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Welcome
 At the geographic center of the World Birding Center network, Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its varied landscape of shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forest. Even beginning birders and nature lovers will enjoy exploring this 176-acre refuge, which is convenient to all the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
 The Land
Water is the magic ingredient for attracting wildlife, and Estero Llano Grande State Park offers something special as the largest wetlands environment in the World Birding Center network. A shallow lake, fringed with marsh cane, is actually part of the Arroyo Colorado. Classic Rio Grande woodlands add variety to a park that already boasts a well-deserved birding reputation. As part of extensive restoration plans, a former agricultural field has been transformed into wetlands, with an island just right for a secure nesting site.
 The Birds
Estero Llano Grande has a well-deserved reputation as a can’t-miss birding destination. In late summer, when water is at a premium, hundreds of waders and shorebirds flock here, including the endangered Wood Stork, along with colorful coastal species like the Roseate Spoonbill and Ibis. Migrating waterfowl also make a beeline for the park’s narrow, shallow lake. Elsewhere, woodland and thorn scrub harbor all the must-see Valley specialties such as the Groove-billed Ani and Altamira Oriole. Adding spice to this mix, visitors may even spot rare Red-crowned Parrots and Green Parakeets.
Learn & Discover
Check with the Visitor Center for guided tours of the park.
What’s Here
- Visitor Center
- Texas State Parks Store "Humedales Alegres"
- Viewing Deck
- Classroom/Meeting room
- Boardwalks
- Observation Deck
- Pavilion
- Water Features
- Over 3 miles of trails
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Visit Us
Address
Estero Llano Grande State Park
3301 S. International Blvd. (FM 1015)
Weslaco, Texas
Mailing Address:
Estero Llano Grande State Park
154A Lakeview Drive
Weslaco, Texas 78596
Phone: 956-565-3919
Fax: 956-565-2864
Rare Bird Alert
(956) 584-2731
Staff
Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Daily
Admission
Adults $4.00
Children 12 and under Free
Estero Llano Grande State Park is currently offering:
- School Programs – Contact Jennifer Owen-White for more information.
Information about School Group Programs ( PDF 758.9 KB)
Information about joint field trip opportunities with the Valley Nature Center ( PDF 1.5 MB)
- Guided Bird Walks – 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., every Wednesday and Saturday. Fee: Program is free with park entrance.
- Butterfly Walks – 1:30 p.m., every Friday. Join a park naturalist and observe the vast amounts of colorful butterflies that are attracted to the gardens in the park. Fee: Program is free with park entrance.
- Breakfast With the Birds – 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; Saturday, Sept. 20th, Oct. 18th, and Nov. 22nd. Come have breakfast on our magnificent covered deck situated right on one of our lakes. We will guarantee that you will see water birds as you sit and sip your morning coffee. The breakfast will be light so you will be comfortable walking afterwards. Following the breakfast, join a walking tour with one of our knowledgeable guides. Never been birding? This will be a wonderful way to start. Fee: $7 per person.
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Publications/Volunteering
Bird Checklist
Estero Llano Grande Bird Checklist
( PDF 186.2 KB)
Find Your Way
Estero Llano Grande Location Map
Join Us
Volunteer Opportunities
More About Our Facility
Facility Rentals:
Looking for somewhere new and exciting to have your next meeting or get together? Your friends, family and coworkers will be amazed when you have your next event at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Please call for more information on facility rentals.
Upcoming Events:
- Spooky Science Fest: Pirates of the Llano Grande – October 25, 2008, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Join us for the third annual Halloween Spooky Science Fest at Estero Llano Grande State Park. This year's theme is "Pirates of the Llano Grande" and you won't want to miss all of the swashbuckling fun! Join us for a mix of fun and learning as we explore how different wildlife on islands can be. Enjoy crafts, a kid's costume contest, night hikes, live animals, spooky stories, candy, science experiments, a treasure hunt and much, much more for the whole family! Fee: $5.00 adults, $2.00 children 12 and under.
- November 2008 Nature Photography Classes and Workshops:
Class/Workshop: Nature Photography –
Dates: One Friday evening and two Saturdays, all day: Orientation Friday, November 14, 7:00-8:00 pm, and classes Saturday, November 15, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Saturday, November 22, 7:00 am - 4 pm
Description: Two workshop-style, hands-on classes about nature photography
Cost: $275 total
Description: Back by popular demand, Ruth will conduct a workshop-style class that takes up
an orientation session Friday evening and two all-day Saturday sessions at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Classes are conducted in a workshop-style setting using a combination of photographing in the park and interactive classroom sessions. The actual workshop/class is held on Saturday mornings, but the first session is an orientation meeting set for Friday, November 14, at 7:00 pm, the evening before the first Saturday class. The regular classes take place on the following two Saturdays: November 15 and 22. Each Saturday morning, participants have special, early access to the park for their photography at 7:00 am, one hour earlier than the park opens to the general public. Each of the two Saturday classes takes place from 7:00 am - 4:00pm
- December 2008 Nature Photography Classes and Workshops
Mini Program: Hands-On Workshop with Classroom Session and Outdoors Photo Session "Photographing in our Natural World"
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Times: Choose from 10am to Noon or 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to attend.
Cost: $30 for either two-hour session. If a participant does not have a camera and wishes to use one of the park's digital cameras, the participant may pay an additional fee to rent a park camera. Note: renting a park camera involves a separate fee from cost of the class. Anyone using a park camera is responsible for the condition of the camera. Make rental arrangements directly through park staff.
Description: Ruth will conduct two separate, two-hour sessions for the park. Participants can choose the time that best fits their schedules. The mini workshop involves two hours total time. Anyone can register but the sessions are geared toward beginners. The sessions are intended to inspire and encourage participants to learn about and photograph what they see in the natural world. The first hour is spent in the park's modern classroom, which overlooks the park's wetlands. The fundamentals of scenic and nature photography and camera handling are discussed. Ruth demonstrates the use of camera and tripod. Employing the use of ethical techniques with no or low impact to the earth is emphasized. The second hour participants and Ruth move outdoors and take photographs within the park. Here Ruth assists participants in their photographic endeavors. If a participant rents one of the park's digital cameras, the participant is responsible for the camera. Additionally, the participant should bring his or her own device for the images made during the photo session. This may include CD, thumb or jump drive, external hard drive or other devices for images.
Reservations: Contact the park directly to sign up for any session. Call the park's office at (956)565-3919.
- Teacher Appreciation Day: December 13, 2008 (Saturday) - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. You do so much for our community, let us do something for you and your family! Just bring your school issued Teacher ID and enjoy:
- Free park admission for you and your immediate family (school ID required)
- Kid’s activities
- Information on school group programs and field trips
- Information on Project Wild
& Wild Aquatic teacher certification classes
- Wildlife and nature classroom activity ideas
- Information on individual and group volunteer opportunities
- Free educational materials, prizes and more!
- A wonderful park filled with wildlife to explore and enjoy!
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