National Historical Park

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Texas. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Texas National Historical Park No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Sunset over the battlefield · Photo: NPS (via nps.gov)

About the park

“On May 8, 1846, U.S. 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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/paal

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 1 information.

Information

Road Construction

There will be road construction at both park units. Temporary traffic controls will be in place, and flaggers will guide visitors. Please follow all posted traffic control devices and directions from construction personnel. Crews may adjust construction schedules to accommodate weather or operational needs.

Posted or updated Oct 13, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Looking onto the battlefield from the overlook. — Photo: NPS photo

Self-guided Field Trips at Palo Alto Battlefield

Take your teaching to the next level and make Palo Alto Battlefield your classroom. Visiting the site of the first major battle of the U.S.-Mexican War provides you and your students with an invaluable learning experience.

30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Birding at Palo Alto Battlefield

Grab a pair of binoculars, hit the trail, and see what makes Palo Alto Battlefield a birding hotspot.

30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Birdwatching

Birding at Resaca de la Palma Battlefield

With almost a mile of walking trails plus a deck over the water, Resca de la Palma Battlefield is a great place for birding.

30 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Birdwatching

See all 10 things to do in Palo Alto Battlefield →

Activities the NPS lists for Palo Alto Battlefield.

Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsBikingRoad BikingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHikingLiving HistoryHistoric Weapons DemonstrationFirst Person InterpretationJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShoppingBookstore and Park StoreGift Shop and Souvenirs

Operating hours

Park grounds are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Visitor center hours of operation differ from park hours of operation and are dependent upon staffing.

Palo Alto Battlefield
Day	Hours
Monday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday	8:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday	8:00AM - 5:00PM

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.

Contact and directions

Phone: 9565412785
Email: [email protected]
Address: 7200 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville, TX 78526
Coordinates: 26.0239, -97.4630· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Palo Alto Visitor Center	Mon Closed · Tue 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Wed 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Thu 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat 9:00AM - 4:00PM · Sun Closed	9565412785 ext. 333	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/paal/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.