River Bend Resort

We love golf, pickleball and the beach, so this was the perfect place for us! We stayed for 4 weeks in site 1004 in our 40’ DP. It was a flat site and perfect for us. If you are longer than 40’ and have a tow vehicle, you would probably not fit in that site. The odd numbered sites are longer, but (except for 1001) not flat. They work for 5th wheels, but not well for longer motorhomes. We were originally in site 1003 and were able to get close to level with our front tires on blocks, but the electrical wasn’t grounded so we moved to another site.

Golf prices w/cart vary from $35-$49 for 18 holes depending on time of day. If you rent for 2 months or more you can get a seasonal membership for $600/month for golf and cart for 2 adults and all children up to age 18. Single seasonal is $450/month.

They have 4 brand new pickleball courts that were filled with players every morning except for Sunday. There is also a heated pool and hot tub and lots of other activities in the clubhouse that you can join in on as a renter. If you are a birder, you’re going to love staying in the Rio Grande Valley! And South Padre Island beach is only an hour away.

Most of the people who winter here own their RV site, park model or home and are from the Midwest or Canada. Some of the friendliest people we’ve met at an RV park!

Be careful…you might buy a lot while you’re there!

Rate reflects weekly rate. There are only a handful of site for rent as this is actually a 55+ retirement community with homes, trailers, tiny homes, and RVs. There is one cul-de-sac that has sites for rent. Sites are spacious and back to the golf course. Use the blue water spigot, ours was dug out because the spigot is pretty low. Within walking distance is the clubhouse with many scheduled events and the pool area complete with heated pool and hot tub. Literally across the river is Mexico, but we were never worried about anything. We felt safe and welcomed, even being in our 40s with three kids. We used the pool and loved it. We never used any other facilities, so I can't comment on those.

The location is great. The resort is in a seemingly safe, gated community with neighborhood watch. Resaca de la Palma State Park is basically across the street and offers serious bird watching. Be sure to go to Oliveira Park just before sunset to see (and hear) the parrots coming in to roost. Brownsville is a lovely town. Gladys Porter Zoo is one of the best zoos we've visited nationwide. Skip South Padre Island and head to Boca Chica Beach. The beach is unfortunately trashed because people apparently can throw their trash everywhere except in any of the many trash cans that line the beach. There is no development out there, you can drive on the beach, and I bet its amazing during sea turtle season. SpaceX is building a new launch pad out there, so that will be pretty incredible to see huge Falcon Heavies launching from there one day soon.