There are lots of top travel destinations in Texas, but one lesser-known area worth checking out is Del Rio. West of San Antonio, by about 150 miles, Del Rio is a border town on the U.S./Mexico border that offers outdoor recreation, lessons in local history, and some really tasty food. Just outside the city and within easy driving distances, you’ll find some excellent parks and natural areas too. Here are some top things to do in and around Del Rio, Texas.
Visit Whitehead Memorial Museum
What Is It?: The Whitehead Memorial Museum is an impressive nonprofit history museum for a town of Del Rio’s size and actually a small pioneer village in the middle of town.
Why Do It? If you want to get a sense of what the Del Rio region is all about, you can visit the indoor and outdoor displays that tell the story about who has lived here, the local arts, and the relevant natural and social sciences.
Good to Know: The museum is open from Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Depending on when you visit, you may also get to check out a local event, such as Oktoberfest, Día de los Muertos celebrations, and Christmas festivities.
Hike the Rio Grande and Canyon Rim Trail System
What Is It?: You can hike the Rio Grande and Canyon Rim Trail System by picking it up from Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site in nearby Comstock, which has about 10 miles of trails.
Why Do It?: It is one of the best places to go for a scenic hike. You can hike or bike along the rim next to the Rio Grande and also camp at one of the 46 campsites. There is ancient rock art to see and ranger-led programs that take you to the Fate Bell Shelter, Presa canyons, and upper canyons.
Good to Know: The moderate Rio Grande Grail is about six miles long, and the challenging Canyon Rim Trail is about 7.5 miles long. There is also a shorter ADA-accessible trail here with a bird viewing area and a short nature hike trail that’s great for kids.
Drink at the Oldest Winery in Texas
What Is It?: Val Verde Winery is the oldest continuously running winery in Texas, dating back to 1883.
Why Do It?: Visit this Del Rio winery for a tour and tasting to learn about the four generations of winemakers who have kept Del Rio on the winemaking map. You can try the Blanc du Bois, Tempranillo, Rose, Merlot, and other popular varietals.
Good to Know: Val Verde offers a wine club for members, a nice tasting room to enjoy a glass, and even space for weddings. Stop by on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
Go Mountain Biking
What Is It?: Texas’ rugged Texas terrain makes for good mountain biking.
Why Do It?: It’s also fun to go mountain biking in the Del Rio area because of the surroundings. You can also simply take a ride on dirt roads to explore the area at your own pace.
Good to Know: Devils River State Natural Area, Pista Amistad, and Parque Los Novillos are popular mountain biking destinations.
Explore Kickapoo Caverns State Park
What Is It?: Within less than an hour from Del Rio, you can reach Kickapoo Caverns State Park, which is a beautiful Texas state park with caves and trails to explore.
Why Do It?: Join a guided tour to see Kickapoo Cavern, as the entrance is prohibited in order to preserve the caves. The wild cave tours start every Saturday at 1 p.m. and last about three hours. It’s a moderately strenuous hike and definitely worth it to see the cave formations.
Good to Know: Bring two light sources and hiking boots. After your tour, you can take a hike on the Armadillo Lookout Trail for panoramic views of the park.
Kayak at Amistad National Recreation Area
What Is It?: Amistad National Recreation Area is also very close to Del Rio and a great place to get out on the water on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
Why Do It?: From the water, you can see steep canyons and wide-open water. Just be mindful that winds of 20 to 30 mph aren’t uncommon here. Other activities to do are swimming, viewing ancient rock art, hiking in the Diablo East area, birdwatching, and primitive camping.
Good to Know: There’s a visitor’s center here with a movie theater and exhibits to explore too.
Enjoy Delicious Mexican Food
What Is It?: Del Rio is home to some excellent authentic Mexican food, as it is so close to the Mexican border.
Why Do It?: You can stop by a local food truck for some tacos if you’re looking for casual fare or visit one of the town’s restaurants to treat your taste buds.
Good to Know: Top Mexican spots here include Chinto’s Mexican Restaurant, Julio’s Seasoning and Corn Chips, and El Palenque Restaurant.
Backpack at Devils River State Natural Area
What Is It?: Devils River State Natural Area is a rugged and remote area that has a loop road that’s great for hiking.
Why Do It?: It is a fun place to plan an overnight backpacking trip and can take your hiking skills to the next level. You can hike the loop over the course of two days with your tent in tow to set up at one of the primitive sites along the way.
Good to Know: It’s also a nice spot for experienced kayakers to go paddling.
Set Up Camp for the Night
What Is It?: The Del Rio area has many great spots to pitch a tent or pull up your RV, including Devils River State Natural Area.
Why Do It?: You can spend the day exploring the rugged, remote terrain – without having to worry about driving back to a hotel.
Good to Know: The private Hidden Valley RV Park and Lonesome Dove RV Ranch are two RV parks to consider if you are looking for a few more amenities.
Road Trip to Big Bend National Park
What Is It?: Big Bend National Park is a very remote national park that isn’t terribly far away from Del Rio either.
Why Do It?: Staying in Del Rio might be the closest you get to it unless you plan to camp at Big Bend!
Good to Know: The drive will take you about 3.5 hours, but once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with lots of vast wilderness with opportunities for outdoor adventures, scenic solitude, dark night skies and cactus blooming in the southwestern sunshine.
