Site Development and Visitor Check-in Center at Devils River State Natural Area
Owner: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Architect: BRW Architects
Devils River State Natural Area sits alongside the Rio Grande in a picturesque and remote location of south Texas, near the city of Del Rio. After receiving a generous land donation from a private owner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) recently expanded public access to the area with the new Dan A. Hughes Unit, which offers opportunities for exploration and adventures such as camping, swimming, fishing, paddling, hiking and biking. This project, undertaken by our San Antonio Civil team, was an endeavor in environmental conservation, archaeological preservation and community engagement, intended to enhance the accessibility and enjoyment of the Devils River area while preserving its natural and historical integrity.
Upon accessing the area through the front entrance gate, visitors travel more than two miles to reach the newly built Visitor Check-in Center. The center includes educational resources, showers, restrooms, administrative areas and a garden with native flora.
Campsites and day-use areas require an additional trek of five to seven miles after check-in. Newly expanded areas include Pafford Crossing, equipped with parking, picnic tables and put-in access for kayaks and canoes; and Devils Back, which features five primitive camping sites and a swimming area. Additionally, there are three new volunteer host campsites for those who give of their time to help improve and maintain this state natural area.
During construction, the focus was on minimizing disruption to the area, with an emphasis on maintaining a clean site and preserving the integrity of the land. An onsite archaeologist provided by TPWD ensured the protection of any artifacts discovered while the team worked. Preserved historical findings, such as a stone wall from a 19th-century ranch livestock pen, required additional survey work and redesigns for road construction and other areas.
With multiple construction sites and rough terrain, the project posed a set of unique challenges. Before roads were fully constructed, travel from one point of the jobsite to another could take up to an hour. With no access to cellular towers, satellite internet and signal boosters were necessary for effective communication. Rock excavation required special equipment to ensure minimal disruption to natural topography. Due to the geographical distance from local suppliers, concrete was mixed onsite using volumetric mixers. Another challenge was drilling a new well to meet public water system requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While construction of the 1,000-foot-deep well was in progress, water needed for construction purposes had to be trucked to the site from Del Rio, more than 50 miles away.
Reflecting on the team’s accomplishments, Project Executive Grady Carlson said, “While the experience tested our team’s resilience, it also gave us the rewarding opportunity to help TPWD with their mission of expanding education and access to natural areas like Devils River, while preserving the ecological and historical heritage of our state.”
The hard-earned success of this project can be attributed to the team’s strong collaboration and communication – with the owner, design team, archaeologists and each other – giving a new dimension to our value of living teamwork.