(432) 426-3337. Campsites available.
Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Davis Mountains State Park is located a mile above sea level. The increased rainfall and cooler temperatures up there makes for a more rugged terrain that is home to different flora and fauna than is seen in the surrounding Chihuahua Desert. Views are spectacular, and 9 miles of hiking trails await. Meandering up and down mountain ridges and valleys, the 4.5-mile Skyline Drive Trail is particularly scenic. If you don’t have the time or inclination to hike, you can alternatively drive up Skyline Drive road to a mountaintop observation area with 360-degree views. Two bird blinds allow observing the local avian life, and a nature center offers exhibits and a botanical garden.
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| outcrop at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Davis Mountains State Park is located a mile above sea level. The increased rainfall and cooler temperatures up there makes for a more rugged terrain that is home to different flora and fauna than is seen in the surrounding Chihuahua Desert. Views are spectacular, and 9 miles of hiking trails await. Meandering up and down mountain ridges and valleys, the 4.5-mile Skyline Drive Trail is particularly scenic. If you don’t have the time or inclination to hike, you can alternatively drive up Skyline Drive road to a mountaintop observation area with 360-degree views. Two bird blinds allow observing the local avian life, and a nature center offers exhibits and a botanical garden.
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| scenic overview at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
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| scenic overview at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
●Indian Lodge
16453 Park Rd. 3, (432) 426-3254. 39 rooms. Pool, hot tub. Restaurant. No smoking; no pets.
Built in 1933 by the CCC, the full-service, pueblo-style Indian Lodge hotel inhabits a hillside within the park boundaries. It is constructed with 40-pound earth blocks that form 18-inch-thick walls rising as high as 3 stories. Hand-hewn pine vigas and river cane latilla ceilings add rustic charm to the historic lobby and to room decor. Originally composed of just 15 rooms (they are now known as the highly desirable Historic Rooms), 24 additional rooms were added in the 1960s.
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| pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
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| pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
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| pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
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| guest room at pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
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| lobby at pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas |
●Black Bear Restaurant
offers breakfast and lunch year-round, Wednesday through Sunday. Along with a view of Keesey Canyon, it offers a simple menu and makes most of the salsas, soups, and desserts in house. I was pleased with my BLT, as were my companions with their burgers. Chicken fried steak and both red and green enchiladas were also options. A mural depicts the area and several black bears.
More things to do in Fort Davis.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
More things to do in Fort Davis.
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
Great ideas for travel adventures in the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Thx for this insider’s look at Fort Davis, Texas, Carole. It is not a destination I’ve visited, but I do love Texas.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great stay at Indian Lodge in Fort Davis. The landscape, while arid, has its own unique beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe Indian Lodge sure invites me. I wanted to see one of the Historic Rooms. And so with a Park a mile up in elevation. Fort Davis, Texas I haven't heard of.
ReplyDeleteThe Indian Lodge sure invites me. I wanted to see one of the Historic Rooms. And so with a Park a mile up in elevation. Fort Davis, Texas I haven't heard of.
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful and the landscape there is quite stunning - would love to visit some day.
ReplyDeleteI think I passed through Texas far too quickly. All I saw was mile after mile of flatness. Fort Davis looks like its worth at least an overnight stop for a hike.
ReplyDelete