Trails Information
Information on the trails of Resaca de la Palma State Park.
The hidden treasure of South Texas
Welcome to Resaca de la Palma State Park! Lush woodlands of Texas ebony and anacua trees border the resaca, or oxbow lake, running through the park. Explore over 10 miles of nature trails or relax on the tram as it navigates through the well-preserved ecosystem. Make sure to stop by the Visitor Center to check out the gift shop and butterfly gardens. Tram rides are available Wednesday through Sunday. [en español]
Trails
All trails are multiuse unless indicated otherwise.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
| Ebony Trail | 0.2 mi. | 10 min. | Easy | The closest trail to the Visitor Center. This trail curves through old growth ebony-anacua woodlands. Observation deck and boardwalk at terminal end with plant signage along the way. Trailhead in back of Visitor Center. |
| Mesquite Trail | 0.6 mi. | 40 min. | Moderate | Curving through Tamaulipan thornscrub and revegetated grassland savannah. Trailhead off of tram loop. |
| Mexican Olive Trail | 0.3 mi. | 10 min. | Easy | This is an ADA-compliant trail; please do not use bicycles here. The trail leads to scenic observation Deck C. Trailhead off of Tram Loop. |
| North Mexican Olive Trail | 0.4 mi. | 10 min. | Easy | This trail is connected to the Mesquite and Mexican Olive trails and winds through a tepeguaje and mesquite habitat. |
| Kiskadee Trail | 0.06 mi. | 5 min. | Easy | Sugar hackberry and ebony woodlands line this trail leading to observation Deck A. Trailhead off of Tram Loop. |
| Flycatcher Trail | 1.2 mi. | 40 min. | Moderate | Loops through thornscrub/savannah. Trailhead off of Tram Loop. |
| Hog Trail | 0.2 mi. | 10 min. | Moderate | Take this trail from Flycatcher to access observation Deck D. |
| Coyote Trail | 0.4 mi. | 15 min. | Moderate | Trail with tight curves through ebony and mesquite woodland. |
| Hunter's Lane | 0.7 mi. | 35 min. | Moderate | Entrance to southern remote portions of our park. Use this trail to access Screwbean Alley and the Quail, White-winged Dove and Yellowthroat loops. |
| Quail Loop | 1.3 mi. | 45 min. | Moderate | Recommended biking loop that ventures through grasslands. This grail gives you a view to the northeast of the Brownsville reservoir, opportunity to view osprey and other birds of prey. |
| Yellowthroat Loop | 1.2 mi. | 45 min. | Easy | Recommended wildlife watching trail. Several habitats are represented, providing opportunities to see an array of wildlife. |
| Bobcat Lane | 1.3 mi. | 45 min. | Easy | Recommended biking trail. Bobcat borders the western edge of the park property, running along a levee. |
| Tram Loop | 2.8 mi. | 50 min. | Easy | Recommended easy trail. Paved loop meanders through the 1,200-acre park, crossing two bridges, with excellent viewing opportunities. Seven trailheads are located on the Tram Loop. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
| Ebony Trail | 25.9966° | -97.56844° | Explore this trail for plants that occur nowhere else in the United States. |
| 2nd Bridge | 25.9874° | -97.5644° | Stop at the resaca crossing and look for Altamira Orioles, Plain Chachalacas or Belted Kingfishers. |
| Hunter's Lane | 25.9757° | -97.5661° | Stop at the resaca crossing to observe White-faced Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills and Least Grebes. |
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 (32 oz.) of water per hour of activity. Bringing your furry-friend? Don't forget water for them, too!
- Tell others where you'll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet. When biking, always ride to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- You may not be able to connect. It's a good idea to take along a cell phone and GPS unit, but don't count on them.
- Potentially harmful plants and animals live here. You'll see them more easily if you stay on trails.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. 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. Help preserve nature. Leave all plants and animals in the park.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
- Use only your muscles. To protect park resources, no motor vehicles are allowed on the trails or tram loop.
