On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto.
The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North
America. Although the two countries have developed strong bonds and friendly
ties since the war ended in 1848, these neighbors continue to contend with the
legacy of the war.

On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have developed strong bonds and friendly ties since the war ended in 1848, these neighbors continue to contend with the legacy of the war.

Stop by the Visitor Center before heading out on the trail.

Visitor Center

Get here when the park opens and enjoy views like this.

Sunrise

Early sunsets during winter are a sight to behold.

Sunset over the battlefield

Rattlesnakes will let you know when you get too close.

Rattlesnake

The overlook gives you a great view of the battlefield

Battlefield overlook

A Mexican 8-pound field gun surveys the battlefield.

Mexican 8-pounder

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide
habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, principally redhead
ducks. Today, there is an expanded emphasis that includes endangered species
conservation and management for shorebirds. The refuge is a premiere bird-
watching destination with more recorded species of birds than any other refuge
in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The largest population of ocelots in
the United States calls the refuge home, making it the center for conservation
and recovery efforts for this endangered cat.

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 120,000 acres,
a portion of which are open to the public for wildlife related activities like
wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, photography and environmental education.

It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands
and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife and you.

Bahia Grande unit - In 2000, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge acquired
the 21,700 acre Bahia Grande Unit located between the towns of Laguna Vista
and Brownsville, Texas. Almost half of the unit is wetlands, including the
6,500 acre Bahia Grande basin for which the tract of land was named.

South Padre Island unit - With the help of The Nature Conservancy, the Laguna
Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge now includes a significant amount of habitat
on South Padre Island. In 2000, The Nature Conservancy acquired 24,532 acres
on the north end of South Padre Island, including more than eight miles of
beachfront that were ultimately transferred to the refuge.

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, principally redhead ducks. Today, there is an expanded emphasis that includes endangered species conservation and management for shorebirds. The refuge is a premiere bird-watching destination with more recorded species of birds than any other refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The largest population of ocelots in the United States calls the refuge home, making it the center for conservation and recovery efforts for this endangered cat.Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 120,000 acres, a portion of which are open to the public for wildlife related activities like wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, photography and environmental education.It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife and you.Bahia Grande unit - In 2000, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge acquired the 21,700 acre Bahia Grande Unit located between the towns of Laguna Vista and Brownsville, Texas. Almost half of the unit is wetlands, including the 6,500 acre Bahia Grande basin for which the tract of land was named.South Padre Island unit - With the help of The Nature Conservancy, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge now includes a significant amount of habitat on South Padre Island. In 2000, The Nature Conservancy acquired 24,532 acres on the north end of South Padre Island, including more than eight miles of beachfront that were ultimately transferred to the refuge.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

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Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge