3 Favorite Birdwatching Spots You Can Drive to From Odessa, TX

With plenty of nearby wildlife refuges and nature reserves that attract a variety of birds year-round, the city of Odessa, TX is a fantastic base to explore the region in your comfortable and efficient 2023 Kia Telluride. Grab your binoculars, invite your favorite group of friends, and check out these wonderful birdwatching destinations within less than two hours’ drive from the city center.

3 Favorite Birdwatching Spots You Can Drive to From Odessa, TX

1. Big Spring State Park

Located right off route I-20 and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Big Spring State Park is a popular destination among birdwatchers and wildlife photographers from Odessa and other towns in northwestern Texas. Covering an area of a little over 380 acres, this nature reserve welcomes more than 35,000 visitors each year and features a seasonal interpretive center, camping areas, hiking trails, and picnic spots.

2. Monahans Sandhills State Park

Occupying almost 4,000 acres of sand dunes, Monahans Sandhills State Park was established in the late 1950s and is home to large populations of rock pigeons, mourning doves, great horned owls, turkey vultures, northern cardinals, northern mockingbirds, and many other bird species. Open year-round between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, this state park is a popular day trip destination and a great place to enjoy the region’s natural beauty.

Getting from downtown Odessa to Monahans Sandhills State Park takes about half an hour via route I-20. Managed by the Texas and Wildlife Department, this place is not only a well-known birding destination but also a fantastic spot to enjoy your favorite recreational activities including tobogganing, sandboarding, sand football, picnicking, and hiking.

3. San Angelo State Park

Providing habitat to over 250 species of birds, San Angelo State Park is a wildlife watcher’s paradise and a wonderful destination to spend a weekend away from the urban frenzy. This public recreation area is located about 130 miles southeast of Odessa and can be reached in about two hours via route TX-158. Some of the birds you can find here include egrets, pelicans, mourning doves, Canada geese, wild turkeys, and spotted sandpipers.

If you are searching for a new or pre-owned Kia to hit the road, explore the best birding destinations in Texas, and go on an off-road adventure with your friends and family, we’ve got you covered! Visit us today at Kelly Grimsley Kia and learn more about our extensive inventory of vehicles and the convenient auto loans we have available for our customers.

Photo by Diane Helentjaris on Unsplash

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