Spot some 300 or more bird species in this serene 760-acre park, which is headquarters for the World Birding Center. Much of the park surrounds several resacas – water-filled former river channels that support lush foliage. The visitor center has excellent trail guides and many bird books. You can rent binoculars and inquire about special programs like bird walks and tram tours.
The site is good for bikes (per day $5 to $12), which make getting to key attractions, like the 1.8-mile Rio Grande loop trail, easy. The park's 10 widely spaced tent sites (per site $12) rarely fill up and have water. Surrounded by thorny brush and shaded by trees, the pastoral experience is described as 'waking up with the birds.' The neighboring Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort is part of a growing retirement village.
To get here, take the Bentsen Palm Dr (FM 2062) off Business US 83, 3 miles west of Mission. Drive south 5 miles to the park.
