Considering Texas is the second-largest state in the nation, it only makes sense that every corner would be chock-full of hidden gems. Tucked away along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley is no exception. This remote, often overlooked region is a nature lover's paradise, and we're taking you on a 3.5-hour road trip to six of the best spots to visit! Come see why these hidden gems of the Rio Grande Valley are so wonderous:
Click here for the Google Map that will serve as your guide on the trip.
1. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Mission)
The headquarters for the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park straddles the border between the U.S. and Mexico. It's situated along a historic, 120-mile river road and features seven miles of multi-use trails that meander through the dense f
2. National Butterfly Center (Mission)
Just down the road is the National Butterfly Center, an outdoor conservatory dedicated to preserving the 340 species of butterflies found in the Rio Grande Valley. The center focuses on habitat restoration, or planting crops known to attract butterflies and host caterpillars. This process has also attracted rare birds that don't exist anywhere else in the lower 48! On a typical day, visitors can expect to see about 60 different butterfly species.
3. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (Alamo)
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge spans over 2,000 acres of the lush and fertile Rio Grande Valley. Established in 1943 to help protect migratory birds, the refuge has a unique location at the intersection of four different ecological regions: subtropical wetlands, Chihuahuan Desert, Gulf Coast, and Great Plains. Many trails wind through the park, showcasing a vast array of wildlife in addition to sweeping panoramic views of the vast surrounding landscape.
4. Boca Chica State Park (Brownsville)
Often overlooked because it's so far down in South Texas, Boca Chica State Park boasts over 1,000 acres of white sandy beaches. Due to the remote location, you'll come across far fewer people than you would at, say, nearby South Padre. Swim, birdwatch, camp, fish, or surf - the possibilities are endless! Oh, and make sure to bring a bucket for collecting seashells, as the beach is absolutely covered in them.
5. Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA (South Padre Island)
Heading north into South Padre, our trip brings us to the largest outdoor sandcastle in the entire U.S. Built by sand artist Andy Hancock, the beachy monolith weighs in at a whopping 150 tons. The whole family will have a blast admiring all the intricacies of this oceanfront masterpiece.
6. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Buena Vista)
Last - but certainly not least - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is the largest protected area of natural habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (98,000 acres!) It's a world-famous birding destination and features a mixture of wildlife not found anywhere else due to its blend of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and desert habitats. Come fish, hike, hang out on the beach, or all of the above at this little slice of paradise many don't even know exists.
How many of these hidden gems have you visited? Would you take this road trip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, and check out our previous article to learn more about Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park!
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