Welcome to Resaca De La PalmaBrownsville’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 1200 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 & federal land management agencies, a wilderness preserved from days gone by is open to nature adventurers for the first time.
Long before humans recorded its work, the Rio Grande was shaping Resaca de la Palma. Abandoned coils of river bed, known locally as resacas, create wildlife-attracting ponds here when full. Along the natural levees of these shallow ponds are dense stands of banco woodlands and marsh vegetation. Elsewhere, drier Tamaulipan thorn woodlands include classic mesquite and anacahuita.
Our BirdsResaca de la Palma promises to be an especially rich birding environment. Colorful neo-tropical and nearctic migrants — like the Summer Tanager, American Redstart, and Yellow-breasted Chat – have been noted here more often and in higher numbers. When resaca levels are controlled for the benefit of wildlife, species like the Least Grebe, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Purple Gallinule and various herons, as well as migrating waterfowl in their seasons, should also congregate here. The property’s dense ground-level vegetation is especially attractive to species like the Olive Sparrow, Long-billed Thrasher and White-eyed Vireo, along with all the “Valley specialties.”
Check with the World Birding Center for guided tours of this property.
Click on Bird Icon above to navigate to desired flyway destination!
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Visit Us
Physical Address Resaca de la Palma State Park 1000 New Carmen Blvd. (off Hwy. 281 or FM 1732) Brownsville, TX 78521 Mailing Address
Phone: 956-350-2920
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Hours Visitors Center: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission
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- Bentsen-Rio Grande (Mission)
- Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
- Estero Llano Grande (Weslaco)
- Harlingen Arroyo Colorado
- Old Hidalgo Pumphouse
- Quinta Mazatlan (McAllen)
- Resaca de la Palma (Brownsville)
- Roma Bluffs
- South Padre Island Birding
and Nature Center
Calendar of Events
Click here to view our Calendar of Events.☞ Events & Programs Announcements
Bird Checklist
Resaca de la Palma Bird Checklist here.
Join Us
Volunteer opportunities available.Fill out online form here.
Butterfly Checklist
Find your Way
Resaca de la Palma Google map
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The World Birding Center visitors’ center is the portal to over 6 miles of trails, 4 decks that overlook the 4 miles of resaca, and a 3.2 mile tram loop that winds through the park, a tram leaves the visitor center every hour. 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.
- Resaca Observation Decks
- Butterfly Garden
- 6+ Miles of Trail Systems
- Tram Tour & Bicycle Trails
- 1,200 Acres of Wildlife Viewing
- Meeting Space & Gift Shop
- Bicycles: regular, children's tandems and trikes - $5.00- $12.00 / Day
- Binoculars: $3.00 / Day
- Meeting Room: $150.00 / Day
- Bird Walk: Saturdays 8:30 a.m.
- Butterfly Walk: Sundays 1:30 p.m.
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