Page 49 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2024-2025 Anzalduas Park Anzalduas Park, located on 96 acres of land fronting the Rio Grande River, is a favorite spot for picnickers. A boat-loading ramp and pier make water sports and fishing easily accessible. This is a good place for bird watchers, as there is a gray hawk that nests there all year round and lots of other species of birds. There is also a huge pavilion for special events and playgrounds for kids. The park is located on the Anzalduas Dam four miles south of Expressway 83 on FM 1016 and one mile east on FM 494, 6400 Anzalduas Dam Rd. The park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. There is no charge for admission to the park on weekdays, and $4 per vehicle on Saturdays and Sundays. For more info, please call (956) 585-5311. Brownsville Landfill One of the most exclusive locations in the United States to observe the Tamaulipas Crow is the Brownsville Sanitary Landfill, located at 9000 Ruben M Torres. Drive in and let the scale attendant know you are looking for the crow. The best chance of seeing the Tamaulipas Crow is during the Winter Season. Also look for the Ring-billed Herring and Laughing Gulls. The landfill is open Mondays through Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Falcon Lake Falcon International Reservoir, commonly called Falcon Lake, is located on the Rio Grande northwest of Roma. The 84,000 surface-acre reservoir is found in Starr and Zapata Counties and is known as a fisherman’s delight. It is an excellent fishing spot for multiple species such as bass, catfish, and alligator gar, and is regarded as being one of the state’s top bass fishing lakes nationwide. The water level can fluctuate during drought and wet conditions. There are multiple boat ramps including one at Falcon State Park. The lake is accessible from FM 2098 northwest of Roma at Falcon State Park. Falcon State Park Falcon State Park is a 572-acre park located northwest of Roma. This is a favorite destination to local and nonlocal fishermen, birdwatchers and butterfliers. The park is blanketed with native plants including mesquite, huisache, ebony, wild olive, cactus, black brush, and native grasses. The park offers overnight camping opportunities for Recreational Vehicles, primitive areas, A/C cabins, and shelters. There is a day use area with picnic tables, plus a three-mile nature hike trail that encircles the park, all within the scenic view of Falcon Lake. The park offers a butterfly garden that stays in bloom during the spring and fall and is host to a variety of butterflies and birds, perfect for butterfly and birdwatching. Park entrance is $3 per adult, $5 per adult during holidays, and free for 12 and under. All day area/overnight facilities have barbeque grills or fire rings. Water only campsites $10, water and electric $16, full hook-up water, electric, sewer $18, screen shelters $25, and A/C cabins $40. The park is located at 146 Park Rd. 46, Falcon Heights and FM 2098 off of Hwy 83. It is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year. For more information call (956) 848-5327 or visit www.tpwd. texas.gov/state-parks/falcon. Frontera Audubon Society Frontera Audubon Society (FAS) is an urban nature preserve on 15 acres in Weslaco that features bio-diverse thicket trails, wetlands, butterfly gardens, and a visitors’ center and gift shop. Also featured is the Texas Historic Landmark, the Skaggs House, a multi-purpose facility for cultural events and exhibitions. Over 170 kinds of butterflies and over 250 species of birds have been spotted here. FAS is home to species such as the Clay-colored Thrush, Great Kiskadee, Plain Chachalaca, Green Kingfisher, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Green Jay, and more. Located at 1101 S. Texas Blvd., the hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays. Regular admission is $5, Seniors are $4, children 12 and under are free, and students 13 and up are $3. For more information, call (956) 9683275, like Facebook.com/frontera.audubon, or visit the website at www.fronteraaudubon.org. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge With the refuge’s primary mission of providing habitat for wildlife, the approximately 120,000 acres provides for a wide diversity of species. Visitors can enjoy many birds, including Green Jays, Plain Chachalacas, Harris’ Hawks, White-tailed Hawks, Olive Sparrows, Altamira Orioles, and Aplomado Falcons. Fall and spring bring migratory songbirds and Peregrine Falcons, and winter is the time to see Sandhill Cranes, White-fronted Geese, Redhead Ducks, and many other waterfowl. Visitors can connect with na-
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