Considering Texas is the second-largest state in the nation, it only makes sense that every corner would be chock-full of hidden gems. Tucked away along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley is no exception. This remote, often overlooked region is a nature lover’s paradise, and we’re taking you on a 3.5-hour road trip to six of the best spots to visit! Come see why these hidden gems of the Rio Grande Valley are so wonderous:

Click here for the Google Map that will serve as your guide on the trip.

Google Maps
1. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Mission)
2800 S Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission, TX 78572, USA
TripAdvisor/St_Matty
The headquarters for the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park straddles the border between the U.S. and Mexico. It's situated along a historic, 120-mile river road and features seven miles of multi-use trails that meander through the dense f
2. National Butterfly Center (Mission)
3333 Butterfly Park, Mission, TX 78572, USA
TripAdvisor/Janice J.
Just down the road is the National Butterfly Center, an outdoor conservatory dedicated to preserving the 340 species of butterflies found in the Rio Grande Valley. The center focuses on habitat restoration, or planting crops known to attract butterflies and host caterpillars. This process has also attracted rare birds that don't exist anywhere else in the lower 48! On a typical day, visitors can expect to see about 60 different butterfly species.

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3. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (Alamo)
3325 Green Jay Road, Alamo, TX 78516, USA
Google/Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge spans over 2,000 acres of the lush and fertile Rio Grande Valley. Established in 1943 to help protect migratory birds, the refuge has a unique location at the intersection of four different ecological regions: subtropical wetlands, Chihuahuan Desert, Gulf Coast, and Great Plains. Many trails wind through the park, showcasing a vast array of wildlife in addition to sweeping panoramic views of the vast surrounding landscape.
4. Boca Chica State Park (Brownsville)
Boca Chica Boulevard, Boca Chica Blvd, Brownsville, TX, USA
TripAdvisor/MKJ
Often overlooked because it's so far down in South Texas, Boca Chica State Park boasts over 1,000 acres of white sandy beaches. Due to the remote location, you'll come across far fewer people than you would at, say, nearby South Padre. Swim, birdwatch, camp, fish, or surf - the possibilities are endless! Oh, and make sure to bring a bucket for collecting seashells, as the beach is absolutely covered in them.
5. Largest Outdoor Sandcastle in the USA (South Padre Island)
610 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
TripAdvisor/CTanner68
Heading north into South Padre, our trip brings us to the largest outdoor sandcastle in the entire U.S. Built by sand artist Andy Hancock, the beachy monolith weighs in at a whopping 150 tons. The whole family will have a blast admiring all the intricacies of this oceanfront masterpiece.
6. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (Buena Vista)
22688 Buena Vista Blvd, Los Fresnos, TX 78566, USA
Google/James Langston
Last - but certainly not least - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is the largest protected area of natural habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (98,000 acres!) It's a world-famous birding destination and features a mixture of wildlife not found anywhere else due to its blend of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and desert habitats. Come fish, hike, hang out on the beach, or all of the above at this little slice of paradise many don't even know exists.

How many of these hidden gems have you visited? Would you take this road trip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, and check out our previous article to learn more about Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park!

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More to Explore

Hidden Gems of the Rio Grande

Tori Jane | May 28, 2022

What are some delightful Rio Grande hidden gems?  

The Rio Grande Valley is almost a hidden gem in and of itself, but this hidden gem is home to many more hidden gems nestled within! Check out Port Isabel for some world-class shopping and a stunning lighthouse that’s sure to enchant. South Padre Island in Texas is worthy of a tropical vacation at least once, and the town of Weslaco is home to parks galore and plenty of vibrant history. Roma is a hidden gem in the Rio Grande Valley and serves as the last stop for steamboats on the Rio Bravo.  

Are there any quirky Texas hidden gems I can visit?  

There are so many quirky Texas hidden gems that you may not even know where to begin! After all, with a square mileage of more than 200,000 miles, Texas isn’t exactly the smallest place. Well, we happen to know about all kinds of fun, interesting or otherwise quirky Texas hidden gems just waiting for you to visit. Check out the town of Brownsville for the Boca Chica Park and Beach, a stunningly beautiful slice of Boca Chica State Park on the Boca Chica sub-delta of the Rio Grande. The town of Marfa is a delightful hidden gem for artists and paranormal enthusiasts alike, as it’s a hub for local arts and said to be haunted...by UFOs.  

What are some of the most beautiful hidden gems in Texas?  

Enough of the strange hidden gems in Texas, what are some beautiful hidden gems in Texas, we hear you ask. Well, we’re glad you asked because we have many favorites. Among our picks for some lesser-known beautiful places in Texas are places like Hueco Tanks State Park, tucked away in El Paso County. The geography and geology of the park are quite interesting, and it makes for an unusual slice of the Texas landscape. The Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is another favorite scenic hidden gem in Texas, complete with a waterfall and surrounded by beautiful forest west of Austin.  

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