On the northwest side of McAllen, a new spot for Valley residents to enjoy the great outdoors has opened.
Camp McAllen is the newest offering from McAllen Parks & Recreation. The 20-acre site, which features walking trails, fishing, kayaking, and an archery range, opened in the Summer of 2025.
The ribbon cutting was attended by community stakeholders, the builders, designers, and engineers who worked on Camp McAllen, along with young Boy and Girl Scouts who would be the first to enjoy the nature park.
“This is a great opportunity for families, churches, groups to spend time, to put down the phones for a little while and start reconnecting with nature,” McAllen commissioner JJ Zamora said. “Camp McAllen is a place dedicated to bringing the outdoors closer to our residents, right here in North McAllen. This space offers a fully immersive outdoor experience within city limits. The 20-acre site gives groups a chance to enjoy nature in a safe and structured setting.”
McAllen Parks and Recreation set out to do something new in town. With an attraction like archery, the department can expand its efforts to encourage residents of McAllen and beyond to spend more time outdoors.
McAllen City Commissioner Tony Agurrie (District 1) said the camp’s purpose is to provide additional outdoor exploration options.
“The reason for Camp McAllen is the community and families that are going to enjoy this location,” Aguirre said. “ Wholesome, great reasons to get together. People will be able to bring their kids and show them what nature is and make it a way of life for them.”
Camp McAllen becomes the fourth designated nature area in the city alongside Quinta Maztlan, Fireman’s Park, and McAllen Nature Center.
City manager Isaac Tawil took time to recognize the collaboration between McAllen departments to get the $1.86 million project from design to ribbon-cutting.
“The project reflects the best of McAllen’s teamwork, it’s not just one group that gets it done. Projects like this don’t happen with the isolated work of just one department,” Tawil said after acknowledging Parks and Recreation Director Denny Meline. “To our engineering department, whose technical expertise helped shape the project, to procurement, public works, planning, and yes, even our legal department, had input to make sure that this project came to fruition on time and under budget.”
PARD Director Meline spoke during the ribbon-cutting to commemorate the day.
“It’s a big day for residents and visitors to McAllen,” Meline said. “There is a lot more planning to do in McAllen which is a beautiful thing. It shows what the vision is in what the city is trying to strive for and that’s quality of life for residents here in McAllen. We are excited to offer this facility for all residents to enjoy, creating a welcoming environment for our community to connect and create lasting memories.”
Camp McAllen is located at 8701 N 23rd St, McAllen, TX 78504, and is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Overnight stays at the camp can be booked and vary by tent size. Archery is open for a $5 fee on Thursdays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
