Rio Grande Wildlife Tour
By T Rowe · Apr 8, 2026 · 4 days · 7 places
TueMay 5
Choke Canyon State Park
State park · ★ 4.4 (1,289)
- 8:00 AM depart 24034 Seven Winds (San Antonio)
- Drive ~1h45 to Three Rivers area for a leg-stretch + wildlife break at Choke Canyon State Park
- Continue south in 1.5 2h chunks (plan a quick gas/coffee stop around Falfurrias/Encino area)
- Arrive McAllen/Weslaco area mid/late afternoon; easy evening + prep for early birding
WedMay 6
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · ★ 4.7 (1,440)
Estero Llano Grande State Park
State park · ★ 4.8 (852)
- Early morning birding at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (best light + most activity)
- Midday rest/siesta (RGV heat tends to ramp up)
- Late afternoon/evening: wetlands boardwalks + easy walking at Estero Llano Grande State Park
ThuMay 7
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
State park · ★ 4.6 (738)
Activity
South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center
Non profit organization · ★ 4.8 (2,585)
- Sunrise birding at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
- Mid-morning: quick stop at Quinta Mazatlan (easy woodland birding close to town)
- Afternoon drive to South Padre Island for the night (break the drive into ~1.5–2h chunks; good stretch stop around Harlingen/San Benito)
- Evening option: golden-hour boardwalk birding at South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center
- Overnight: South Padre Island
FriMay 8
South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center
Non profit organization · ★ 4.8 (2,585)Sea Turtle, Inc.
Pet care · ★ 4.7 (6,365)
- Early morning: revisit South Padre Island Birding And Nature Center for best activity/light
- Late morning: stop at Sea Turtle, Inc. (rescue/education)
- Start drive back to San Antonio with 2-hour breaks (good stretch/lunch stop around Kingsville or Three Rivers)
- Target arrival back in San Antonio by midday
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