Overview
__Situated on the United States-Mexico border, Amistad National Recreation Area is known__primarily for excellent year-round, Outdoor Activities 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 areas rock art sites. Examples of facilities that support__these activities include boat ramps, picnic and camping areas, and hiking trails.
Natural Features
Amistad National Recreation Area consists of 57,292 acres (23,185 ha) 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.
Nearby Attractions
Lake Amistad is a top quality fishing spot for largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass. Amistad National Recreation Area offers 12 boat ramps allowing access to Lake Amistad, however, due to low water levels only 4 ramps remain open. Boat rentals are available at Rough Canyon just 22 miles (35 km) from San Pedro Group Campground. Park Approved Guides and Rentals offer activities such as guided fishing and kayak trips on the lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife maintains 3 state parks in the area; Kickapoo Cavern State Park (60 miles/97 km NE off of Ranch Road 674) offering guided cave tours, Devils River State Natural Area (60 Miles/97 km NW off of St Hwy 277) offering paddling, swimming and fishing opportunities and Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site (34 miles/55 km NW off of Hwy 90) offering world class ancient rock art viewing. The campground is just 9 miles (14 km) NW of Del Rio, TX (pop. around 35,0000). Del Rio enjoys many restauraunts, a movie theater and shopping.