Resaca de la Palma State Park & World Birding Center

About

Resaca de la Palma State Park is one of three state parks belonging to the World Birding Center and managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. At 1,200 acres, Resaca de la Palma State Park is the largest of the World Birding Center sites. The property was acquired by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1977 and was opened to the public in December 2008. It is naturally cut off from the river, having no inlet or outlet.

Things to Do

As part of the World Birding Center, Brownsville’s Resaca de la Palma boasts the largest tract of native habitat in the World Birding Center network. Etched by ancient curves of the Rio Grande, its 1,200 semi-tropical acres provide a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of an international urban center only a few miles away. Through the cooperation of local and federal land management agencies, a wilderness preserved from days gone by is open to nature adventurers for the first time.

The World Birding Center visitors center is the portal to over eight miles of trails, four decks that overlook the four miles of resaca, and a 2.76-mile tram loop that winds through the park. Tram tours are available, please contact our Visitor Center for the schedule. Visitors need to park in the parking lot; private vehicles are not allowed within the park. Resaca’s many trails can be accessed by tram, hiking, biking or walking.

Take a virtual tour with our interactive trails map.

Equipment Rentals

The Texas State Park Store "Sabal" offers a variety of field guides and books, plus shirts, hats, and a great variety of gift items. Need a snack? The Sabal offers a good selection of cold beverages, snacks and ice cream. The store also rents the following equipment for use at the park.

• Bicycles: regular, children's, and trikes:  $5 - $8 per day
• Binoculars:  $3 per day