Fort Davis National Historic Site (0.9 miles)

Fort Davis was operational from 1854 to 1891 and is one of the finest surviving examples of a Southwest frontier military post from the Indian Wars period. Over 100 fort buildings remain, from ruins to fully restored and refurnished exhibits. A trail into the hills behind the Fort connects with another from the Davis Mountains Sate Park, allowing hiking between the two.

Overland Trail Museum (0.8 miles)

Currently open only by reservation. Located on the old San Antonio-El Paso Road, the Old Overland Trail Museum is housed in the 1883 home and office of eccentric justice of the peace and photographer Nick Mersfelder. The museum displays memorabilia of frontier times donated by pioneer descendants.

Rattlers & Reptiles (1.3 miles)
This famous rattlesnake museum features over 100 live reptiles and amphibians, as well as local desert mammals, arachnids and insects!

Davis Mountains State Park (1.6 miles)
Davis Mountains State Park was built as one of the earliest Civilian Conservation Corps projects in the state of Texas, and the classic CC design and construction can be seen throughout the park, including the dramatic white adobe architecture of the Indian Lodge facility. Enjoy miles of hiking trails through the high desert mountains. An indoor bird blind offers birdwatching opportunities.

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Garden (5.3 miles)

The Nature Center’s 507-acre site features a small network of hiking trails through the beautiful Modesta Canyon and over Clayton’s Overlook with spectacular views and a multi-panel geology exhibit of the Davis Mountains. The Botanical Garden features over 165 species on a self-guide half-mile path.

McDonald Observatory (9.4 miles)
With the Davis Mountains providing some of the darkest skies in the continental US, McDonald Observatory is one of the world’s leading astronomical research facilities. The Observatory’s 10-meter Hobby-Eberly telescope is one of the largest in the world. Visitor programs include daily tours, a first-class Visitor Center, and very popular, reservation-only Star Parties on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Scenic Loop Drive (75 miles long)

The Davis Mountains Scenic Loop Drive follows US 118 through Limpia Canyon, past McDonald Observatory and in to Madera Canyon. US 166 then takes you past Mount Livermore and Sawtooth Mountain before arriving back in Fort Davis. This is the highest public highway in Texas, with a top elevation of 6,700 feet. Go to fortdavis.com to download a map of the Scenic Loop.

Alpine (24 miles)
Alpine is the service hub of the Big Bend region and offers a variety of boutiques, restaurants, and live music venues, as well as the Museum of the Big Bend.

Marfa (21 miles)

Marfa is a both a tiny desert town and a world center of contemporary art. The Chinati Foundation, a private museum with permanent installations by prominent minimalist artists including founder Donald Judd, gave rise over the last few decades to a cosmopolitan collection of galleries, art nonprofits, stylish shops and restaurants. (Note: Many of these amenities have very limited hours of operation.)

Balmorhea State Park (32.8 miles)
Currently closed for construction (No reopening date as of September 2020). Balmorhea State Park boasts the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool, created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park has picnic sites and a playground.

Big Bend National Park (105 miles on Hwy 118 to the West entrance)
Big Bend National Park’s 801,163 acres range in elevation from 1,850 feet at the Rio Grande to 7,832 feet at the summit of Emory Peak, incorporating river, desert and mountain environments to offer the most representative example of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem in the US. Enjoy 200 miles of hiking trails, or take a boat trip with local guides along the Rio Grande!

Big Bend Ranch State Park (117.5 miles to Barton Warnock Visitor Center)
There are several ways to explore this immense, remote and rugged park. Interpretive displays at the Barton Warnock Visitor Center and an historical tour of restored Fort Leaton are great options for hot days. The serpentine Hwy 170 that runs parallel from Lajitas to Presidio is one of the most exciting drives in the state with several places to stop along the way for amazing views or short hikes. The interior of the park (accessible only by high clearance vehicles) provides many opportunities for hiking, camping and mountain biking.