Pecos River Texas

The Pecos River Texas's headwaters actually don't originate in Texas. But flow from north of Pecos, New Mexico, in the Eastern Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

From there it flows from over 12,000' elevation, more or less downhill about 926 total miles. Until its outlet near Del Rio TX at the Rio Grande River. When it's then under 1000' elevation.

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It enters Texas from New Mexico at NM's lowest point.

The two states create a large reservoir on the border, but the majority is within Texas. We'll let you in on the Pecos River in Texas flowing details. Including this Pecos River with-in Texas Map.

Pecos River Map

mapping the flow of the Pecos River through New Mexico & TexasMapping the Entire Flow of the Pecos River

Pecos River in Texas

Another Texas River with historic lore. From Pecos Bill to Judge Roy Bean, the law West of the Pecos. Have you heard any of its stories?

Red Bluff Reservoir

When the Pecos River enters Texas from New Mexico, it's at this shared reservoir...

Red Bluff Reservoir - Overwhelming the majority of its waters are in Texas. One lone facility is the boat ramp at the very south end. The dam is just east.3

It's a rare oasis in a very dry area. Going here for recreation, you can consider it a gem in the rough!

One of the dirt roads on the Texas side of the Red Bluff ReservoirRed Bluff Reservoir in West Texas

Pecos River Texas Flowing Southeast

The Pecos River, Texas side, exits via Red Bluff Dam, and heads southeast.

It winds & winds through Texas desert lands. Passing some oil wells, gravel pits, mining areas. Plus a little farming & lots of desolation.

The river through here suffers from hard times.

As you may notice. It's fairly obvious viewed in Grandfalls TX. There it runs under Crane County Hwy.11. That's just northwest of the Old Grand Falls Highway intersection.

Juan Cordona Lake

Follow its undulating path further. At a point, if you look northeast, you'll find an odd lake formation...

Juan Cordona Lake - Its historic marker is in Crane TX, even further northeast from the lake.

  • Named [sic] for Juan Cordova, who originally owned the lands here. 
  • It's a natural salt lake area. 
  • Waters often & variably dry up. Which enables salt to takers since at least the 1600s. The time when Apaches lived here.
USGS aerial map designating a unique salt flat lake in West TexasJuan Cordona Lake Aerial Photo
Shows the Snaking Pecos River to the SW
Image Credit via The Portal to Texas History AT - UNT-Libraries.Gov/DocsDept

Soon the Pecos River's surrounding terrain becomes a little more mountainous. With mesas & tablelands. Then some hilly desert.

But still desolate.

Desert landscape similar to that in West TexasThe Pecos River in Desolate Areas of West Texas
Meanders Through Hilly Desert Tablelands With Some Small Mesas

The Pecos River winds under U.S. Hwy.385 in Girvin Texas. Driving there, have you ever noticed the adjacent Rio Pecos RV Park/Campground? It closed just past 2022's start. Will it reopen? On this vast wilderness of exploration, it would be handy!

Twisting through miles & miles more of West Texas emptiness. Occasional canyons, country & farm roads.

Then rolling east of Iraan Texas.

Where Rancher Ira (and wife Ann - so the name: IraAn) discovered oil.

Was a boomtown for awhile. Later oil production dwindled, as did the populace. Population now around 1200.

The Pecos rolls under Hwy.190 east of town.

Locating Pecos County in Texas, with the town of Iraan pointed out.

Pecos River Pandale Crossing

The Pecos River in Texas now parallels swervingly east of Rt.349. Going south to flowing under I-10, east of 349's #325 Entrance to the freeway.

Wandering east of Sheffield TX, near farming areas. Crossing under Pecos County Hwy.290.

Then through some canyon country.

Til finally just Southwest of Pandale, the Pecos River flows under Langtry Rd., at Big Fielder Draw.

Nearby is Pandale Crossing River Resort (432-940-5643) with camping, a few RV sites & cabin rentals.

Before long on its generally southerly course, Texas's course for the Pecos River flows east of Langtry & nearly parallels state Hwy.90. That highway nearly parallels the U.S./Mexico Border.

This southernmost end of the Pecos River in Texas, is probably where you can more beneficially enjoy this waterway. As we think it's the BEST PARTS of the Pecos River, Texas...

  • Pecos River Bridge - East of Langtry, West of Comstock; between the two you'll cross this bridge over the river's gorge. You'll drive along the highest TX bridge via a highway. About 270' above the Pecos, depending on changing water levels.1
View of the Pecos River Bridge in Southwest TexasPecos River Bridge Taking Cars via State Hwy. 90

For stunning views, stop-over here:

Exit Southeast Side - Onto Park Rd.67. It takes a rough downhill trek to a "Rest Area." Really a picnic spot, no rest-rooms.

  • What would you want to stop here for? The overlook into the gorge. The best views are here! The Pecos River (There at sunset? You'll love it!), the bridge, the canyon. 
  • If you have train interest, something more outta site, upstream, around the bend...
  1. Pecos High Bridge - AKA, Pecos Viaduct. A railroad bridge, when finished in 1892, then the highest bridge in the U.S. An engineering amazement for its time. A bridge watchman worked full time when trains began crossing regularly. 
  2. Refurbished with reinforcements in 1910 & 1929. 
  3. Then during WWII, a new one was built. The old one remained temporarily as a stand-by. 
  4. By 1950 it was dismantled & its parts delivered - where? Two Tales exist. The new train bridge is still in use!

Amistad Reservoir

Just beyond this location, the Pecos River in Texas widens out to become the International Amistad Reservoir. 

Amistad is an international reservoir because it encompasses the US/Mexico border's historic channel of the Rio Grande. Amistad is Spanish for "friendship."3

Once the Pecos flow enters the Rio Grande. They merge a little over 1 mile west of the Pecos River Bridge.

Pecos River enters the Amistad International Reservoir near the U.S.-Mexico border.Pecos River as it's Becoming the Amistad Reservoir

Park details2...

  • You can access it on the South Side. And view it live now via the webcam at the Boat Ramp!
  • Campsites are 1st-come/1st-served. No hook-ups among 5 sites. A dump station & drinking water are on the Diablo East boat ramp road.
  • Lots of boating variety. 
  1. The Rio Grande park boundary continues 74 miles up the Rio Grande. Plus there's 25 miles of Devils River in addition to the 14 Pecos miles.
  2.  Amidst all this are tons of coves to explore. 
  3. Excellent fishing, so bring your gear!
  • Get all updated info, including boat pass details, call the Visitor Center: 830-775-7491.
Amistad International Reservoir cliff viewing point shows the joining of the Pecos River with the Rio GrandePecos River Cliff Prominence Juts Into the Pecos River's Amistad Reservoir Just Before Reaching the River's Mouth at the Rio Grande
Beyond the Cliff's Prominence is the Pecos River's waters in Amistad Reservoir merging into its confluence with the Rio Grande. Beginning its Shared Border With Mexico.

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