BRAZOS ISLAND STATE SCENIC PARK. Brazos Island State Scenic Park, also known as Brazos Island State Recreation Area, is off State Highway 4 (Boca Chica Road) just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande and twenty-four miles east of Brownsville in Cameron County. The park has 217 undeveloped acres and offers ocean fishing, surfing, swimming, camping, and nature study. It was established by legislative act in 1957 from lands held by the General Land Office. Nearby are three battlegrounds: the sites of the Mexican War battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma^qqv and the battle of Palmito Ranch, the last land engagement in the Civil War. The park takes its name from Brazos Santiago Island, on which it is located.