Amistad National Recreation Area

Along the Mexican border in south Texas, at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Devils and Pecos rivers, the Amistad Reservoir offers dive opportunities inside the Amistad National Recreation Area, so designated in 1990. Considered the most popular dive site is Diablo East Dive Cove, with a dive platform at 40 feet (12 m), two boat wrecks, and a maximum depth of 100 feet at the outer point of the cove. Castle Canyon has a few protected coves to beach a boat and dive; and the Highway 90 Bridge offers good visibility on its leeward side. A dive flag is required during all dives except in Scuba Cove. The nearest multichamber recompression facility is 150 miles (240 km) away in San Antonio. A single chamber may be available at Val Verde Medical Center in Del Rio. Besides aquatic life, divers can find sunken boats, railroad tracks and even buildings.

Depths to: 100 feet in traditional dive areas.

Visibility: Up to 30 feet (9 m) from November to April.

Water temperature: Mid-50s Fahrenheit (11-14 degrees Celsius) in the winter to mid-80s F (28-31 C) in the summer. At 80 feet (24 m) deep, temperatures are 10-15 F cooler than at the surface.

Aquatic life: Black bass, stripers, and channel and yellow catfish.

Fees: Permits of $4 per day or $40 per year are required for boats, and camping rates range from $2 to $8 per night.

On-site amenities: Camp sites and picnic areas.

More info: Call the Amistad Visitor Information Center at (830) 775-7491 or the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce at (800) 889-8149.

Open: Year-round

Getting there: 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 U.S. Highway 90 from the east and west and U.S. highways 277/377 from the north and south.