|
|
|
Camping
& Local Lodges
At
an elevation of 5,050 feet, historic Fort Davis lies in
the scenic Davis Mountains. Of all of the small towns of
Texas, this is one of two (the other is Presidio) that
have such a distinct atmosphere that they call out for
revisiting. Many of its early frontier atmosphere has
been preserved, with a number of original; buildings, and
the longest remaining stretch of the famous Overland
Trail.
The
town has a charming town square surrounded by buildings
that date from the early 1900s. The old courthouse and
jail are still in business, except that the historic jail
has become the library. In fact, the little town is full
of historical landmarks, and the nearby mountains provide
plenty of recreational activities for outdoors
lovers.
What
to See & Do
The
Fort Davis National Historic Site preserves the
Overland Trail fort, constructed to protect travelers
migrating west. Names after Secretary of War Jefferson
Davis, the fort was active from 1854 to 1891 except
during the years of the Civil War. Troops based here were
involved in mapping the surrounding area, protected
stagecoaches moving through "Indian Country," guarded
railroad surveyors, and fought Comanche and other native
tribes. The ruins were acquired by the National Park
Service in 1961, and restored as an outstanding example
of a frontier military post. The visitor center is
located in a restored barracks, and includes exhibits on
the fort's early days, including a slide program.
McDonald
Observatory of the University of Texas is located 17
miles north of Fort Davis on Texas Highway 118. The site
is on top of Mt. Locke, at 6,800 feet above sea level.
The W.L. Moody Jr. Visitor' Information Center is open
daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Christmas, New
Year's Day, and Thanksgiving. Guided tours are given
daily, at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. You may take a self
guided tour between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Solar viewing, at
the Visitors' Center, is provided daily at 11 a.m. and
3:30 p.m. The observatory's Star Party -- telescope
viewing and tours of the night sky from the Public
Observatory at the Visitors' Center -- is held each
Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday except on Christmas Eve and
New Year's Eve in 1999. For up-to-date information on
activities and special events, including Star Party
times, visit the observatory's
website.
The
Davis Mountains form the most extensive mountain range in
Texas, formed by volcanic action about 65 million years
ago. Mescalero Apaches used the mountain valleys for
seasonal camping. In later years, Comanche and Kiowa also
camped in the mountains, using them as a refuge during
the Indian wars, from which they raided the pioneer
settlements and attacked Fort Davis.
Davis
Mountains State Park is situated four miles north of
Fort Davis (on TX 118), and is half-way between Big Bend
National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The
park covers 1,869 acres of scenic mountain country, with
camping facilities, picnic areas, hiking and walking
trails, and an extremely scenic skyline drive. Slide and
video programs are held in the park visitor center. At an
elevation of more than 5,000 feet, the park is
delightfully cool at nights, and the moderate weather
supports a wide range of trees and grasses, along with
desert vegetation. Most of the hills contain a typical
juniper-pinion pine woodland, mixed with oak., with
ponderosa pine at lower elevations. During wet years, the
lower elevations are covered with a beautiful wildflower
display. You'll also see Emery oak along Keesey Creek,
with native shrubs including evergreen and fragrant
sumac, Apache plum, tree cholla, Torrey yucca, catclaw
acacia, and agarito. The park's interpretive center
overlooks a wildlife watering station where many birds
gather, including bright blue scrub jays, curve-billed
thrashers, and white-winged doves. Rock squirrels are the
most frequently seen mammals.
The
northern half of the park has been designated the
Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, with ten miles of
backcountry trails, linking primitive campsites.
Developed facilities, located south of Highway 118,
include campsites with water, electricity and sewer
connections, picnic areas, an outdoor amphitheater,
children's playground, and a Texas Park Store. For those
who haven't reserved a site, camping availabilities are
posted each evening. The park is reached by taking Texas
Highway 17 from Fort Davis. After a mile, turn onto TX
118, and drive 3 miles to the park entrance. For camping
reservations, call (512) 389-8900. For general park
information, call the same number or 800-792-1112.
Indian
Lodge is an historic hotel inside Davis Mountains
State Park. The building was constructed by the Civilian
Conservation Corps during the early 1930s, and today
offers accommodations in 39 rooms, plus a restaurant and
heated swimming pool. This is the only state park hotel
operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and
is an outstanding example of a number of famous park
buildings (including several national park hotels)
influenced by Pueblo architecture. The areas's natural
resources, including local flagstone, volcanic rock,
ponderosa pine (beams) and Rio Grande cane (on the
ceilings) were utilized in construction. The adobe walls
are 18 inches thick. Reservations can be made one year in
advance and you are urged to make yours at least six
months before your trip to the mountains. Indian Lodge
closes during the second and third weeks of January, but
otherwise is open year-round. The restaurant is open from
7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with limited hours on Sunday.
To make reservations, call (915) 426-3254, or write
Indian Lodge, P.O. Box 1458, Fort Davis TX 79734.
Camping
& Local Accommodations
|
Overland
Trail Campground & RV Park
Box 788, Fort Davis TX 79734
(915) 426-2250 or 888-478-5267
This small RV park sits beside the Stone Village
Motel on combined highways 117 and 17, in the
middle of town. The RV park has a 27 hookups
(including sewer), with cable, including 20
pull-through sites for trailers. Facilities
include a laundry, hot showers, nine rustic
cabins, and tent sites.
Prude
Guest Ranch and RV Park
Box 1431, Fort Davis TX 79734
(915) 426-3202 or 800-458-6232
Located on Highway 118, north of the town and a
half-mile north of the entrance to Davis
Mountains State Park, the ranch offers horseback
riding, guest lodges and family cabins. The
facilities include an indoor pool and dining
room. This is a sizable operation, and its
location is perfect for horseback riders who can
take off onto scenic mountain trails.
Hotel
Limpia
Main Street on the Square, Box 822, Fort
Davis TX 79734
(915) 426-3237 or 800-662-5517
This historic hotel was built in 1912,
constructed of pink limestone. It has been
altered over the years, but retains its original
pioneer character. Now, the hotel occupies four
separate buildings, and the owners have recently
added a cottage on nearby Sleeping Lion
Mountain, and a 1903 Victorian adobe building
with three suites. The main hotel features
expansive porches and a glassed-in veranda with
mission rocking chairs and wicker furniture.
There is a herb garden and a lobby with two
Victorian parlors. The hotel's dining room is
the best place to eat in town. Even with these
amenities, you won't pay a fortune to stay in
this wonderfully historic place.
Indian
Lodge
P.O. Box 1458,Fort Davis TX 79734
(915) 426-3254
Readers of Texas Highways magazine voted
Indian Lodge the top accommodations in Texas. It
is the only hotel operated by Texas Parks and
Wildlife, and a visit to Big Bend Country is not
complete without at least visiting the lodge.
Far better to stay for at least one night, and
the experience may be addictive. This building
-- constructed in the style of a multi-level
Native American pueblo village -- is an absolute
marvel. Built during the depression of the 1930s
by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the
structure has 18-inch thick adobe walls, using
native wood and rocks for its interior
construction and decor. Ponderosa pine beams lie
high above the lobby floor, with latilla
covering the ceilings.
This
is a full-service hotel with an excellent dining
room, swimming pool, air conditioning, and
hiking and walking trails nearby. Located in
Davis Mountains State Park, the hotel is a
perfect place from which to explore the park,
the McDonald Observatory, and the scenery of the
nearby mountains and desert. A trail leads
cross-country to Fort Davis National Historic
Site. The lodge is located a few miles north of
Fort Davis, via TX 118. It is 200 miles east of
El Paso and about 150 miles southwest of Odessa
and Midland. To the south is Big Bend National
Park.
The
lodge is open year-round with the exception of
the second and third weeks of January. Holidays
are celebrated with special meals and
activities. The busiest season is March through
August and reservations are essential if you
wish to stay during this period. Reservations
are accepted a year in advance and you should
plan several months in advance to stay here. The
hotel restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
and room service is available.
Paradise
Mountain Ranch (B and B)
HCR-74, Box 56, Fort Davis TX 79734
(915) 426-3737 or 800-738-3320
This is a real working ranch, with visitors
being able to indulge in authentic range riding,
including spring and fall round-ups, or to take
customized trail rides through the surrounding
valley and mountains. The ranch is located 15
miles west of Fort Davis, off TX 166. Jenny and
Rusty Wofford are the owners.
The
Veranda Bed and Breakfast
210 Court Avenue, Box 1238, Fort Davis TX
97934
(915) 426-2233
All rooms have private baths in this historic
country inn, located right in Fort Davis. The
building is an adobe structure with 12-foot
ceilings and hardwood floors. A full breakfast
is served to overnight guests. The large rooms
and suites are furnished with antiques, and the
large grounds feature courtyards and gardens.
Included on the property is a separate carriage
house with kitchen and living room.
|
|
|
