Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

History

The park had its beginnings on January 28, 1944, when the parents of Senator Lloyd Bentsen, Lloyd M. Bentsen Sr. and his wife Edna Ruth Bentsen, along with Elmer and Marie Bentsen, donated 586 acre of land to the State Parks Board for a nature habitat. The park currently encompasses 764 acre

The park has become a prime area for bird watching and butterfly watching. When the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park became the headquarters of the World Birding Center's network of nine sites in 2004, vehicular traffic was banned and RV camping was no longer allowed in the park. The other sites, all located in south Texas, include Edinburg Scenic Wetlands; Harlingen Arroyo Colorado, Resaca de la Palma State Park, Roma Bluffs, Quinta Mazatlan, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Nature Park, Estero Llano Grande State Park, South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. More than 325 species of birds, and more than 250 species of butterflies have been noted in the Bentsen park. The park is popular to butterfly watchers. The North American Butterfly Association operates the National Butterfly Center adjacent to the park.

Facilities, hours, admission

Entrance fee

The park is open year-round. Park tram available

Y Cafe, Texas State Parks Store

Exhibits, hiking trail, cycling, birdwatching, butterfly watching, picnicking, tent camping, meeting facilities

References

References

1. {{cite gnis. 1330434. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. January 7, 2013
2. "Texas State Parks: Natural Economic Assets". Window on State Government.
3. "THC Bentsen Rio Grande". Texas Historical Commission.
4. Behrens, Tom. (2009). "Camping Texas: A Comprehensive Guide to More Than 200 Campgrounds". Globe Pequot Press.
5. Parent, Laurence. (2008). "Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: Revised Edition". University of Texas Press.
6. Carville, D. J.. (June 2003). "Edinburg launches the first site of the World Birding Center". Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.
7. Combs, Susan. "State Park Profiles". State of Texas.
8. Bahamón, Alejandro. (2008). "Inspired by Nature: Plants: The Building/Botany Connection". W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
9. "North American Butterfly Association". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
10. "National Butterfly Center". National Butterfly Association.