Estero Llano Grande State Park

Rio Grande Valley


The geographic center of the World Birding Center properties in Texas, the 230 acres of reserve here are mostly wetlands and contain over 5 miles of hiking trails. It's one of the few Texas State Parks that doesn't allow camping.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rio Grande Valley attractions

1. Frontera Audubon

2.53 MILES

Despite the fact that it's only 15 acres and surrounded by the city, wandering the mile or so of nature trails through this well-conceived nature center…

2. Weslaco Museum

2.93 MILES

Informational displays and authentic artifacts help bring to life the long history of Weslaco and the Rio Grande Valley from the Native American and…

3. Villa de Cortez

3.06 MILES

Opened on New Year's Eve in 1928 as the Cortez Hotel, this four-story beauty was the first of what would becomes many Spanish Mediterranean–themed…

4. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

11.59 MILES

A self-proclaimed birder’s paradise, this 2088-acre refuge is one of the valley’s most beautiful spots. Lakes, wetlands and subtropical thorny forest…

5. Quinta Mazatlan

17.32 MILES

This 1930s Spanish Revival adobe hacienda is one of McAllen's best-preserved historic buildings. It also happens to be part of the World Birding Center,…

6. Museum of South Texas History

17.53 MILES

The Museum of South Texas History covers transborder history with interactive multimedia exhibits that take visitors through frontier ranch houses and on…

7. Arroyo Colorado

18.62 MILES

Merging two separately owned tracts of conservation land into a single 95-acre expanse, this reserve surrounding the namesake arroyo is part of the World…

8. Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum

19.04 MILES

Return to the days of Six-Shooter Junction at this modern facility, which combines several museums in one. An 1870s stagecoach inn recalls the hot, dusty…