Sleepy Valley Resort

The Great Outdoors

RV camping at the Sleepy Valley Resort is a good option if you want to explore the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, which lies just a short drive south. It serves as the headquarters for the World Birding Center. Collectively, the center offers a sanctuary for hundreds of bird species and endangered wild cats such as ocelot and jaguarundi. The Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park encompasses 764 acres adjacent to the National Butterfly Center, with more than 250 butterfly species recorded in the area.The Sleepy Valley Resort also makes a good base for visiting the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, which is a 90-minute drive to the east. It sprawls across 98,000 acres along the Gulf of Mexico. A large number of endangered and threatened species inhabit the refuge, including the ocelot and jaguarundi. It’s also home to more than two dozen pairs of northern aplomado falcons, which were reintroduced to the area in the 1980s by the Peregrine Fund.Slightly closer to Mission is the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,000-acre protected area along the banks of the Rio Grande near Alamo. It was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory bird species, with its riparian landscapes uniquely located at the meeting point of the Chihuahuan Desert, the Gulf Coast, and subtropical wetlands. Almost 400 bird species have been recorded within the refuge’s borders, including black-bellied whistling ducks, blue-winged teals, tricolored herons, and peregrine falcons. In addition to its impressive birdlife, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is also home to almost half of all butterfly species found in the United States.

Exploring the City

The RV campsites at the Sleepy Valley Resort are just ten minutes' drive from the heart of Mission, where you’ll find several supermarkets for stocking up on groceries and supplies. There are also gas stations in the immediate vicinity if you need to fill up your motorhome rental and a wide choice of dining establishments that include fast-food restaurants, pizzerias, and Mexican eateries.If you’re after a cultural fix, make a point of visiting the International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen, which features a diverse range of exhibits that will appeal to all ages. Browse the works of Latin American art, Japanese prints, and antique stained glass windows that are on display, then get up close to images from the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to its Discovery Pavilion and dedicated children’s exhibits, the museum also houses a science-themed playground and an impressive sculpture garden.Also near McAllen is the Museum of South Texas History. Its exhibits focus on the cultural and natural heritage of the Rio Grande Valley and the surrounding region. The museum overlooks the main square in Edinburg, where it occupies three large buildings, with highlights of the collection including a prehistoric mosasaur and an ice age mammoth. Discover the cultural traditions of the Coahuiltecan Indians and the impact of Spanish colonization on the region, as well as the events that took place in the Civil War years. Be sure to explore the River Crossroads exhibit, which details the Citrus Era and the Mexican Revolution, then check out the large selection of South Texas history books and Rio Grande Valley memorabilia in the Museum Store.Whether you want to birdwatch in the wildlife refuges along the Rio Grande, lounge on the shores of South Padre Island, or delve into the history of the surrounding valley, book an RV rental in Hidalgo County and start planning your next vacation.