Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

08/27/2026

Swallow-tailed Kite spotted soaring over Bentsen!

Our blurry photo isn't doing justice, but we promise the raptor is much more impressive in person 😅

These migratory birds are long distant migrants traveling thousands of miles from the U.S. to South America. With their light-colored bodies contrasted against black wings, graceful glided flight, and pronounced forked tail they are almost unmistakable!

And just in time for Hawk Watch! 🦅

Thousands of migrating raptors will be making their way through the RGV and we'll be doing our part to keep count with our annual Hawk Watch returning in September!

Bentsen’s annual Hawk Watch contributes to Hawk Count, a long-term effort by the Hawk Migration Association of North America—the largest standardized raptor migration monitoring network in the world!

Learn more here: https://www.hawkcount.org/, https://www.hawkmigration.org/

08/20/2026

Uncommon visitor at Bentsen 🦋👀

A Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus) recently made an appearance at the park!

These striking butterflies have orange wings, 3 black line markings, and "dagger-like" tails. Their range spans from Brazil through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to southern Florida with some straying away north to Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and... South Texas!

The RGV is gem of biodiversity and safe haven for many visiting wildlife. Keep your eyes open while on the trails - you never know what unexpected wildlife you might discover next!

P.S. - How beautiful are those Anacua flowers in full bloom! 🐝

08/18/2026

08/15/2026

Shoutout to Ranger Serenity for bringing our pond at HQ back to life!!! 🌱🦋🐿️🦃

Water is essential for wildlife and within the first few days of being refilled both animals and guests took notice! Checkout all the critters that stopped by for a drink!

08/13/2026

💫2026 PERSEID METEOR SHOWER💫

Tonight's the night! The Perseid Meteor Shower is reaching its peak!

Here's how to watch:

1.) Find a dark spot away from city lights
2.) Let your eyes adjust to the dark (avoid screens/artificial light 30 minutes before stargazing)
3.) Get comfortable, look up, and enjoy!

The best times to watch will range from 10pm to early dawn with up 100 meteors per hour!! Happy stargazing!!! ☄️☄️☄️

08/13/2026

EN VIVO DESDE BENTSEN!!!🎥

Gracias Telemundo 40 por acompañarnos en un recorrido por Bentsen RGV SP! Su apoyo continuo ayuda a conectar a nuestra comunidad con la naturaleza e inspira a otros a explorar nuestros parques🌱

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LIVE AT BENTSEN!!!🎥

Thank you Telemundo 40 for joining us on a tour of
Bentsen RGV SP! Your continued support helps connect our community with nature and inspires others to explore our parks🌱

08/12/2026

✨ Join us for Wild Wellness ✨

📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
⏰ 9:00AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park

Start your day with a peaceful morning designed to ground, restore, and reconnect with nature. Enjoy grounding, yoga, and sound healing with special guests Dance Instructor Jessy Rodriguez and owner of Pure in Simple Mayela Cadena to learn about plant extracts! 🍃🧘‍♀️☕

To RSVP your spot or for more information, please call (956) 584-9156

08/11/2026

Exploring the park in style! 🚌

Our Nature Tram Tours are a great way to discover Bentsen. Participants can expect to learn about the history, natural resources, and wildlife of the area from the comfort of our open-air tram shuttles. We offer morning and evening tours every month!

Our next tours are happening:

🌞 Morning Tram Tours 🌞
Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 9:00am
Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 9:00am
Saturday, August 29, 2026 @ 9:00am

🌙 Evening Tram Tours 🌙
Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Friday, August 28, 2026 @ 6:00pm

Limited space available. To RSVP your spot or for more information, please call (956) 584-9156. Stay tuned for upcoming tour dates and come roll with us on the next adventure!

08/07/2026

Chachalaca family hanging around our La Familia Nature Center 🤎

Plain Chachalacas are communal birds that live in large family groups with paired adults and offspring. Known for their loud "CHA-CHA-LAC" calls heard from treetops early mornings and evenings these tropical chicken-like birds are an RGV specialty. Found in southernmost Texas to northern Costa Rica, they prefer subtropical environments with brushy habitat. Chachalaca chicks are precocial birds (young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth) and once fledged (have feathers and are capable of flight) they will remain with parents, following along close by learning at their feet 🪺

Young Chachalacas will have a dark "racing stripe" marking running down the top of their heads that will fade as they mature. Keep an eye out for baby chachalacas next time you're at the park!

08/06/2026

Are you ready for hunting season? 🦌 Get certified!

📅 August 15, 2026 (Saturday)
📍 Bentsen State Park, 2800 Bentsen Palm Dr. Mission, TX. 78572
🕘 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
🎟 Student Fee: $15.00 (Cash Only)

Classroom course only, this course is 6 hours of basic instruction in firearm and hunting safety, legal and ethical hunting practices, nomenclature and a final exam. Certification is good for life. Texas certification is honored by other states and provinces requiring hunter education

TPWD Volunteer Instructor: Fernando Rocha (956) 457-5418

Registration: USE QR CODE or visit https://tpwd.elementlms.com/course/hunter-education-classroom-course-13015/

(Students must pre-register for the course prior to attending)