Davis Mountains State Park
Things to Do
Activities include camping, sightseeing, nature study, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, day and overnight equestrian use, mountain biking, and interpretive programs. Attractions include scenic drives, two scenic overlooks, and and 12 miles of hiking trails, some of which connect with Fort Davis National Historic Site. Stargazing after closed hours on Skyline Drive is allowed; registration required at headquarters - activity fee applies.
Within Davis Mountains State Park is the Indian Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the early 1930s. Indian Lodge has 39 rooms, a restaurant and a swimming pool (for Indian Lodge guests only), meeting rooms, a Texas State Park Store, and 24-hour staffing.
Equestrian
Seven miles of trails in beautiful Limpia Canyon Primitive Area are available for equestrian use. Visitors must provide their own horses. The trail takes riders from 4,900 feet at Limpia Creek to over 5,700 feet at a scenic overlook. The terrain is rugged, with excellent scenic views of the Davis Mountains. The Chinati Mountains, roughly 50 miles away, can be viewed toward the southwest. There are six primitive equestrian campsites in the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area.
Ranger Programs
The park offers a variety of educational opportunities. Check the calendar of events or contact the park for special tours.
There is an interpretive center that overlooks the wildlife watering station where scrub jays, white-wing doves, curve-billed thrashers, and rock squirrels are among the most common wildlife seen.
Get more information on the Civilian Conservation Corps, which helped develop this park and numerous others over 70 years ago, by visiting our CCC page that includes the interactive online exhibits and education resource, “The Look of Nature: Designing Texas State Parks During the Great Depression” and “A New Deal for Texas Parks."
Area Attractions
Indian Lodge is located within Davis Mountains State Park. Other nearby attractions include Big Bend Ranch State Park; Fort Leaton State Historic Site and the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center/Museum at Lajitas; Fort Davis National Historic Site; the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and Visitors' Center; McDonald Observatory; and a 74-mile scenic loop through the Davis Mountains. Nearby are scenic Limpia, Madera and Musquiz canyons; Camino del Rio; the ghost town of Shafter; and 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 website at http://www.fortdavis.com/.
