At the geographic center of the World Birding Center network, Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco attracts a spectacular array of South Texas wildlife with its varied landscape of shallow lake, woodlands and thorn forest. Even beginning birders and nature lovers will enjoy exploring this 230 plus-acre refuge, which is convenient to all the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
The park has a Visitor Center with a Texas State Parks Store "Humedales Alegres." There is a wildlife-viewing deck, boardwalks, an observation deck, and over five miles of trails. There is also a class/meeting room and a pavilion that can be rented.
Large groups can be accommodated for day or overnight in the the newly-acquired Camp Thicket. Located in a private area on one of the oldest remnants of mature Tamaulipan Thorn Forest left in the Rio Grande Valley. It has a large chapel, an outdoor pavilion, a nature trail, and two separate meeting and overnight facilities (the South Complex and the North Complex)
The South Complex is composed of one large building with six bedrooms including five bunk beds in each room. Each room has a bathroom with showers. There is a large kitchen and meeting space. It has a large barbecue pit and ice machine.
The North Complex consists of individual bunk houses, two separate shower houses, a recreation hall with kitchen and dining hall or meeting space. It also has a large barbecue pit.
