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Chihuahuan
Desert
Nature Center & Botanical Gardens
 The
Chihuahuan Desert Nature
Center and Botanical Gardens is located on
507-acres, four miles south of Fort Davis on Highway 118. The Center is in a
marvelous setting, with views of Mt. Livermore to the north and Blue Mountain
to the southwest.
"The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert
Research Institute is to promote public awareness, appreciation, and concern
for the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert through research and
education programs."
Known to locals as CDRI, the Center is home to a Visitor's Center, the Leapin' Lizard Gift Shop, an arboretum, and the cactus and succulent
greenhouse with over 200 species of Chihuahuan Desert cacti. For those who
enjoy hiking, the CDRI offers two, moderately strenuous hikes: the Modesta
Canyon Trail, a one-hour hike down a protected canyon to Modesta Canyon
Springs, and the Clayton's Overlook hike with spectacular views of the
surrounding territory. (432) 364-2499. The CDRI
is open Monday though Saturday 9 - 5. e-mail:
choyt@cdri.org
Davis
Mountains State Park
Davis
Mountains State Park is nestled in the foothills of the
beautiful Davis Mountains, also referred to as “the Alps of
Texas.” The park is located only four miles northwest of the
historic community of Fort Davis. Davis Mountains SP provides
many opportunities for recreational activities, including
hiking, camping, mountain biking and equestrian use. It is also
a premier spot for bird watching.
With an elevation more than a mile high, desert plains
grasslands intermingle with trees typical of the higher
mountains, such as piñon, juniper, and oak. Two seasonal creeks,
Keesey and Limpia, run through the park and provide important
riparian habitat, including extensive cottonwood galleries in
the park’s Primitive Area. These diverse habitats attract a wide
variety of animals. The park’s newly renovated interpretive
center is open daily and is a prime bird watching venue. Located
within the park is the magnificent
Indian Lodge, a beautiful pueblo style building built in the
1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Lodge offers 39
remodeled rooms and is also the home of the Black Bear
Restaurant. The park’s campground offers full hook-ups, water &
electric, and water only sites. Primitive and equestrian
campsites are also available. Additionally, the park offers for
rent a group picnic area and amphitheater. Open daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Headquarters open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. TX
Hwy. 17 to TX Hwy. 118 N. Please call (512) 389-8982 for future
reservations and information or 432-426-3337 (RV and Campsites), 432-426-3254 (lodge
reservations); if arriving today. Admission: $6
per adult for day use fees; Children 12 & under free
Fort
Davis National Historic Site
 Fort Davis National Historic
Site, along Texas Highways 17 - 118 at the foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and
Hospital Canyon, is considered perhaps the best preserved of all the 19th
Century frontier forts and one of the best preserved "Buffalo Soldier"
forts in the west. The site is well maintained and thoughtfully restored with
interpretive and historical displays, an excellent book shop and a museum.
Partially restored and fully restored buildings are scattered throughout the 474
acre grounds. Some have period furnishings. Military hobbyists and historians
from all over the country visit the Davis Mountains specifically to see the
Fort. Three hiking trails climb from the Fort, with two links to the hiking
trail at Davis Mountains State Park. Small plaques explain natural features and
their value to the Fort when it was active. Self guided tours daily. Admission
is $3 per person. Hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Closed:
Christmas Day- December 25
New Years
Day - January 1
Martin Luther
King Jr. Birthday Observed - Third Monday in January - Jan.16,2006
Thanksgiving
Day - Last Thursday in November - Nov. 30, 2006
For more info: Please call: (432)-426-3224
H.E.
Sproul Ranch
 Visit
the oldest family owned and operated ranch in Jeff Davis
County. Located 7 ½ miles from Fort Davis at 1900 Sproul Rd.,
this historic working cattle ranch also offers upscale guest
accommodations, meeting facilities, custom pool, jeep tours,
trap and skeet and hunting, all surrounded by spectacular
scenery. Visit
www.sproulranch.com or call 432-426-2500 for more
information.
Historic Walking/Driving Tour
Venture out
among the community and view 23 historic sites. At just 1 ½
miles long this is a journey that starts and ends in the town
square. The tour encompasses the longest section of the unpaved
Overland-Butterfield mail route.
Click here
for a printable version.
 Indian
Lodge, the pueblo-style adobe hotel built in the 1930s by the Civilian
Conservation Corps, offers pleasant accommodations, a pool, landscaped grounds
and patios, and a "The Black Bear" restaurant. Some rooms have
handmade furniture. Indian Lodge has 39 rooms, which are often booked months in
advance.
Please call (512) 389-8982 for future reservations and
information or 432-426-3254 if arriving today.
McDonald
Observatory
The observatory's three largest instruments are the 362"
Hobby-Eberly telescope on 6,600-foot Mount Fowlkes , the
107" Harlan J. Smith and 82" Otto Struve telescopes located
on 6,800-foot Mt. Locke . The observatory is located just 17
miles from Fort Davis on Texas Highway 118 and under one of
the darkest night skies in all the United States.
Operated by the University of Texas at Austin , the
observatory has several large research telescopes and hosts
astronomers from around the world. Self-guided tours are
possible from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Solar viewing sessions
are conducted twice daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 p.m.9
(reservations required) Daily
tours follow Solar Viewing.
The
observatory has evening Star Parties on Tuesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays (reservations are not required) which are led by knowledgeable staffers. A
star party show cases interesting stars, planets, and other
astronomical objects, including live views through
telescopes from 8 to 22 inches in size. The observatory is
closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year¹s Day. Bring a
jacket, since the mountain air cools quickly.
A gift shop featuring astronomy related merchandise, and the
Star Date Cafe are located in the visitor’s center. For more
information please call (432) 426-3640 Toll Free
1-877-984-7827
or visit their website at
http://McDonaldObservatory.org Accurate
information for opening hours and tours can be found at
http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/visitors/programs/
Click here
for the Astronomy picture of
the day!
Overland Trail Museum
 on
Fort and 3rd Streets. The museum is located on the historic San Antonio-El Paso
Road/Southern Overland Trail. It contains many unique and varied displays
depicting early life in the West including the original Valentine Post Office
and telephone switchboard, early medical paraphernalia, a restored pioneer
settlers kitchen, an original curling machine, and numerous early photographs of
pioneer settlers and buildings. Special tours may be arranged by contacting Pat
Draheim (432) 426-3404. The Museum is owned and operated by The Fort Davis
Historical Society. HOURS: 1 pm to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on
Mondays, closed December, January and February. Educational programs and guided
tours available. Donations Accepted.
The Gallery at Fort Davis Drug Store
This Fine Art gallery is located upstairs above the Fort Davis
 Drug Store in
downtown Fort Davis, Texas. The Drug Store has long-been a gathering place since
it’s humble beginnings in 1913. It has been operating in the current building
since 1951. The Gallery was added in the spring of 2011 to the existing Hotel,
Gift Shop, Restaurant, and Soda Fountain. The Gallery features local artists,
and local art of the Big Bend Region, showcasing the art of several well known
artists who make their home in the Fort Davis area including Wayne Baize, Bill
Davis, Tim Roberts, Mike Capron, Mary Ann Luedecke and resident artist Patty
Moreland. For more information check out the web site
http://thegalleryatfortdavisdrugstore.com or
our Facebook page: The Gallery at Fort Davis Drug Store.
Contact: 512-627-5943 or email
pathazel@yahoo.com.
The Nature Conservancy of Texas
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About 10 miles north of the
McDonald Observatory on Hwy 118 North (Davis Mountains Preserve). A non-profit
wildlife conservation organization, using science-based research and a
non-confrontational approach to protect the unique diversity of animals and
plants native to our state. The Madera Canyon Trail adjacent to the Lawrence E.
Wood Picnic Area is open from dawn to dusk year-round
(432) 426-2390
The
Scenic Loop Drive
Fort Davis is the starting point for one of the most scenic and uncrowned
drives in Texas and
America. Seventy-five miles long, the drive leaves Fort Davis on Texas 118,
proceeds up Limpia Canyon past Mts. Locke and Fowlkes and the McDonald
Observatory and then into Madera Canyon and a quiet, pine shaded picnic area.
After a left turn on Texas 166, the road passes Mt. Livermore and Sawtooth
Mountain, then gradually descends past a prominent ridge lined with wind
generators toward the southeast side of the mountains, with broad views to the
Sierra Viejo Mountains along the Rio Grande to the south. As you approach Fort
Davis again on Texas 166, the Puertacita Mountains and Miter Peak are straight
ahead.
Highest elevation on the Loop
is about 6700 feet, making it the highest public highway in Texas. About 1.5
hours to drive
Click here for map.
Other Area Attractions:
Balmorhea
State Park
38 Miles NE of Fort Davis on TX Hwy. 17 The park's main attraction is a large
(77,053 sq. ft.) artesian spring pool
that is open daily and fed by San Solomon Springs. The springs also fill a 'cienega'
(desert wetland) and the canals of a refugium, a home to endangered fish
species, assorted invertebrates, and turtles. The pool differs from most public
pools in several respects: the 1 3/4-acre size, the 25-foot depth and the 72 to
76 degree constant temperature. For complete information about visiting or
staying at the park contact them at (432)
375-2370 or visit
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/balmorhea .
The Chinati Foundation
1 Calvary
Road, Marfa, Texas 79843. The Chinati foundation/La Fundacion
Chinati is a contemporary art Museum founded by the artist
Donald Judd. The collection includes work by twelve artists and
focuses on permanent, large-scale installations with an emphasis
on the relationship between art, architecture, and the
surrounding landscape. The museum is located in Marfa, Texas
with exhibitions occupying the grounds and buildings of the
former army base, Ft. D.A. Russell, as well as the former Wool
and Mohair building, situated in the center of town. Most of the
artwork is accessible by guided tour only. Several tour options
varying in length and scope are offered Wednesday through Sunday
and include all or part of the permanent collection and special
exhibitions. Advance reservations are required to guarantee
admission. Visit
www.chinati.org for tour
information and to purchase tickets. Donald Judd's outdoor
installation, 15 untitled works in concrete, is available for
open viewing Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
free of charge. Reservations are not required to visit this
installation. First check in with office please. artists in the
permanent collection include Carl Andre, Ingolfur Arnarsson,
John Chamberlain, Dan Flavin, Roni Horn, Donald Judd, Ilya
Kabakov, Richard Long, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen,
David Rabinowitch, and John Wesley. For more information contact
the museum at (432) 729-4362 or
information@chinati.org
Marfa
Lights
Less than 25 miles from Fort Davis you may view one of the few "Unsolved
Mysteries" of our west Texas skies. National Geographic couldn't explain
them, The University of Texas can't explain them, The TV series "Unsolved
Mysteries" could not explain them, but every year since the 19th century .
. . plain ole Texas folks have been explaining them to thousands of onlookers.
Are they UFO's? Mirages? Secret military tests? Magnetic energy? Static
electricity? Who Knows? Come see 'em and see if you can explain them!
Museum of the Big Bend
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For more than 70 years the
Museum of the Big Bend has been collecting and exhibiting
artifacts of the vast Big Bend region. Encompassing the
Davis Mountains and the borderlands of Mexico, the Big Bend
has been inhabited for over 11,000 years. The Museum of the
Big Bend's goal is to showcase this human history and
culture reflected through the contributions of the Native
Americans, the Spanish, the Mexicans and the Americans. The
Museum is located at the northeast corner of the Sul Ross
State University campus and can be reached from Entrance Two
on U.S. Highway 90 or Entrance Four from Harrison Street.
Once on campus, follow the small, brown signs. Admission is
free. Donations are always welcomed. Tuesday – Saturday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on Monday’s. The museum is handicap
accessible. Guided Tours are available by appointment. For
more information, call: 432.837.8143 or 432.837.8730.
Glider Rides 
Take a scenic glider ride or schedule flying lessons with our FAA Flight Instructors. The enclosed
glider cockpit has two seats - one for you and one for your pilot. Soaring is safe and fun for the entire family. Since 1967 the Big Bend
has hosted several US National Soaring contests and the 1970 World Soaring Competition that established
Texas
as a premier area for exceptional flying conditions.
Marfa Gliders is located on
the Marfa Airport on Highway 17, just 18 miles south of Fort Davis, and 3 miles north of Marfa. We fly year-round by appointment.
Call 800-667-9464,
www.flygliders.com
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