Devils River State Natural Area

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Devils River State Natural Area is a 37,000-acre protected area in Val Verde County, Texas, about 66 miles north of Del Rio. It includes three ecosystems: the Edwards Plateau, the Tamaulipan mezquital, and the Chihuahuan Desert. The land was purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1988.

History and culture:
- In 1857, John Bell Hood and a U.S. Cavalry force clashed with Comanche along the Devil’s River.
- In 1873, Captain Pat Dolan had a skirmish at Dolan Falls, the area’s highest-volume waterfall in Texas.
- The area was once home to the Comanche, Kiowa, and Kickapoo peoples.
- Fifty-three rock shelters hold red-painted pictographs dating to about 3000 B.C., including a “Buffalo dancer” image.

Nature:
- The river runs through canyons and supports wildlife such as the Mexican free-tailed bat.
- Plants include live oak, pecan, and sycamore trees.
- The area is remote and surrounded by private ranches.

Visiting:
- A three-day float on the river is possible, with no modern facilities.
- Campsites are available, but you should bring all needed supplies and take out everything you bring.