Amistad National Recreation Area

10/14/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1059.81 0.03 up from yesterday morning (1059.78 ft), up 0.13 from last week (1059.68 ft) and up 3.35 feet from a month ago (1056.46 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Blue sky photo with bridge and highway in background and brown and green vegetation

10/07/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.67 up 0.06 from yesterday morning (1056.61 ft), up 0.04 from last week (1056.63 ft) and up 0.10 feet from a month ago (1056.57 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of dock with boaters launching boats with bridge in background and green vegetation

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/30/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.59 up 0.07 from yesterday morning (1056.52 ft), up 0.24 from last week (1056.35 ft) and down 0.12 feet from a month ago (1056.71 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of bridge in background against blue sky with trail marker and blooming vegetation

09/23/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of lake and bridge with red flowering plant

09/16/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.42 down 0.02 from yesterday morning (1056.44 ft), down 0.13 from last week (1056.55 ft) and down 0.38 feet from a month ago (1056.80 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of blue lake and skies with boat headed towards a bridge

09/09/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.56 the same from yesterday morning (1056.56 ft), down 0.09 from last week (1056.65 ft) and down 0.33 feet from a month ago (1056.89 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454
For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo by blue lake and blue sky with blooming plant

09/02/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.66 down 0.01 from yesterday morning (1056.67 ft), down 0.11 from last week (1056.77 ft) and down 0.25 feet from a month ago (1056.91 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of man standing fishing in a green kayak with blue waters and sky facing the sandstone cliffs

08/29/2026

Junior Ranger Day at Amistad National Recreation Area on Sunday, August 30th from 8:00 a.m-4:30 p.m.

Come bring your family, get out of the heat, grab a book and learn about the park! You can explore with our Junior Ranger booklets on fishing, park explorer, eclipse, paleontology, and more. Just ask the rangers at the desk in the visitor center! Book completion earns you a badge.

Photo by NPS
Photo with Ranger in the background holding up different Junior Ranger Activity Books

08/26/2026

Water Watch Wednesday

This morning's lake level is 1056.78 up 0.01 from yesterday morning (1056.77 ft), the same from last week (1056.78 ft) and up 0.16 feet from a month ago (1056.62 ft).

The water is low and boaters should always be alert for hazards. Low-lying islands and shoals are present in many places. Polarized sunglasses can help you see submerged hazards through the water by reducing reflected glare.

Open ramps:
Diablo East (left side)
Rough Canyon (left side)
Spur 454

For more information on lake levels and boating in the park, visit https://www.nps.gov/amis/planyourvisit/boating.htm

NPS Photo
Photo of bridge across blue waters

08/20/2026

Daily and Annual Lake Passes now online

Visitors can now purchase an Annual and Daily Lake Use Passes online at pay.gov! Both Daily and Annual passes can be purchased using the pay.gov form titled Amistad NRA Annual Lake Use Pass.

To receive an Annual Lake Use Pass Sticker, an email confirmation receipt (either printed or electronic) must be presented at the Amistad National Recreation Area Visitor Center within 30 days of purchase, or you can opt to have your pass mailed to you. Please contact 830-775-7491for additional information.

Photo by NPS/Austin Rogers
Entry sign at Diablo east with blue skies and clouds with purple flowers blooming

https://www.pay.gov/public/search/global?searchString=amistad+nra&formToken=51765a2c-1eae-4bd2-bb63-e4dd070221b1