Amistad National Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amistad National Recreation Area |
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Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge over Amistad Reservoir
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 Amistad National Recreation Area
Location in Texas
Amistad National Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Val Verde County, Texas, USA |
| Nearest city | Del Rio, Texas |
| Area | 58,500 acres (237 km2) |
| Established | November 11, 1965 |
| Visitors | 1,367,502 (in 2012) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Amistad National Recreation Area |
Amistad National Recreation Area is a special outdoor area in Texas, managed by the National Park Service. It includes the beautiful Amistad Reservoir. This large lake is where three rivers meet: the Rio Grande, the Devils River, and the Pecos River. It's located near the city of Del Rio in Val Verde County.
The Amistad Reservoir was made by the Amistad Dam, which was finished in 1969. This dam is on the Rio Grande river, right at the border between the United States and Mexico. Across the border is the Mexican city of Ciudad Acuña. The word "Amistad" means "friendship" in Spanish. It shows the strong connection between Ciudad Acuña and Del Rio.
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Fun Things to Do
Amistad National Recreation Area is a great place for outdoor fun all year round. The big lake is perfect for many water activities.
Water Adventures
- Boating: You can enjoy boating on the lake.
- Fishing: It's a popular spot for fishing.
- Swimming: Take a dip and cool off in the water.
- Scuba Diving: If you like exploring underwater, you can go scuba diving.
- Water-skiing: Have fun gliding across the water on skis.
You can even rent houseboats and other boat equipment from companies that work with the park.
Land Activities
Besides water fun, there are many things to do on land:
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors with family and friends.
- Hiking: Explore the trails and see the nature.
- Camping: Spend a night under the stars.
The area also has a lot of interesting history. You can find ancient rock art and learn about the plants and animals that live here. In the fall, thousands of monarch butterflies fly through Amistad. They are on a long journey of 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from Canada to Mexico.
Hunting Rules
Hunting is allowed in certain parts of Amistad National Recreation Area. This is done according to state and federal laws.
- You can hunt animals like white-tailed deer, javelina, turkey, rabbit, and feral hog.
- Bow-hunting is allowed at certain times of the year.
- Shotguns can be used to hunt dove, quail, duck, and rabbit.
- Rifles and handguns are not allowed for hunting here.
Exploring Underwater Caves
There are deep underwater caves beneath the reservoir. Only very experienced scuba divers explore these caves. It requires special gas mixes and a lot of training. These dives are considered very dangerous. They should only be attempted by people with extensive training and preparation.
How Amistad Became a National Recreation Area
The National Park Service first started looking after this area in 1965. It was called the Amistad Recreation Area back then. They worked with another group called the International Boundary and Water Commission. Later, on November 28, 1990, Amistad officially became a national recreation area. This means it is now a full park unit managed by the National Park Service.
Gallery
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Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) near the reservoir
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Panther petroglyph located in Panther Cave jointly managed with Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
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Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) roosting in the fall on their migration south to Mexico
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See also
In Spanish: Área recreativa nacional Amistad para niños
