Los Ebanos Ferry

Even though south Texas has seen an unusual amount of rain in the past couple months, water levels on the Rio Grande River seem to be very low. Note the steep descent of the pickup truck as it approaches the ferry.
Passengers climbing the slope have just disembarked and are trudging toward the U.S. Customs and Immigration building at the top of the hill.

The ferry can carry up to three vehicles – cars, pickup trucks or SUVs – and as many passengers as will fit. Normally, the foot traffic consists of U.S. and Canadian citizens who have made purchases (liquor, beer or cigarettes) at the duty free store and are required to cross the border with their goods and then return to the U.S. where they pay appropriate taxes and duty.

The ferry operates most days from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. unless the water level is too high to permit safe crossing. With a full load, it takes about 20 minutes to make a round trip including embarking and disembarking passengers and vehicles.

The ferry is billed as the last "hand-operated" ferry in the United States.