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Hiking and Camping in the Backcountry

I'm John, this is my site about hiking and backpacking in the backcountry.

Bring all these things every time you go hiking.

CAMP STOVE
The Stratus Trailstove is not your grandpa's wood stove. It is a wood stove but it's an ultra light very cool stove. It weighs less than your current gas stove plus gas which in itself is reason enough to switch.

LIGHT
If you don't have a flashlight you can't see anything in the dark. Always bring an extra one too and extra batteries.

STEELWIRE
I always bring some steel wire in my backpack just in case something breaks. Steel wire is great for fixing stuff.

FIRE
The most important thing is that you always have the ability to make fire. The best way is to have multiple dependable sources of fire. Don't rely on stone age techniques they take lots of practice to master and even then the condition need to be right.

CATCH ANIMALS WITH A ROLLING SNARE

Pick a spot where animals have an easy time passing by surrounded by natural obstacles where they would have a hard time passing through and where there is a small tree.

Find a piece of wood about an inch in diameter and a few inches long, cut a notch in it.

Find another piece of wood also about an inch in diameter but about a foot long. Cut a notch in this piece of wood too close to one end. Sharpen the other end of this stick, the notches on the two pieces should be such that they fit in each other and can take a good amount of pull along their axis but let go easily if the smaller stick is pushed sideways.

Make a lasso type knot on the string you will use and tie the string to the shorter stick in such a way that the lasso reaches the stick when open.
Bang the sharp end of the longer stick into the ground with a rock.

Tie the rope to the tree at an appropriate height and with an appropriate length of string. You may need to adjust this later to get it right.
Hook the notch of the short stick to the notch of the long stick.

Suspend the loop in the air with a couple of small twigs. That's it, all done.

Check your snares often since an animal may be able to escape, if you want you can attach some type of noise maker that goes off when an animal gets pulled up in the air. It's very important that you beat the animal to death before you take it out of the snare since they will bite you if they get a chance.

Amistad National Recreation Area

Del Rio, TX

A splash of blue stands out against limestone cliffs. The honking of a great blue heron, interspersed with the descending trill of a canyon wren, can be heard off in the distance. This landscape, which at times appears stark and desolate, comes alive with color after a rainstorm. Amistad is a land of contrasts...and of hidden treasures. The same water that draws people to boat and fish today, sustained over 300 generations of hunters and gatherers. They left behind a record of their existence through colorful rock art panels, bits of tools, and fibers preserved for thousands of years by the arid desert climate.

Situated on the United States-Mexico Border, Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year round, water-based recreation including: boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing. Amistad NRA also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting. The reservoir, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, was created by Amistad Dam in 1969. In addition to excellent recreation, this area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life. So whether you come to boat, to ponder ancient mysteries, or to listen to bird song and watch the desert bloom, Amistad has something for you.

CONTACTS

Email - amis_interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 830-775-7299

Write to
HCR 3, Box 5J
Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840-9350

Phone
Headquarters - (830)775-7491

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Park headquarters: Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., year-round, except holidays.

Please visit Amistad NRA's Official Home Page:

http://www.nps.gov/amis/home.htm Or click on the "In Depth" button to your right.

Getting There
PLANE - Del Rio is serviced by a small airport that will accommodate small private planes

CAR - Amistad NRA lies in southwest Texas, west of San Antonio between Del Rio and Langtry, downstream from Big Bend National Park. It is reached via Highway 90 from the east and west and U.S. Routes 277/377 from the north and south

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Bus and Amtrak stations are located in Del Rio.

Accessibility
Handicapped Parking. Accessible restrooms and campgrounds.

Getting Around
Personal vehicle, bicycle, boat and motorcycle.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
CAMPING
$4.00 or $2.00 GA/GACC for Day
Group campsites are available by reservation only for $2.00/person/night. Minimum 15 persons. Call: 830-775-7491

Permits
LAKE USE FEE
$40 or $20 w/ GAGE/GACC for Annual
$4/day, $2 w/GAGE/GACC for Day

CAMPING

277 North
Open All Year
17 Sites, each with a concrete pad, covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive camping only, no water or hook-ups available. New vault-style toilets. RVs ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come, first-served. Camp Hosts on-site in the winter months. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Friday mornings from January through March.(see "Programs" on park's home pages).

Governors Landing
Open All Year
15 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, water is available, no hook-ups. New vault-style toilets. RVs less than 28 feet ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come,first-served. Camp Hosts on-site in the winter months. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Friday mornings from January through March. Amphitheater with educational programs on Saturday evenings November through March(see "Programs" on park's home pages).

San Pedro
Open All Year
35 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, no water or hook-ups available. Long, flat spaces for RVs, tents ok. Also available, 5 tent-only spaces with picnic table. No reservations, sites are first-come-first-served. Camp Hosts on site in the winter season. "Coffee With a Ranger" programs Friday mornings from January through March(see "Programs" on park's home pages).

Spur 406
Open All Year
8 Sites, each with a covered picnic table and a BBQ Grill. Primitive Camping only, no water or hook-ups available. New vault-style toilets. RVs ok, tents ok. No reservations, sites are first-come-first-served.

LODGING

Various motels and RV Parks in Del Rio.
Open All Year
See the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce's web site for information on all types of accomodations in Del Rio or near Amistad National Recreation Area. There is no lodging available inside the park.
For More Information on this lodging please call (830)775-3551

FACILITIES

Ranger Stations
DIABLO EAST DISTRICT
Open All Year Intermitent
Location - Diablo East Marina. Drive west of Del Rio on Hwy 90 toward Lake Amistad. Turn right at the NPS sign marked, "Diablo East". Please visit Amistad NRA's Official Home Page: http://www.nps.gov/amis/home.htm Or Click on the "In Depth" button to your right.
Exhibits - Boating safety wayside exhibit kiosk near the restroom building.
Available Facilities - Diablo East information station is open intermittently. Free information pamphlets are available inside. Restrooms, trail, launch ramp, boat dock, fish cleaning station, and picnic areas.

PECOS RIVER
Phone - (915)292-4544
Location - Thirty five miles west of Del Rio on Hwy 90 near Seminole Canyon State Natural Area, past the town of Comstock turn at the NPS sign. Please visit Amistad NRA's Official Home Page: http://www.nps.gov/amis/home.htm Or Click on the "In Depth" button to your right.
Closures - Launch Ramp closes when water level is too low. Currently, light boat launching and hand-carried boats only. Motorized boats are prohibited from going upriver from the launch ramp.
Exhibits - Pecos information station is open intermittently. Free information pamphlets are available inside.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, launch ramp (depending on lake river levels), fish cleaning station, trail, picnic, water, scenic view. Limited supplies in this area.

ROUGH CANYON DISTRICT
Open All Year Intermittent
Location - Rough Canyon Marina. Drive west from Del Rio to 277 north, follow 277 N until you see the NPS sign for "Rough Canyon", turn and follow road to the marina. Please visit Amistad NRA's Official Home Page: http://www.nps.gov/amis/home.htm Or Click on the "In Depth" button to your right.
Exhibits - Rough Canyon information station is open most days. Interpretive panels provide orientation and information on water safety, natural and cultural history. Free information pamphlets are available inside.
Available Facilities - Restrooms, water, boat dock, fish cleaning station, launch ramp, picnic area.

Visitor Centers
AMISTAD DAM
Open All Year 10 am to 6 pm
Location - On top of Amistad Dam. Drive west of Del Rio on Hwy 90 to Spur 349. Turn on Spur 349 to Amistad Dam. The visitor center is on the US side of the dam. Please visit Amistad NRA's Official Home Page: http://www.nps.gov/amis/home.htm Or Click on the "In Depth" button to your right.
Exhibits - Owned by International Boundary and Water Commission and operated by the National Park Service. Exhibits relate story of dam's construction, as well as the natural and cultural resources surrounding Amistad Reservoir. Open daily, year round, from l0:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the center is usually unstaffed.
Available Facilities - Rest rooms available on top of Dam. Parking and turn-around spaces. Great view!

HEADQUARTERS VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, except holidays
Phone - 830 775-7491
Location - Just west of Del Rio on US Highway 90.
Available Facilities - Visitor information, boat use fee sales, Big Bend Natural History Association book sales, and Texas hunting and fishing licenses.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

CAMP STOVE The Stratus Trailstove is not your grandpa's wood stove. It is a wood stove but it's an ultra light very cool stove. It weighs less than your current gas stove plus gas which in itself is reason enough to switch.
LIGHT If you don't have a flashlight you can't see anything in the dark. Always bring an extra one too and extra batteries.
STEELWIRE I always bring some steel wire in my backpack just in case something breaks. Steel wire is great for fixing stuff.
FIRE The most important thing is that you always have the ability to make fire. The best way is to have multiple dependable sources of fire. Don't rely on stone age techniques they take lots of practice to master and even then the condition need to be right.