The lake given its location is the backdrop for year-round, water-based recreation opportunities, including boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving and water-skiing.[5] Houseboats and other boating equipment can be rented from the park unit's concessionaires.[6] Amistad National Recreation Area in addition provides opportunities for picnicking, hiking, camping and hunting.[5] The area is rich in archeology and rock art, and contains a wide variety of plant and animal life.[5] In the fall, monarch butterflies by the thousands pass through the area during their 3,000 mile (4,800 km) migration from southern Canada to central Mexico.[7]
There are opportunities for hunting as provided for under state and federal law at Amistad given its status as a recreation area.[8] Bow-hunting for white-tailed deer, javelina, turkey, rabbit, mouflon sheep, aoudad sheep, blackbuck antelope and feral hog is permitted during certain times of the year in prescribed hunt areas.[9] Though rifles and handguns are not permitted, shotguns may be used to hunt dove, quail, duck and rabbit in accordance with relevant regulations.[9]
Elite scuba divers have begun to explore the system of deep underwater caves beneath the surface of the reservoir.[10] The dive requires exotic gas mixes, pre-placement of gas cylinders, and extensive decompression times at depth.[10] These caves are considered hazardous and should not be attempted by anyone without extensive training and preparation.[10]