 Photo Courtesy CAROLYN JOHNSON
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Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes | | | Picnicking | yes |
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 Photo Courtesy CAROLYN JOHNSON
VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
Nearby Parks:
Seminole Canyon State Park
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| National Park Overview: |
 | A splash of blue stands out against limestone cliffs. The honking of a great blue heron, interspersed with the descending trill of a canyon wren, can be heard off in the distance. This landscape, which at times appears stark and desolate, comes alive with color after a rainstorm. Amistad is a land of contrasts...and of hidden treasures. The same water that draws people to boat and fish today, sustained over 300 generations of hunters and gatherers. They left behind a record of their existence through colorful rock art panels, bits of tools, and fibers preserved for thousands of years by the arid desert climate.
Situated on the United States-Mexico Border, Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year round, water-based recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. So whether you come to boat, to ponder ancient mysteries, or to listen to bird song and watch the desert bloom, Amistad has something for you. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Best lake in Texas
Beautiful, huge, clear, deep lake. Super fishing (ESPN hosts televised pro-fishing tournaments here). You will need a Mexican fishing license to fish on the Mexican side of lake. This lake is also not a constant-level lake, so facilities serving boating are limited (3 permanent marinas), several boat docks. Marina services are pretty minimal. The Laughlin AFB Marina is the most developed, with RV sites available. Water tends to fluctuate quite a bit due to water releases for irrigation, so navigating the lake can be tricky at times. Camping along the lake is limited, however there are multiple day-use areas (with covered tables, grills) that are good for picnicing, swimming, etc. Plenty of boat storage.
Written by packalphadog
8-Jun-2009
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| Camping: |
| 277 North
Details : 17 Sites, each with a concrete pad, covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive camping only, no water or hook-ups available. New vault-style toilets. RVs ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come, first-served. Camp Hosts on-site in the winter months. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Thursday mornings from January through March.(see "Programs" on park's home pages). Fee $4/site/night Golden Age/ Golden Access Passport holders get 50% discount.
Governors Landing, Open All Year
Details : 15 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, water is available, no hook-ups. New vault-style toilets. RVs less than 28 feet ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come,first-served. Camp Hosts on-site in the winter months. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Thursday mornings from January through March. Fee $8/site/night Golden Age/ Golden Access Passport holders get 50% discount.
San Pedro, Open All Year
Details : 35 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, no water or hook-ups available. Long, flat spaces for RVs, tents ok. Also available, 5 tent-only spaces with picnic table. No reservations, sites are first-come-first-served. Camp Hosts on site in the winter season. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Thursday mornings from January through March(see "Programs" on park's home pages). Fee $4/site/night Golden Age/ Golden Access Passport holders get 50% discount.
Spur 406, Open All Year
Details : 8 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, no water or hook-ups available. New vault-style toilets. RVs ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come-first-served. Fee $4/site/night Golden Age/ Golden Access Passport holders get 50% discount.
SHORELINE CAMPING : Lakeshore camping is permitted anywhere within the recreation area except for developed areas such as marinas, launch ramps, and campgrounds. Hunt areas are also excluded from shoreline camping.
GROUP CAMPING AND PICNIC SITES : Group camping and picnic areas are available by reservation only. Reservations can be made 90 days in advance. There is a 15 person minimum to qualify for a group site. Fee for group camping is $2 per person per night, and must be paid in full at time of the reservation, or we cannot hold it for you. Call 830-775-7491 for reservations, or stop by the Amistad Visitor Information Center on Hwy 90 W, across from 3 Rivers RV Park.
Privately owned commercial campgrounds and RV parks with hookups are also available in near the lake. Call Del Rio Chamber of Commerce to find out more 830-775-3551.
RULES AND REGULATIONS : Ground fires are not permitted. Use your own grill or the one provided. Gathering dead and down wood is allowed. Live trees and standing dead wood can not be cut.
QUIET HOURS : Quiet hours are in effect between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Generators must be turned off between those hours. Noisemakers, fireworks, and unnecessary disturbances are prohibited at all times. LIMIT OF STAY : Camping is limited to 14 days per campground (not to exceed a total of 60 days) per calendar year.
SIZE LIMITS : All size RVs are welcome at 277 N, Spur 406 and San Pedro Campgrounds. At Governors Landing Campground your RV must not exceed 28 ft in length.
LEASE YOUR PETS PLEASE : Pets must be on a leash at all times and may not be left unattended. Owners should dispose of pet excrement, either in a trash can or l00 feet from the nearest campsite. Limestone is hard on your pets' feet. Fleas and ticks are abundant in the grassy areas near the lake. Heartworm is known to thrive in Texas, don't let your pet go unprotected.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES : Plants, wildlife, rocks, and artifacts may not be disturbed or removed. Use of metal detectors and possession of tools for artifact collecting is prohibited. |
| Boating: |
| BOATING LAKE AMISTAD : From open water to narrow, steeply walled canyons, Amistad NRA is a great place for boating. The park boundary extends 74 miles up the Rio Grande, 25 miles up the Devil's River and 14 miles up the Pecos River. Protected coves abound, providing superb fishing and ideal camping spots. Amistad is an international reservoir -- the United States-Mexico border is marked by buoys that follow the historic channel of the Rio Grande. You may boat on either side, but if you plan to boat on the Mexican side be sure to have a Mexican boating permit.
MEXICAN PERMITS : For fishing or boating on the Mexico side of Lake Amistad are available from the SAGARPA office in Ciudad Acu?t 380 Zapata, two blocks east of Blvd Guerrero (turn at the Chevy dealer). Office hours are 8-3 Monday- Friday. The phone number in Acu?s 877-2-58-14 and 877-2-62-38.
The Mexican permits can also be obtained at:
Amistad Marine (Chevron) on HWY 90 West, 830-775-0878, or
Fisherman's Headquarters (Chevron at the Y of 90 & 277 N)830-774-5670.
LAKE USE FEE : Amistad NRA charges a "Lake Use Fee" for motorized boats. Lake use fees for the U.S. side of Lake Amistad are $4/day (24 hours from time of purchase) or $40 for the annual permit. The annual permit is good for one year from month of purchase. Amistad NRA also offers a "3 day" (72 hours from time of purchase) lake use permit for $10. Lake use fees went into effect June 2, 1997. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| FISHING : The clear blue water of Lake Amistad provides excellent fishing. Black Bass, stripers, channel and yellow catfish attract many anglers to Amistad NRA.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS : Texas fishing license requirements apply when fishing on the U.S. side of Lake Amistad. When in Mexican waters, you must adhere to Mexican fishing regulations, which differ considerably from Texas State Regulations in terms of size and catch limits. The border with Mexico is indicated by numbered buoys running along the main channel of the Rio Grande. If you plan to fish in Mexico be sure to have a Mexican fishing license and boating permit.
The Mexican permits can also be obtained at:
Amistad Marine (Chevron) on HWY 90 West, 830-775-0878, or
Fisherman's Headquarters (Chevron at the Y of 90 & 277 N)830-774-5670.
BANK FISHING : You can fish from shore anywhere outside of harbors and designated swim areas. Fishing is prohibited in these areas because hooks and fishing line can result in injury or drowning. Courtesy fishing docks are located at Governor's Landing, Rough Canyon and at the end of Spur 454. Bass fishing has been doing extremely well in all parts of the lake.
WHAT TO FISH FOR : Some of the "favorite" catches at Lake Amistad are Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, and Black Crappie. fish checklist.
FISH CLEANING STATIONS : Fish cleaning stations are located at Diablo East, Rough Canyon and the Pecos River. Please do not put fish remains back into the lake. They take a long time to decompose in fresh water, resulting in littered and polluted water. Upgrades of these stations were implemented in 1998. Funding was provided by the collection of lake user fees that began in early July 1997. Other visitor use areas around Lake Amistad will also benefit from the collection of these fees
TOURNAMENTS : Many Fishing Clubs hold tournaments on Lake Amistad. If your club would like to have a tournament you may phone, write or email National Park Headquarters to register. Call 830-774-7492 or email amis_ranger_activities@nps.gov. Please register at least 2 weeks in advance to allow for paperwork to be processed.
LAUNCH RAMPS : The main launch ramps are located at Diablo East, Rough Canyon, Box Canyon, and Air Force Marina. Ramps are also available at Blackbrush Point, 277 North, Spur 406, Spur 454 and the Pecos River. Depending on lake conditions, these ramps may or may not be open.
MARINAS : Lake Amistad Resort and Marina, run by Forever Resorts concessionaire of Phoenix, AZ, Southwinds (USAF) Marina, and Rough Canyon Marina provide boat and slip rentals, and sell fuel, bait, ice, snacks and beverages.
Lake Amistad Resort and Marina (830) 774-4157.
Rough Canyon Marina (830) 775-8779.
Air Force Marina (830) 775-7800.
HUNTING : Hunting at Amistad NRA is ARCHERY ONLY except a shotgun with birdshot may be used for for dove, quail and duck. The use of rifles is not permitted. Hunting is allowed in designated areas of Amistad National Recreation Area during specified seasons.
The remaining shoreline and adjacent private lands are not open to public hunting. Regulations are enforced by the National Park Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. |
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| Related Links: |
| Archeology of Amistad National Recreation Area - Amistad National Recreation Area is home to Lower Pecos River Rock Art, some of the best preserved pictographs in the world. The rock art dates back 4,000 - 10, 000 years. | | Texas Travel Guide - Amistad National Recreation Area - Amistad National Recreation Area, Del Rio, Texas ... | Langtry Lost Maples | Palmetto | Pedernales Falls Amistad National Recreation Area There is not too much to write about Amistad - it ... | | Texas Guide - Photographs of Amistad National Recreation Area - Photographs of Amistad National Recreation Area, Texas ... > TEXAS -> Amistad Photographs Amistad National Recreation Area - Photographs US 90 bridge - on a gloomy morning Back to previous ... | | Texas Public Lands: Amistad National Recreation Area - Texas Public Lands: Amistad National Recreation Area ... nps.gov INFORMATIONAL LINKS Amistad National Recreation Area Amistad National Recreation Area On-line Maps Growing wolf ... | | Amistad National Recreation Area. - Everything you need to know about Amistad National Recreation Area. ... about each State's bird, flower ... USA ... Amistad National Recreation Area Located near Del Rio, TX Information ... | | Amistad National Recreation Area. - Information about Amistad National Recreation Area. ... map. Learn about each State's bird, flower ... USA ... Amistad National Recreation Area Situated on the United States-Mexico Border ... | | Amistad Travel Planner - Amistad National Recreation Area by TravelEze.com - Information and direct links for Amistad and nearby cities, to hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, other recreational activities, restaurants etc., covering all aspects of travel to Amistad NRA. | | Amistad, National Recreation Area - Amistad, National Recreation Area ... | Travel Games | Help/FAQ Home > United States > Texas Amistad National Recreation Area Description: A splash of blue stands out against limestone cliffs ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| Free Bird Walks : Available every third Saturday of the month from September to May. Meet at 8am at the Amistad Visitor Information Center on Hwy 90 W., across from Three Rivers RV Park. From there we will carpool to the Rio Grande below Amistad Dam. Bring binoculars, birding books, checklists, drinking water, snacks, and wear sturdy shoes.
FREE EVENING PROGRAMS : Will be held every third Saturday of the month at the Amistad Visitor Information Center located on Hwy 90 West across from Three Rivers RV Park. Programs will begin at 7:30 PM.. Topics will vary.
Lake Amistad Parade of Lights, Saturday, December 10.Begins at 6:30pm at Diablo East. Enter your boat by contacting the National Park Service. Awards for best boats. Spectator locations are Diablo East, Governors Landing, Southwinds Marina, and Amistad Dam. Call Amistad National Recreation Area at 775-7491 for more information.
FREE COFFEE WITH A RANGER PROGRAM : Every Thursday morning at 10 AM, January through March. The programs are held at the Campground Host's site and the locations rotate among 3 of Amistad NRA's campgrounds, Governors Landing, San Pedro and 277 North. All activities are open to the public and free of charge. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Big Bend National Park, 253 miles.
Fort Davis National Historic Site, 250 miles.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park, 200 miles.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 154 miles.
Padre Island National Seashore, 268 miles.
Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center, (432)291-3340, 70 miles.
Devils River State Natural Area, (830)395-2133, 66 miles.
Kickapoo Caverns State Park, (830)563-2342, 47 miles.
Fort Clark Springs, (830)563-9150, 33 miles.
Whitehead Memorial Museum, (830)774-7568, 5 miles. |
| Directions: |
| Plane - Del Rio is serviced by a small airport that will accommodate small private planes
Car - Amistad NRA lies in southwest Texas, west of San Antonio between Del Rio and Langtry, downstream from Big Bend National Park. It is reached via Highway 90 from the east and west and U.S. Routes 277/377 from the north and south
Public Transportation - Bus and Amtrak stations are located in Del Rio. |
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