excellent bass fishing.

Overview

Situated on the United States-Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area is known 

primarily for excellent year-round, water-based recreation including boating, fishing, 

swimming, scuba diving, and waterskiing. Amistad National Recreation Area also provides 

opportunities for picnicking, camping, and hunting. Amistad Dam created the reservoir at 

the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils, and Pecos Rivers in 1969. In addition to excellent 

recreation, Amistad National Recreation Area is rich in archeology and rock art and contains 

a wide variety of plant and animal life. Amistad park headquarters is in Del Rio, Texas, 

population 35,000

Recreation

Amistad National Recreation Area offers a diverse array of land- and 

water-based recreational opportunities, including fishing, swimming, boating, birding, 

hiking, picnicking, camping, and hunting. Visitors can experience expansive views, 

night skies, and a number of the area’s rock art sites. Examples of facilities that support 

these activities include boat ramps, picnic and camping areas, and hiking trails.

Facilities

The group campground offers a private primitive camping space for up to 35 people. The site has a large pavilion, vault toilet, campfire ring, pedestal grill and table. Bring your own water as water is not available at this site. Leashed pets are welcome. 

Natural Features

Amistad National Recreation Area consists of 57,292.44 acres of 

federally owned land and is one of the largest tracts of land available for hunting in 

southwest Texas. Three ecological zones and three rivers meet at Amistad National 

Recreation Area. Plant communities are determined by topography, soil type, and 

rainfall and support a wide variety of plant and animal life. Rugged canyons provide 

outstanding scenic vistas.

A majority of Amistad National Recreation Area contains Lake 

Amistad, which is fed by the Pecos, Rio Grande, and Devils Rivers. Crystal clear 

stretches of river, natural springs, and fluctuating reservoir levels support a variety of 

aquatic plant and animal species. The recreation area has some of the best bass fishing 

in the American Southwest.