| History: Davis Mountains State Park, 2708.9 acres in size, is located in Jeff Davis County, four miles northwest of Fort Davis, approximately halfway between Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, & Big Bend National Park. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department by a local family. Original improvements were accomplished by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933; the park has been open to the public in since the late 1930s; formal campground facilities were added in 1967.
History: The Davis Mountains, the most extensive mountain range in Texas, were formed by volcanic activity during the Tertiary geologic period, which began around 65 million years ago. These mountains were named after Jefferson Davis, U.S. Secretary of War & later President of the Confederacy, who ordered the construction of the Fort Davis army post. Most Indian bands passed through the Davis Mountains, although the Mescalero Apaches made seasonal camps. As west Texas settlements increased, raiding in Mexico & along the San Antonio-El Paso Trail became a way of life for Apaches, Kiowas, & Comanches. Few Americans had seen the Davis Mountains prior to 1846. After the war with Mexico, a wave of gold seekers, settlers, & traders came through the area & needed the protection of a military post - Fort Davis. Fort Davis was active from 1854 until 1891, except for certain periods during the Civil War. In 1961, the historic fort ruins were declared a National Historic Site, & a vast restoration/preservation program was initiated by the National Park Service.
Activities: Activities include camping, sightseeing, nature study, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, day-use equestrian, mountain biking, & interpretive programs. Attractions include scenic drives, two scenic overlooks, & four miles of hiking trails connecting with Fort Davis National Historical Park. Stargazing after closed hours on Skyline Drive is allowed; registration required at headquarters - activity fee applies.
Facilities: The northern half of the park, north of State Highway 118, has been designated the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, a special use area (fee required). Currently, it includes ten miles of backcountry hiking trails with primitive campsites, a secured parking area, a host campsite. Developed facilities south of State Highway 118 include restrooms with & without showers; campsites with water; campsites with H2O & electricity; campsites with H2O, electricity, sewer, & cable TV connection; a group picnic area with tables, an outdoor amphitheater (capacity 200 - no fee); picnic sites; a playground; an interpretive center (staffed by volunteers); nine miles of hiking trails (not including the Limpia Creek Primitive Area) ; & a Texas State Park Store. Special rates are available (Contact the park for information). A self-registration station is available at the headquarters for visitors arriving after office hours and/or park host duty hours. Campsite availability & status information are posted each evening.
Within Davis Mountains State Park is the Indian Lodge, built by the (CCC) during the early 1930s. Indian Lodge has 39 rooms, a restaurant, & a swimming pool (for Indian Lodge guests only), meeting rooms, a Texas State Park Store, & 24-hour staffing.
Flora/Fauna: Extremes of altitude averaging 1-mile high produce both plains grasslands & pinyon juniper-oak woodlands. Montezuma quail, usually farther west, are regularly observed in the park. Scattered stands of ponderosa & the more common pinyon pine, mixed with oak & juniper, cover higher elevations. During wet years, the park abounds in wildflowers. Emory & gray oak & one-seed juniper are the most common trees in the park. Emory oak is predominant along Keesey Creek. Scarlet bouvardia, little-leaf leadtree, trompillo, evergreen sumac, fragrant sumac, Apache plum, little walnut, treecholla, Torrey yucca, catclaw acacia, & agarito are conspicuous shrubs, some of which flower abundantly.
The interpretive center overlooks the wildlife watering station where scrub jays, white-wing doves, curve-billed thrashers, & rock squirrels are among the most common wildlife seen.
Directions: The park is reached by traveling one mile north of Fort Davis on State Highway 17 to State Highway 118N, then west on State Highway 118N for three miles to Park Road three entrance.
Elevation, Weather, & Schedule Information: Elevation: 5000 - 6000 Average rainfall: 18.9 Weather: Winters are often below freezing. Summers have hot days, usually low humidity, & cool nights. Temperatures drop dramatically after sunset, so bring a jacket year-round. The Davis Mountains area is greener & supports grasses & trees along with expected desert plants. The mile-high altitude provides cool, pleasant summer weather & crisp nights. Winter visitors may be treated to an occasional snowfall over the scenic landscape. The Northern Chihuahuan Desert encompasses Fort Davis & the surrounding area. Check our Calendar of Events for scheduled hunting restrictions.
Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Big Bend Ranch State Park; Fort Leaton State Historic Site & the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center/Museum at Lajitas; Fort Davis National Historic Site, the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute & Visitors' Center, McDonald Observatory, & a 74-mile scenic loop through the Davis Mountains. Nearby are scenic Limpia, Madera & Musquiz canyons; Camino del Rio; the ghost town of Shafter; Sul Ross State University in Alpine, site of the Museum of the Big Bend. The Marfa Mystery Lights are a short drive away. For information on the community of Fort Davis, visit the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce. |
Campground: Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis Texas *