Amistad National Recreation Area

The sun sets over the Amistad Reservoir on the Rio Grande.

This recreation area is administered by both the United States and Mexico.

An aerial view of the Amistad reservoir on the Rio Grande.

The waters of the Rio Grande run clear and blue in this international recreation area straddling the U.S.-Mexican border.

The area is popular for water sports, including scuba diving, swimming, water skiing and boating.

The upper reaches of the Amistad reservoir are bounded by steep limestone canyons, some rising 200 feet. The lower reaches have small hills and diverse plant and animal life, from scorpions and cactus to mesquite and golden eagles.

The reservoir has plentiful stocks of largemouth bass, catfish and shad. Boaters can put in at four major boat ramps, some of which offer rentals. Other ramps are available depending on lake levels.

The National Park Service operates four primitive campgrounds, with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Backcountry camping from boats is permitted along the shore.

Fees are charged for camping and boat use.

Rich archaeological records of human habitation are visible along the reservoir's 850-mile shoreline, including some of North America's oldest rock art sites. Access to these sites is by boat only. One site, Panther Cave, is on state-owned land; the others are on private land.

Hunting is allowed within designated areas during specified seasons for such game as deer, dove, quail, turkey, rabbit, waterfowl, javelina and mouflon sheep. A National Park Service permit is required and special regulations apply.

The park is visited by 1.5 million visitors annually and covers 57,000 acres.

No passports are required from U.S. citizens who visit the Mexican areas of the park, however a Mexican boating and fishing license is required if fishing on the Mexican side.