West Texas Places

Lake Amistad

In a West Texas/Mexico heat that sizzles, it's comforting to slip into the silken waters of Lake Amistad, or simply to picnic along the waters. Surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs that sheltered waves of prehistoric visitors, the lake is known for excellent fishing.

Like many things in the Del Rio/Acuña border area, the 89,000-acre Lake Amistad Reservoir was created by a cooperative effort between the United States and Mexico. In 1964, work began on a strong dam that corralled the mingled waters of the Rio Grande and the Devil's River—resulting in millions of feet of surface water and thousands of feet of visitors. The lake's name is a symbol of the two countries' cooperation and even fond regards; it mean "Friendship."

The lake is the focal point of the Lake Amistad National Recreation Area, located in a rich transition area between desert, shrub land, and plateau. And though the landscape looks hardscrabble, with its cacti and spiny plants, it's host to tons of signature wildlife like bristly porcupines, long-eared jackrabbits, ever-present deer, and an amazing variety of birds during the winter migration.

Nearby is Panther Cave, famous for its large, leaping-cat pictograph, and Parides Cave, an excellent place for rock-art viewing.