Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
Brownsville, TX Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

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Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Historical Park

Operating Hours & Seasons

Palo Alto Battlefield

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park’s busy season runs from November through May. During the month of May, the visitor center and trails are often busy with school field trips in the mornings. Park trails close at 4:30 p.m. All gates are locked at 5 p.m.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Monday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Tuesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Wednesday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Thursday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Friday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Saturday:8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Additional Information View More

• Christmas Day:
• –

• New Year’s Day:
• –

• Thanksgiving Day:
• –

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – No admission fee
  There is no fee to enter Palo Alto Battlefield or attend park programs and events. Enjoy your visit!

About

The First Clash

On May 8, 1846, United States and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the site of this notable battle and provides an understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of the U.S.-Mexican War.

Directions

The park is located on Brownsville’s north side, near the city of Los Fresnos. It is just north of the intersection of FM 1847 (Paredes Line Rd.) and FM 511/FM 550.

Visitor Centers

Palo Alto Visitor Center

The visitor center features an exhibit area features interactive exhibits, artifacts, and Mexican War era military uniforms. The center also offers a 15-minute video—”War on the Rio Grande.” The video gives an overview of the war and is available in English and Spanish. The visitor center includes a small book store with over 100 book titles and specialty items. Don’t forget to get your national parks passport book stamped! Ask for the stamp at the front desk.

Weather

Summers are hot and humid. Tropical weather systems generally affect the area from August to October. Winters are usually mild but cold fronts can drop temperatures by up to 30 degrees in about an hour.

Permits and Reservations Information