The 100-acre National Butterfly Center is the premier location in the United States to experience the beauty, drama, and emotion of wild butterflies. A project of the nonprofit North American Butterfly Association, the center is designed to attract incredible numbers of beautiful, wild butterflies. Clouds of butterflies may be found at the National Butterfly Center because, by planting thousands of plants that the butterflies need for nectar and for caterpillar growth, we have created an outdoor paradise that sustains large populations and hundreds of species of wild butterflies.
The multi-use facility includes eight fields and one championship field which meets the needs of various sports including soccer, football, rugby, and ultimate Frisbee as well as numerous community and special events including the annual McAllen Marathon. In addition to the fields, the park’s amenities include practice fields, lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, playground, water feature, concession area, and restroom facilities. A permit is required for use of this facility.
Sea Turtle, Inc. is open for visitors year round. A key part of our mission is to educate the public about sea turtles, our work and how to save these wonderful animals. We offer educational talks to any size group, ranging from individual families to large crowds.
We are the Rio Grande Valley’s premier destination for birdwatching. Our unique location on South Padre Island is the perfect place to observe the birds, butterflies, and natural wildlife in coastal South Texas. Visit us on South Padre Island, walk the bayfront boardwalks, take a birding tour and explore the natural life of the Rio Grande Valley.
History and nature meet on scenic bluffs above the Rio Grande, where the World Birding Center in Roma can be found on the old plaza of a once-thriving steamboat port. Part of a national historic district, the WBC Roma Bluffs includes a riverside nature area of three acres: The gateway to unforgettable birding adventures across Starr County.
Brownsville’s Resaca de la Palma boasts the largest tract of native habitat in the World Birding Center network. Visitors can enjoy over 8 miles of off-road trails, four observation decks that overlook four miles of resaca wetland, and a 2.76-mile paved loop by tram, hiking and biking. Bikes, binoculars, and Explorer Packs are available for rent.
The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agricultural powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, which also embraces nature conservation as a wing of the World Birding Center. Visitors to this museum on the Rio Grande can learn about the steam-driven irrigation pumps that transformed Hidalgo County into a year-round farming phenomenon. They also can wander the museum’s grounds, where hummingbird gardens are planned, and where many of the Valley’s amazing bird species are regular visitors as well.
Estero Llano Grande in Weslaco attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its varied landscape of shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forest. Even beginning birders and nature lovers will enjoy exploring this 230 plus-acre refuge, which is convenient to all the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Center is a great place to begin a south Texas nature adventure. Guided tours offer our visitors a chance to see wildlife in their natural habitats. Special programs for teachers, students and young naturalists are available as well as citizen science projects such as Hawk Watch and the Christmas Bird Count. Make sure to check our program calendar for special events and workshops scheduled throughout the year.
Boca Chica State Park is located near Brownsville in southeastern Cameron County, Texas. Boca Chica is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, as is Brazos (Santiago) Island.
Amenities include the 1-mile Harlingen Hometown Heroes trail with handicap accessible exercise equipment, 47 acres, 18 lit tennis courts with pro shop (HEB Tennis Center), Veterans Memorial, Pendleton Pool, park pavilion, barbecue pit, 6 little league baseball fields, scenic pond with fountain, picnic tables, restrooms, playgrounds, and a basketball court.
Park amenities include a 1-mile walking trail, 80 acres, 4 lit softball fields, 2 soccer fields, fishing pong and pier, 2 basketball courts, handicap-accessible playground, covered picnic shelters, park pavilion, barbecue pit, and restrooms.
Park amenities include a 1.5 walking trail, 54 acres of wooded park land, nature trails, observation blind overlooking the Arroyo Colorado, restrooms, and a covered picnic area.
This Harlingen park has 9 acres, an inclusive//handicap accessible playground, a covered picnic shelter, and access to the Arroyo Hike & Bike trail.
This natural preserved park serves as a buffer between the rapidly growing, mostly residential west side of Brownsville and the Rio Grande River East – West Natural Corridor system. It has a 21-hole disc golf course, as well as a beginner level 7-mile single track mountain bike/running/hiking course.
- 10 Full-Sized Lighted Multi-Sports Fields
- 5 Full-Sized Lighted Softball Baseball Fields
- 5 Sand Volleyball Courts
- 3 Outdoor Basketball Courts
- 2 Lakes (.75 acre North & 5 acre South)
- 1 Full-Sized Lighted Multi-Sports Turf Field
- 1 BMX Bike & RC Dirt Track
- 1 Skate Park Concrete Bowl (16,000 ft)
- 1 Walking/Jogging Asphalt Trail (2.5 miles)
- 1 Playground Area
Morningside Park features 41 acres and consists of baseball fields, kickball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds, and pavilions. This park is a major destination for recreational sports. It also has a waterfront boardwalk perfect for bird-watching.
This spot in South McAllen has everything! It’s located at the Palmview Community Center, so there’s a branch library, gym, as well as the outdoor facilities. The splash pad is very interactive, and has restrooms and picnic tables with shade. It’s also a summer meals location through the McAllen ISD summer feeding program. The playground is perfect for kids 5-12. There are some high slides and steep drops for the little ones. There’s also a walking path, exercise equipment, basketball court and skate park.
Bill Schupp Park is a great park for any age! It has an outer fitness trail, multiple playgrounds, bathrooms, picnic tables and shade trees.