Canoeing on the Rio Grande at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Located near the town of Alamo, Texas, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge features 2,088 acres of riparian woodlands and thorny brushland habitat. At an ecological crossroad, Santa Ana is strategically located where subtropical climate, Gulf Coast, Great Plains and Chihuahuan desert meet. Home to more than 400 species of birds, this refuge also features one of the most diverse areas for viewing butterflies and dragonflies, as well as species such as indigo snakes, armadillos and the endangered ocelot. With over 95 percent of the original habitat in the lower Rio Grande delta cleared or altered, Santa Ana serves as a reminder of the semitropical thorn forest that once dominated the area.

Visitors to the Lower Rio Grande Valley can soak in this natural environment by taking a guided canoe trip down the Rio Grande or Rio Bravo as it's called in Mexico. A lazy float trip will enable even a hardened urbanite to relax while being surrounded by the unique wildlife along the river that is home to both Texas and Mexico. Hear the intriguing sounds of Green and Ringed Kingfishers as they patrol the borders looking for their fish dinner. Photograph a heron as it dutifully poses for a picture. See javelinas taking their morning drink from the riverbank, as owls stare at you out in the distance and Cooper's Hawks glide above you. All equipment is provided, though participants need to be able to paddle for two hours. However, this calm relaxing trip is doable even for just about everyone, including those who have never held a paddle before.

Following your canoe ride, enjoy the 12 miles of foot trails, which are open every day from sunrise to sunset. Also, a 60-passenger tram offering 75-minute interpretive tours is in operation from Thanksgiving to the end of April at a cost of $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. On weekends during the summer, check out the seven-mile wildlife drive, which provides excellent opportunities for exploring the more remote areas of Santa Ana by car or bicycle. Call the visitors center before arriving to confirm the availability of the tram or wilderness drive.

Log on to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/santana.html for more information.