Estero Llano Grande Puts Wetlands and Thorn Scrub Near Weslaco

On the east side of the county near Weslaco, Estero Llano Grande State Park trades farm fields for water and brush. Texas Parks and Wildlife says the park has wetlands, ponds, woodlands, and thorn scrub spread across more than five miles of trails, including stretches that are wheelchair accessible.

It is one of the Valley's best places to slow down and look. TPWD says about 340 bird species have been documented here, with boardwalks, bird blinds, and a wildlife deck that put visitors close to the water. The park is part of the World Birding Center, a set of Lower Rio Grande Valley sites that protect wildlife habitat.

For anyone who pictures Hidalgo County as only cities, highways, and citrus, Estero is the counterweight. Around Weslaco, the public outdoor story includes alligators, wading birds, and a park where the parking lot stays well back from the trails.