Fort Davis, West Texas: Fort Davis National Historic Site; things to do

Fort Davis National Historic Site  

4 miles NW of town.  (432) 426-3224.  Daily 8am-5pm.  Fee.

overview of Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas

The volcanic Davis Mountains--the most extensive mountain range in Texas--and the Fort Davis National Historic Site appear like a mirage after driving a while through the vast, empty, parched desert that surrounds the area.  Rocky outcroppings were once home to Apache Indians, who made continuous raids on the soldiers.  The U.S. Army tamed the wild Texas frontier here and opened it up for settlement.  Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples in the Southwest of an Indian Wars' frontier military post.  This strategically located fort protected emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail from 1854 to 1891.  The fort was also home to the Buffalo Soldiers, who, even though they were highly praised, ran into prejudice and racial disharmony and resided in segregated barracks.  The fort was abandoned in 1891 and became a National Park in 1961.  A small museum is inside the visitor center.

buildings at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas

John Heiner, Chief of Interpretation, talks about a cannon
at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas

Buffalo Soldier barracks at Fort Davis National Historic Site
in Fort Davis, West Texas

Officers Quarters at Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, West Texas

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

Fort Davis, West Texas: Overnight stay in Davis Mountains State Park; hotel review; restaurant review; things to do

Overnight stay in Davis Mountains State Park

Davis Mountains State Park  

(432) 426-3337.  Campsites available. 

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. 

scenic overview at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas

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. 

pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas

pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas

pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park in Fort Davis, Texas

guest room at pueblo-style Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park
in Fort Davis, Texas

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

Fort Davis, West Texas: Perfect Overnight in Unassuming Fort Davis; hotel review; restaurant reviews

Perfect Overnight in Unassuming Fort Davis, Texas

Stone Village Tourist Camp  

509 N. State St., (432) 426-3941.  Pool.  

Constructed from converted 1935 CCC buildings, this old-time motel has been spiffed up a bit but you can still park your car right in front of your room.  Guests at Stone Village Tourist Camp have a choice of renting a regular room with the expected amenities, or in good weather of sleeping in a tiny “camp room” that is fitted into an indention in the building and at the open end is covered just by a screen.  The property is cozy, comfy, and clean, with old-time chenille bedspreads and ceiling fans.  An inviting pool is shaped a bit like a heart, and several outdoor sitting areas invite relaxation.

exterior of rooms at Stone Village Tourist Camp in Fort Davis, Texas

interior of guest room at Stone Village Tourist Camp in Fort Davis, Texas

heart-shaped pool at Stone Village Tourist Camp in Fort Davis, Texas

Davis Mountains Nut Company  

Across the street, this shop purveys a variety of really good local pecans.  My favorite is the one dipped in milk chocolate, which they happened to be making in the back the day I walked in.  The shop smelled so good and the staff was so upbeat and friendly that I wound up purchasing some for a snack and some to take back as a gift.

candy-making at Davis Mountains Nut Company in Fort Davis, Texas

candied pralines for sale at Davis Mountains Nut Company in Fort Davis, Texas

Blue Mountain Bar & Grill 

Down the street at the Blue Mountain Bar & Grill, I enjoyed a cup of delicious tomato-basil bisque with a dinner of Norwegian salmon in a fresh herb cream sauce.  Salads, steaks, and a burger as well as root beer-bacon-wrapped quail are also options.

popular bar at Blue Mountain Bar & Grill in Fort Davis, Texas

busy dining room at Blue Mountain Bar & Grill in Fort Davis, Texas

chicken-fried steak at Blue Mountain Bar & Grill in Fort Davis, Texas

Stone Village Market  

Next door, this is the place to go for snacks, provisions, and breakfast.  You’ll rub elbows with locals here, because the coffee bar serves the good stuff, and the deli serves up oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and fragrant housemade cinnamon buns. 

exterior of Stone Village Market in Fort Davis, Texas

interior of Stone Village Market in Fort Davis, Texas

all about Nitro Iced Coffee at Stone Village Market in Fort Davis, Texas

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

Fort Davis, West Texas: McDonald Observatory; things to do

McDonald Observatory  

16 miles NW of town, (877) 984-7827, (432) 426-3640.  Visitor Center and cafe:  daily 10am-5:30.  Tours daily at 11am & 2pm.  

Star parties on Tu, F, Sat evenings.  Programs $5-$15, under 5 free.  Reservations required.  No pets.

McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas;
image by Ethan Tweedie Photography, courtesy of venue

One of the world’s premiere observatories, this renowned University of Texas at Austin astronomical facility offers daytime tours and spectacular star parties at night.  This area of Texas features some of the darkest night skies in the nation (this area is classified as a “Class 1 Dark Sky”--as dark as it gets), permitting clear views of the stars and planets.  After the seated portion of the outdoor star party in a amphitheater, visitors move to another area to view the night skies through several McDonald Observatory telescopes, including the technologically advanced Hobby-Eberly telescope, where people will be asking things like, “Is this the right line for Saturn?”  Note that it can get quite cold up on Mt. Locke and Mt Fowlkes, so dress warmly.  One generous lady in my group of four treated us all to ponchos, neck scarfs, beanies, and even gloves--all purchased at a nearby dollar store.  Star Parties always occur outside--even if it rains.  But if it's too cloudy, rainy, windy, dusty, or humid, an indoor program is substituted.

ladies dressed for a star party at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas

More about dark skies.

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. 

first image, courtesy of venue

second image, photographer unknown