Val Verde County, Texas
14 local notes for Val Verde County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Rio Grande Valley / Border.
Money & Taxes
Property Tax
Who Handles Property Taxes in Val Verde County
Two separate offices handle property taxes here: one appraises your property, and a different one collects what you owe.
Homestead Exemption
Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill
If your home is your primary residence in Val Verde County, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces your taxable property value.
Agricultural Appraisal
Ag Valuation Can Sharply Cut Taxes on Ranch Land
Ranch land used for sheep, goats, or cattle may qualify for a special lower tax value based on what the land produces, not what it would sell for.
Home & Property
Cars & Driving
Vehicle Registration
No Emissions Test Required for Most Vehicles in Val Verde County
Val Verde County is not on the list of Texas counties that require vehicle emissions testing, so most drivers only need to register and pay fees.
Road Safety / Flooding
Low-Water Crossings and Flash Floods Are a Real Danger Here
Val Verde County's canyon terrain makes it prone to fast-rising floodwaters, and many rural roads use low-water crossings that can be dangerous or impassable after rain.
Outdoors
Fishing
Amistad Reservoir: Fishing on a Large International Lake
Amistad Reservoir sits on the Rio Grande near Del Rio and is one of Texas's largest lakes, with good fishing for bass and catfish year-round.
National Recreation Area
Amistad NRA: Camping and Paddling on the Rio Grande
Amistad National Recreation Area wraps around the reservoir near Del Rio and offers low-cost camping, boating, and paddling managed by the National Park Service.
State Natural Area
Devils River State Natural Area Requires Advance Planning
Devils River State Natural Area is a remote, spring-fed wilderness in Val Verde County that requires reservations and is only open certain days each week.
Rivers / Water Quality
The Devils River: One of Texas's Cleanest Waterways
The Devils River runs through Val Verde County to Amistad Reservoir and is known for its clear, spring-fed water and exceptional water quality.
History & Culture
Rock Art / State Park
Seminole Canyon: Ancient Rock Art Near Del Rio
Seminole Canyon State Park near Comstock protects pictographs painted by people who lived in this region thousands of years ago, and offers guided tours to see them up close.
County History
How Val Verde County Got Its Name and Was Formed
Val Verde County was formed in 1885 from three other Texas counties, and its name comes from a Civil War battle that means 'green valley' in Spanish.
Agricultural Heritage
Sheep and Goat Ranching Shaped Val Verde County
Val Verde County has a deep history in sheep and goat ranching, and that tradition still shapes land use and agriculture in the county today.
Military / Economy
Laughlin Air Force Base Is a Major Presence in Del Rio
Laughlin Air Force Base, located seven miles east of Del Rio, is one of the largest employers and economic drivers in Val Verde County.