Devils River State Natural Area

About

Devils River State Natural Area protects one of Texas' most pristine waterways and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert landscape. The park is split into two units roughly 15 miles apart: the Del Norte Unit serves as the main headquarters and offers access to the river for paddlers, while the Dan A. Hughes Unit provides additional camping and day-use access. The Devils River itself is renowned for its crystal-clear spring-fed waters and exceptional paddling opportunities through remote canyon terrain. Camping here is a true backcountry experience. All sites are primitive with no water or electricity available at the campsites. Each site includes a picnic table and tent pad, with bear boxes for food storage at hike-in and walk-in sites. Del Norte headquarters has restrooms with showers nearby, while Dan A. Hughes sites have composting toilets. Due to current burn restrictions, open fires are prohibited throughout the park; cooking is allowed only with containerized fuels like propane. Access requires careful planning. The roads are rough and high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. Self-contained trailers and motorhomes are limited to 16 feet or less. Visitors must arrive before 4 p.m. to check in, and the park operates on a limited weekly schedule. All visits require advance reservations through the Texas Parks & Wildlife reservation system.

Directions

The park has two separate units. Del Norte Unit: 21715 Dolan Creek Rd., Del Rio, TX 78840 (coordinates: 29.939694, -100.970206). Dan A. Hughes Unit: 15166 Private Road 1500, Del Rio, TX 78840 (coordinates: 29.729917, -100.960168). High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for both units due to rough road conditions.