Trails Information
Experience the wild side of the Rio Grande Valley with its beautiful and rugged native plants and animals.
Immerse yourself in the forests of the Rio Grande floodplain. Walk, bike or ride the shuttle to discover all the life this place has to show you. Some of the plants and animals you see here live nowhere else in the United States. Learn more about them at the Nature Center on your way in or by attending a program or tour.
Trails
Biking is allowed on paved trails and roads, only.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
| Old Park Roads | 3.8 mi. | 2 hrs. (all roads combined) | Easy | Park Road 43, Kingfisher Corridor, Acacia Loop, Roadrunner Crossing, Mesquite Lane and Pauraque Way are former roads through the park that no longer have traffic. They're a safe, accessible way to see the park. Ask about our tram schedule for a way to explore in comfort. |
| Resaca Vieja Trail | 1.3 mi. | 45 min. to 1 hr. | Easy to moderate | Take this trail to walk one of the more diverse plant communities in the park. More plant diversity means more animal diversity, so keep your eyes peeled! |
| Green Jay Trail | 0.3 mi.. | 20 min. | Easy | Walk along the resaca to see what's using its banks as refuge. This also provides good looks at some of the animals that prefer more open areas, like wild turkeys. |
| Kiskadee Trail | 0.3 mi. | 20 min. | Easy | Hike this trail and around Acacia Loop to see what you can find in the old campground. Be sure to check the bird blind and some water features in the area. |
| Rio Grande Trail | 1.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Easy to Moderate | The longest trail in the park provides a truly off-grid experience. Stop at the Hawk Tower to get a great view but then walk through a secluded forest that not many people take the time to see. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
| Headquarters Gardens | 26.1855° | -98.3797° | Take an up-close look at the plants of the Rio Grande Valley and the birds and other animals that rely on them. |
| Nature Center | 26.1837° | -98.3806° | Come on in to learn more about your park, and the plants and animals that live here. |
| Ebony Grove | 26.1792° | -98.3840° | Experience the beauty of the ebony trees that made this park so special to the Bentsens. |
| Kingfisher Overlook | 26.1787° | -98.3869° | Catch a breeze off the resaca, cast a line in the water, or look for the birds and dragonflies that use the water here. |
| Hawk Tower | 26.1690° | -98.3805° | Get a 360-degree view of the park from above. Look for soaring raptors or flycatchers perched in the treetops. |
Staying safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you're on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you'll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Bike safely. Check with park headquarters to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a fall.
Trail etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don't disturb or remove any of the park's plans, animals or artifacts.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
