Devils River State Natural Area - Del Norte Unit, TX

Prescribed burns are planned during the timeframe of December-May, depending on weather and other factors. Prescribed fire operations and associated smoke may impact your visit. Some camping areas, lodging facilities, trails, and day-use areas may be closed for public safety. Contact the park to learn how this may affect your stay.

Nov. 15, 2023 - Burn ban in effect until further notice. No wood fires allowed. However, charcoal, compressed fire logs, and containerized fuels (i.e. propane) are allowed at all drive-up campsites.

Please call 512-389-8901 to reserve Devils River Access Permits or if you have questions about campsite reservations

The SNA is only open from 8 a.m. Friday - 5 p.m. Monday. However, the SNA will be open Tuesday- Thursdays for special holidays to include: Spring Break in mid-March, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

The river is subject to flash flooding & is very isolated; located in rough terrain. This is not a river for beginners, small children or pets. Canoeists must watch the weather and pack accordingly. Exercise caution. Nearest Hospital is 70 miles.

A catch-and-release only fishing zone for smallmouth and largemouth bass is available in the Devils River from State Highway 163 Bridge (Bakers Crossing) downstream to the confluence of Big Satan Creek Canyon (Southern end of the South Unit on the upper reaches of Lake amistad). This impacts both Units of Devils River SNA. No live bait permitted. 1 mile hike to the river from the locked gate.

No Glass containers are allowed along the riverfront or in the river.

No gray water discharge allowed.

All trash generated must be carried out by users.

Potable (drinking) water is not available. Must bring own water for consumption.

Ground fires not in an approved container are prohibited.

Park customers can either self-launch / take or utilize the services of an Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approved outfitter to launch and take out at the Park North Unit. Take out at the currently closed South Unit is available only through the use of an Texas Parks and Wildlife Department outfitter at this time. The first and only publicly accessible take out after launching at the North park unit is Lake Amistad, 32 miles downriver from the park. The first and only public launch site above the North park unit is at Bakers Crossing. All land along the river besides the park units and National Park Service land at Lake Amistad is private property, entering the properties without land owner permission is trespassing.

Dolan Falls is not located on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department park property. The falls can only be accessed via downriver paddle trip.

PADDLER INFORMATION:
SNA allows customers to put non-motorized boats in the water. A Devils River Access Permit is required for ALL River trips that extend beyond the 10 mile boundary of the SNA along the Devils River at the Dan Allen Hughes SNA. Nearest public takeout point is about 15 miles downriver from the State Natural Area at Rough Canyon Boat Ramp (on Amistad Lake).

For overnight river trips, customers will need valid DRAP permits to either self-launch/take out or utilize the services of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approved outfitter. The first and only public launch site above the Del Norte unit is at Bakers Crossing. The only publicly accessible take out after launching at the Del Norte unit is the Dan A.Hughes unit- Devils Back Take-out/Put-in RM30, 15 miles downriver from the Del Norte SNA. All land along the river besides the SNA units and National Park Service land at Lake Amistad is private property, entering the properties without land owner permission is trespassing.

Please call 512-389-8901 to reserve Devils River Access Permits or if you have questions about campsite reservations

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has established a guide service agreement with the following outfitters to provide shuttle and guide services for paddling and fishing trips that launch and/or take-out on the Devils River State Natural Area units:
* Amistad Expeditions - (830) 703-0127: Shuttle service and boat rentals.
* Angell Expeditions - (432) 384-2307: Guided kayak and canoe trips.
* Far West Texas Outfitters - (432) 229-2054: Guided Paddling and fishing trips.
* Imagine That Outfitters - (210) 792-5234: Guided Paddling and fishing trips.
For paddlers engaging in overnight river trips, Primitive campsites by the river are available 7 days a week. For use, Devils River Access permits and camp reservations are required and need to be reserved in advance through the TPWD Reservation line at 512-389-8901.

Devils River public access points from North to South are as follows:
RM 0-Bakers Crossing
RM 12 Paddler Camp- By reservation & DRAP permit ONLY.
RM 15 San Pedro Point @ Devils River SNA Del Norte Unit- By reservation & DRAP permit ONLY.
RM 20 Paddler Camp- By reservation & DRAP permit ONLY.
RM 29 Paddler Camp- By reservation & DRAP permit ONLY.
Rm 30 Devils Back Campground @ Devils River SNA Dan A Hughes Unit
RM 33 Paffords Crossing Day-Use Area @ Devils River SNA Dan A Hughes Unit
RM 29 Rough Canyon Marina @ Lake Amistad Recreational Area

* All other lands outside these access points are privately owned. Camping outside designated public sites is likely trespassing & is illegal. Review “Planning for a Paddle Trip” on our webpage for more info.

**Permit issuance dependent on river flow rates for species and paddler protection.

Dolan Falls is not located on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department SNA property. The falls can only be accessed via downriver paddle trip. Please respect local landowners by not loitering. Remember the 4 P's: Portage, Plan your route, Picture, and Paddle on!