Lazy Palms Ranch RV Park

The Great Outdoors

Camping at the Lazy Palms Ranch RV Park is a good base for exploring the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Take time to explore some of its 98,000 acres that provide habitat for a large number of bird species, as well as a variety of endangered and threatened mammals. While exploring the trails, keep your eyes peeled for northern aplomado falcons, many of which were captive-bred and reintroduced to the area in 1985.The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge overlooks South Padre Island, a barrier island and popular resort destination that’s home to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. Follow the boardwalk that accesses the center’s bird blinds and climb to the top of the five-story observation tower or join one of their guided birding walks to spot black skimmers, reddish egrets, and scarlet tanagers. The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center is also home to an alligator sanctuary, with many of its specimens having been rescued from backyard ponds or situations that threatened public safety.Edinburg campers are also within easy access to the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, which is around 45 minutes’ drive from the resort. It lies along the banks of the Rio Grande and serves as the headquarters for the World Birding Center, which manages several parks and nature reserves in the valley. It was established to provide a sanctuary for some of the 500 bird species that migrate or reside in the region, as well as around 250 butterfly species, ocelots, and jaguarundis. Farther downstream along the river is the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which lies at the meeting point of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Gulf Coast, and a large tract of subtropical wetlands. Its observation towers and elevated walkways provide the perfect setting for spotting osprey, broad-winged hawks, and blue-winged teals, as well as around half of all butterfly species that have been recorded in the United States.

Exploring the City

The RV campsites at the Lazy Palms Ranch RV Park are around 25 minutes’ drive from the center of Edinburg, where you’ll find a couple of supermarkets for stocking up on groceries and supplies. There are also several gas stations in the city if you need to fill up your RV rental and a good choice of eateries that include fast-food restaurants, Mexican taquerias, and barbecue joints.While you’re in Edinburg, don’t miss a visit to the Museum of South Texas History, which occupies a cluster of buildings overlooking the city’s main square. In addition to prehistoric dinosaurs and an ice age mammoth, the museum also features cultural artifacts detailing the life and traditions of the region’s Native American people. Learn about the events that took place in the Rio Grande Valley during the Civil War years and the Mexican Revolution or pick up some reading material on South Texas history at the museum store.Just a short hop south of Edinburg is the city of McAllen, which is home to the International Museum of Art & Science. See images taken from the Hubble Space Telescope and browse the diverse range of artwork on display that includes Latin American paintings, Picasso lithographs, and European works dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. Also in McAllen is the McAllen Nature Center, which was established in 1962 as a botanical garden with an emphasis on palms and is now traversed by 1.6 miles of walking trails. Another destination that green thumbs shouldn’t miss is the Quinta Mazatlan, a Spanish Revival estate that’s surrounded by tropical gardens and bird-filled woodlands.Whether you want to see peregrine falcons in the wildlife refuges along the Rio Grande, take in the ocean views along the Gulf Coast, or explore the museums of South Texas, book a travel trailer rental in Hidalgo County and start planning your next vacation.