{"id":"nps-paal","slug":"palo-alto-battlefield-national-historical-park","name":"Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park","designation":"National Historical Park","category":"battlefield","categoryLabel":"Battlefield and Military Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"PAAL","designation":"National Historical Park","sourceId":"nps-paal"}],"states":["TX"],"stateNames":["Texas"],"location":{"lat":26.02387351,"lon":-97.46296072},"bbox":[-97.4882,25.9361,-97.4446,26.0436],"acres":{"value":3440,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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. Although the two countries have developed strong bonds and friendly ties since the war ended in 1848, these neighbors continue to contend with the legacy of the war.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/paal/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=26.0436&b_tl_lng=-97.4882&b_br_lat=25.9361&b_br_lng=-97.4446","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Palo%20Alto%20Battlefield%20National%20Historical%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/paal/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7921A4-1DD8-B71B-0B7F752FC172799B.jpg","title":"Sunset over the battlefield","alt":"Sunset over the battlefield","credit":"NPS","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/paal/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7921A4-1DD8-B71B-0B7F752FC172799B.jpg","title":"Sunset over the battlefield","alt":"Sunset over the battlefield","credit":"NPS","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/paal/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C792376-1DD8-B71B-0BFE87475AD26DCA.jpg","title":"Mexican 8-pounder","alt":"Mexican 8-pounder cannon on the battlefield.","caption":"A Mexican 8-pound field gun surveys the battlefield.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C791D5F-1DD8-B71B-0B9B92E13DDE689F.jpg","title":"Battlefield overlook","alt":"Shaded structure overlooking the battlefield","caption":"The overlook gives you a great view of the battlefield","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/D2E867ED-FDE5-ADB8-7A6C5574395AB560.jpg","title":"Living History","alt":"Three living historians in Mexican War era military uniforms","caption":"The park's living history programs offer a unique learning experience.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C79209F-1DD8-B71B-0BAD9C92F2CF0409.jpg","title":"Sunrise","alt":"Sun rising over the battlefield","caption":"Get here when the park opens and enjoy views like this.","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Cultural Demonstrations","Biking","Road Biking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Hiking","Living History","Historic Weapons Demonstration","First Person Interpretation","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Archeology","Colonization and Settlement","Forts","Hispanic American Heritage","Immigration","Latino American Heritage","Maritime","Maritime - Military","Migrations","Military","Infantry and Militia","Artillery","Cavalry","US Army","US Navy","US Marines","Battlefields","Monuments and Memorials","Presidents","Schools and Education","Science, Technology and Innovation","Wars and Conflicts","Mexican War","Westward Expansion","Animals","Birds","Tortoises and Turtles","Grasslands","Prairies","Natural Sounds","Scenic Views","Thickets and Shrublands","Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Endangered","Wetlands"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Palo Alto Battlefield","description":"Park grounds are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.\n\nVisitor center hours of operation differ from park hours of operation and are dependent upon staffing. The visitor center may be closed when the grounds are open. \n\nPark trails close to new traffic at 4:30 pm. All gates are locked at 5 pm. All vehicles must clear the park by 5 pm.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","monday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","thursday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","sunday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","tuesday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","friday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM","saturday":"8:00AM - 5:00PM"},"exceptions":[{"name":"Thanksgiving Day","start":"2026-11-26","end":"2026-11-26","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"Christmas Day","start":"2026-12-25","end":"2026-12-25","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}},{"name":"New Year's Day","start":"2027-01-01","end":"2027-01-01","hours":{"wednesday":"Closed","monday":"Closed","thursday":"Closed","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"Closed","friday":"Closed","saturday":"Closed"}}]},{"name":"Resaca de la Palma Battlefield Unit","description":"The site officially closes at dusk and is closed on all federal holidays.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"9:00AM - 3:00PM","monday":"Closed","thursday":"9:00AM - 3:00PM","sunday":"Closed","tuesday":"9:00AM - 3:00PM","friday":"9:00AM - 3:00PM","saturday":"9:00AM - 3:00PM"},"exceptions":[]}],"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"9565412785","email":"paal_visitor_center@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Palo Alto Visitor Center","description":"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!","url":"https://www.nps.gov/paal/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm","lat":26.016775,"lon":-97.479093}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"laguna-atascosa-national-wildlife-refuge","km":20},{"slug":"santa-ana-national-wildlife-refuge","km":68},{"slug":"lower-rio-grande-valley-national-wildlife-refuge","km":73},{"slug":"padre-island-national-seashore","km":115}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=paal"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.621Z","alerts":[{"source":"NWS","kind":"Flood Advisory","severity":"Minor","title":"Flood Advisory issued November 8 at 7:47PM CST until November 8 at 10:45PM CST by NWS Brownsville TX","text":"* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.\n\n* WHERE...North Central Cameron County in deep south Texas...\nCentral Willacy County in deep south Texas...\n\n* WHEN...Until 1045 PM CST.\n\n* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.\nWater over roadways. Ponding of water in urban or other areas is\noccurring or is imminent.\n\n* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...\n- At 747 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to\nthunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin\nshortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have\nfallen.\n- Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are expected over the\narea. This additional rain will result in minor flooding.\n- Some locations that will experience flooding include...\nArroyo City, Port Mansfield, San Perlita, Porfirio, Santa Monica,\nWillamar, Port Mansfield Chamber Of Commerce, Port Mansfield\nAirport, San Perlita High School and Monte Grande.\n- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood","instruction":"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood\ndeaths occur in vehicles.\n\nBe especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the\ndangers of flooding.\n\nBe aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.\n\nPlease report observed flooding to local emergency services or law\nenforcement and request they pass this information to the National\nWeather Service when you can do so safely.","url":"https://alerts.weather.gov/search?id=urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.6db15010582c7723c4d62b2e9196208ae3de2009.001.1","starts":"2026-11-08T19:47:00-06:00","ends":"2026-11-08T22:45:00-06:00","id":"nws-urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.6db15010582c7723c4d62b2e9196208ae3de2009.001.1"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/palo-alto-battlefield-national-historical-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/palo-alto-battlefield-national-historical-park.geojson"}