Amistad National Recreation Area in Texas, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-22. Check linked official notices before travel.

Amistad National Recreation Area protects the U.S. side of an international reservoir near Del Rio, Texas. Boating, fishing, desert walks, and camping depend on choosing the right access point. Low water changes launching options. Do not plan to use Diablo East without confirming boat-ramp access with park staff.

Reservoir outings and Lower Pecos history

• Lake recreation: choose a permitted launch for fishing or boating on the U.S. side of the reservoir.
• Pecos scenery: a short interpretive walk at Pecos Day Use Area offers views of the river and cliffs.
• Ancient rock paintings: Panther and Parida caves have pictographs, but boat access depends on water levels and current conditions.
• Visitor-center interpretation: exhibits and films offer a land-based introduction to the region.

Check the launch before committing to a lake trip

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Prepare for desert heat and changing water

Bring drinking water even for a lakeside visit. NPS recommends about one gallon per person per day, including in winter. Do not drink untreated reservoir water. Plan walks during cooler hours and carry protection from sun and thorny vegetation.

Changing lake levels can expose or conceal obstacles. Wear an appropriate life jacket and prepare for storms before launching. There are no lifeguards. Read the park safety guidance for the activity you choose.

The reservoir crosses an international border marked along the historic Rio Grande channel. A U.S. lake-use pass does not cover Mexican charges or requirements. Verify the applicable jurisdiction before planning to cross the boundary.

Protect rock art and prevent aquatic hitchhikers

Clean, drain, and dry your boat and equipment after leaving the water. Do not remove plants, rocks, artifacts, or other protected objects. Keep to park land; a shoreline route can meet adjacent private property.

Pets need a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are excluded from archaeological sites, caves, rockshelters, and administrative buildings. At marinas, docks, walkways, and launch ramps, pets are allowed only when going directly to or from a boat. Clean up pet waste in developed areas.

Separate ordinary campsites from group bookings

Standard sites in the five designated campgrounds are first come, first served. They cannot be reserved. Posted fees range from USD 6 to USD 10 per site, and payment is due within 30 minutes of occupying a site.

Group camps at Rock Quarry, San Pedro, and 277 North require reservations through Recreation.gov. Book between 180 days and three days before arrival. Use the camping instructions to check the correct category and its limits.

Backcountry camping follows separate location restrictions and is mostly reached by boat. It is not permission to camp at any road-accessible shoreline. Consult staff before choosing a backcountry site.

Reach the correct area from Del Rio

The recreation area lies on the U.S.–Mexico border near Del Rio. U.S. Highway 90 provides the east–west approach; U.S. 277/377 provides access from the north or south. Pick the campground, day-use area, or launch before setting out rather than navigating to a general reservoir pin.

The official directions page links area maps, hiking maps, and paddling maps. Unmarked paddling routes require a more specific plan than a road map.

Other parks on regional road routes

• Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site: west of Comstock off U.S. 90, with its entrance on Park Road 67. Canyon rock-art visits require a guided tour.
• Kickapoo Cavern State Park: a separate drive to Ranch Road 674 near Brackettville. It closes Tuesday through Thursday, and unauthorized cave entry is prohibited.

Choose water recreation or a land-based visit

Fishing for bass and catfish is a main draw. Texas fishing-license rules apply in U.S. waters; Mexican rules differ across the border. Fishing is prohibited in harbors and designated swimming areas.

Hikers can use the Pecos interpretive trail or select another route from the park's trail maps. Bring a map showing boundaries. Cooler-hour walks are a different proposition from a long exposed outing in desert heat.

Call the visitor center before arranging a boat trip to Panther or Parida Cave. Low water can prevent access or make the upper reservoir hazardous. The visitor center's films and exhibits provide another way to learn about Lower Pecos rock art without relying on boat access.

Basic camps and specific access arrangements

Designated campgrounds have vault toilets, covered picnic tables, and grills. Governors Landing provides shared water spigots; the other campgrounds have more basic facilities. RV hookups are not provided. Confirm services for your chosen area before arrival.

The visitor center has exhibits, a theater, a bookstore, and Junior Ranger activities. Ask staff about the access arrangements your visit requires.

Special boat-ramp parking permits can shorten the distance to docks for eligible visitors displaying a disability placard or plate. Obtain the park's ramp-parking permit from the visitor center and display it together with your disability placard or plate. These spaces depend on water levels and availability. The exposed ramp surface is steep and is not graded to ADA standards; a parking permit does not make the route level or reopen a closed ramp.

About Amistad National Recreation Area

A reservoir landscape with older cultural places

The National Park Service manages the U.S. reservoir area. The surrounding Lower Pecos region records thousands of years of human life. Rock paintings in shelters preserve part of that history; their protection matters as much as the opportunity to see them.

Desert mammals and migratory visitors

White-tailed deer, rabbits, jackrabbits, and porcupines occur in the area. Its position between regions also supports birds such as great kiskadees and green kingfishers. Monarch butterflies pass through during the fall migration. Watch without feeding or approaching wildlife.

Contact Amistad National Recreation Area

Call 830-775-7491 for park planning and access questions. The NPS mailing address is 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840. Describe the particular launch, campground, or rock-art destination when asking about conditions.