Choke Canyon Hiking Trails

Description:

• Choke Canyon State Park, consisting of two units, South Shore and Calliham, is located on 26,000-acre Choke Canyon Reservoir.

  Within the Calliham Unit there are 2 miles of hiking trails, a mile-long bird trail with feeders and a wildlife educational center that offers educational programs. Whereas in the South Shore Unit there is a 0.25-mile hiking trail, together with a 0.25 birding trail.

  The reservoir and surrounding terrain are characterized by eroded, gently-rolling brushland crossed by silted stream valleys. The land was formed during the Cenozoic Era (the period following extinction of the dinosaur) by accumulating sediments from seas that once covered south Texas. Ancient rivers flowing to the southeast dumped their sediments into what was then part of the Gulf of Mexico, producing new land. Seas intermittently covered the newly-formed land by river carried sediments which eventually dominated. These sediments are generally composed of volcanic ash, claystone, siltstone, tuff, shale, and shaley limestone. The present location of Choke Canyon Dam is near the ancient Gulf shoreline of about 30 million years ago. Erosion of these sediments and subsequent deposits of river silt eventually produced the present terrain.

  Both Calliham and South Shore have a wide variety of wildlife that inhabits dense thickets of mesquite and blackbush acacia. Choke Canyon is the westernmost common occurrence of the American alligator. Rio Grande turkey, whitetail deer, javelina, coyote, opossum, fox squirrel, raccoon, and various skunks are among the most common animals. The crested caracara (Mexican eagle) can also be seen in the area. Directions: South Shore Unit is located 3.5 miles west of Three Rivers on State Highway 72. Calliham Unit is located 12 miles west of Three Rivers on State Highway 72 to Tilden.