 Photo Courtesy Dennis Eccleston
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Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Fishing | yes | | | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes |
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 Photo Courtesy Dennis Eccleston
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Texas State Park
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| National Park Contact Information: |
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Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 450
Rio Hondo, Texas 78583
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| National Park Overview: |
| The south Texas landscape is a unique blending of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and desert habitats. Mexican plants and wildlife are at the northernmost edge of their range, while migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes fly down for the mild winters. This combination makes Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge world famous for its birds, and home to a mix of wildlife found nowhere else.
Laguna Atascosa NWR is the largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, an oasis for wildlife with few alternatives. The refuge's 45,187 acres become more valuable with each acre lost to development--valuable to wildlife and valuable to those who enjoy wildlife in wildlands. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| The south Texas landscape is a unique blending of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and desert habitats. Mexican plants and wildlife are at the northernmost edge of their range, while migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes fly down for the mild winters. This combination makes Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge world famous for its birds, and home to a mix of wildlife found nowhere else.
Laguna Atascosa NWR is the largest protected area of natural habitat left in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, an oasis for wildlife with few alternatives. The refuge's 45,000 acres become more valuable with each acre lost to development--valuable to wildlife and valuable to those who enjoy wildlife in wildlands.
When the Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda arrived in the Rio Grande Valley in 1519 he found a landscape very different from what we see today. The area was abundant with wildlife, and 3 million acres of coastal prairies and brushlands covered the landscape. Doves darkened the sky, deer grew fat on grasslands, and ducks filled the bays near the coast. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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You must see it!!!
We did not expect to visit such a beautiful place. We have seen birds, rattle snakes and alligators. The views of the laguna are unique. We strongly recommend to visit it and to take the 15 mile drive loop.
(name not given)
11-Apr-2008
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Our favorite place to look for wildlife
We are avid photographers and have seen most animals that live in the refuge. When it is wet, there are abundances of birds of every type and when it is dry, we seem to see more cats. There are always deer, nilgui, alligators, lots of roadrunners and bunnies, hawks, Mexican eagles, osprey, greenjays, ducks, pigs, javalinas and so many more. We are always searching for the elusive oscelot and I swear I saw a Jaguarundi a few years back. It is a very special place.
Written by Joan
24-Mar-2009
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I love living here
Laguna Atascosa is my get-a-way and the most peaceful, BEAUTIFUL area God has blessed us with down here in South Texas. Just this morning I drove out a sunsrise with a friend. We saw deer, beautiful birds, three nilgai, and serene land. At sunset two days ago we encountered and entire herd of magical nilgai running across the open land. It was breathtaking. We also saw an ocelot, a bobcat and javelina, deer, coyote and breathtaking birds. I have been out there several times a year and each time has proven to be phenomenal. I love taking friends, family and visitors to the area.
Written by VeronicaLucio
7-Apr-2009
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Breathtaking, surprises everywhere
Abundant wildlife for the wildlife enthusiast. My first time there and I will be back every year. The amount of wildlife is truly amazing! I saw deer, rattlesnakes, redfish tailing, bobcat, javelina, eagles, and the list goes on. A very unique place. It was like driving through a safari!
(name not given)
29-May-2009
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| Trails: |
| Kiskadee Trail (1/8 mile) starts between the Visitor Center and the refuge office building. This short, shaded loop surrounds a shallow pond that holds water in wet years. Featuring an observation deck and small bridge, Kiskadee Trail offers even the casual hiker an opportunity for a close-up view of several native shrubs and trees and possibly a variety of birds.
Mesquite Trail (1? mile) starts at the Visitor Center parking lot. Trees shade portions of the trail as it winds through grassy savannas. Two small ponds located along the trail hold water in wet years. Signs of deer and coyote are evident along the trail.
Paisano Trail (1 mile) is a remnant of the gunnery range located here during World War II. Verdin, roadrunner, long-billed thrasher, and plain chachalaca await the watchful birder. Our only paved trail, it is good in wet weather.
Lakeside Trail (1? miles) starts at Osprey Overlook on the Laguna Atascosa. Views of the lake and thorn forest provide the possibility of good birding. Wildflowers are plentiful, especially during March and April.
Moranco Blanco (3 1/10 miles) starts a short distance past Redhead Ridge on Bayside Drive. Moranco Blanco is a primitive route with good views of the bay and yucca in bloom (spring).
Alligator Pond: Alligator watching has become very popular at the refuge. During wet years they seem to inhabit every pond. Alligator Pond, .25 miles south of Osprey Overlook, usually has a gator or two. Alligators can also sometimes be seen on the resaca on Lakeside Drive. Alligators can be dangerous; stay on the road and do not feed or disturb them. Keep a close eye on small children and pets.
Biking:
Bicycles are permitted on tour roads and some service roads. Service roads are primitive routes where riders should be prepared for emergencies. Check with refuge staff for approved routes. Bring plenty of water, know how to repair a flat, and be able to walk several miles if your bike breaks down. Off-road riding is prohibited. |
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| Related Links: |
| Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is home to a population of about 35 ocelots - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is home to a population of about 35 ocelots. During 14 years of research, 70 ocelots have been captured. When an ocelot is captured, that cat is sedated ... | | Handbook of Texas Online: LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - return to handbook view LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, on Laguna Atascosa and Laguna Madreqqv twenty-five miles east of Harlingen in Cameron ... | | Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge - LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Rio Grande Valley -- Protected Nature Hub Laguna Atascosa, the muddy lagoon in ... Service. 1997. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish ... | | Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Texas - Find information on hiking, camping, biking, balloning, canoeing, parks, golfing, boating, hotels, scenic drives, or anything else you can do outside in Austin, Texas. | | Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Texas - Return to The East Texas Outside Guide | | Laguna Atascosa NWR - Wildlife, habitat, recreational opportunities, volunteering at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. ... makes Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge world famous for its birds ... | | http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/...02/ocelots.html - Once thought to have vanished from North America--victims of hunting and habitat loss--the cats ... Not a Lot of Ocelots Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research ... | | Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| From Harlingen, go east on Highway 106 14 miles past Rio Hondo. Take a left at the T and drive 3 miles to the visitor center. From South Padre Island, take Highway 100 out of Port Isabel and exit right on Farm Road 510 at Laguna Vista. Continue 5.4 miles to the Cameron County Airport road. Take a right and continue approximately 7 miles to the visitor center. From Brownsville, go north on Paredes Line Road (1847) through Los Fresnos to Highway 106. Take a right and go approximately 10 miles to the T. Take a left and drive 3 miles to the visitor center. |
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