Here’s a handy guide courtesy of Trans-Pecos Bird Conservation Inc. with information on local spots that you can visit on your next bird outing.
Birding Sites BrochureActivities
Birding
Trans-Pecos Bird Conservation, Inc.
Director Cecilia Riley
Manages the Davis Mountains Hummingbird Festival
Cycling
On a clear day in far West Texas, you can see forever and most of our days are clear. If you’re on a bicycle, you can ride forever. The mountains and plains around Fort Davis are a road rider’s paradise, with especially nice rides for those who can ride 50 to 100 miles daily. The classic ride is around the Scenic Loop. The Scenic Loop mileage is about 75 miles. The elevation change is dramatic–from about 5,000 feet in town to a max of 6,270 with lots of ups and downs of several hundred feet in-between. No, you’re not in Houston anymore. Other scenic rides take you from Fort Davis to Alpine and back, or to Marfa and back. A shorter ride with less challenging but still gorgeous terrain is a ride north from Fort Davis on Texas 118 to the base of Mt. Locke (with the twin observatories on top) and back again. Make sure you ride through Davis Mountains State Park as well. The Permian Basin Bicycle Association sponsors the annual Fort Davis Cyclefest ride which is held the third weekend in September. For details, call (432) 699-1718.
Most privately owned land, and Fort Davis National Historical Site do not allow riding off the pavement, mountain biking opportunities are limited. However, the Prude Guest Ranch has about five miles of trails open to mountain biking. Guests at the ranch may use the trails at no charge. For details, call 1-800-458-6232. Davis Mountains State Park has a 3.5 mile mountain biking trail for experienced bikers. Check out this page for more information about biking in the Big Bend region.
Bicycle Rental and Mobile Shop – State of Mind Texas
Contact for rentals, tours, or assistance
Glider Rides
Marfa Gliders Soaring Center
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 at 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.
Visit our Facebook page.
Hiking/Walking
The majority of land in the Davis Mountains is privately owned, which limits opportunities for hiking. However, there are still great trails that should satisfy all but the most demanding hiker.
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
The mission of the Buffalo Trail Council is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Established in 1947, the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves, on average, more than 3,000 youth annually across 18 West Texas counties.
Our camping programs are nationally recognized and located among the best scenery found in West Texas. Pay a visit to Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch and you’re likely to be impressed by its rugged beauty. Mountains that spire toward a deep blue sky, fresh air scented by desert flowers, and quiet star-filled nights – it’s Boy Scout heaven!
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens
Located 4 miles SE from Fort Davis on Hwy 118, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens is comprised of 507 acres of semi-desert grasslands and igneous rock outcrops with a riparian canyon and spectacular views from all
directions. Visitors may explore the nearly 5 miles of hiking trails which range
from the more strenuous Modesta Canyon Trail that leads into a hidden canyon
with its year-round spring, to the moderate Clayton’s Overlook Trail which
provides a 360-degree hilltop view plus a Geology Exhibit, to a combination of
other adventurous trails.
Inside the fenced Botanical Gardens enjoy the stroll along the ½-mile Trans-Pecos
Natives Path, as well as take in the sights at the Pollinator Garden and Overlook,
the Scenic Vista Trail, the Native Grasses exhibit, and over 200 species and
subspecies of Chihuahuan Desert cacti at the Maxie Templeton Cactus Museum
Collection.
Discover grassland birds at the Bird Blind with its 30-ft. long water feature, learn
about the mining of the Big Bend Region at the Mining Heritage Exhibit, and enjoy the
Powell Visitor Center and Gift Shop.
Open Mon-Sat. 9-5; Sundays 12:30-5:00.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day.
Adults: $6.50 each; Children 12 and under: Free
432-364-2499
www.cdri.org
Davis Mountains State Park
Developed facilities south of State Highway 118 include restrooms with and without showers; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, sewer, and cable TV connection. The northern half of the park, north of State Highway 118, has been designated, the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, a special use area (fee required). Currently, it includes 11 miles of back country hiking and equestrian trails with primitive campsites, a secured parking area, a host campsite.
For Reservations, call (512) 389-8900.
Visit our Facebook page.
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis was an active military post from 1854 to 1891. It is one of the best surviving examples of a frontier military post in the Southwest. An entrance fee is charged at the Visitors’ Center.
The Fort Davis National Historic Site has four miles of hiking trails, including the section of trail that links to the Davis Mountains State Park. A map is available at the visitor’s center. The trails mostly climb through the striking rock formations of Sleeping Lion Mountain, with splendid vistas as the trail climbs. Interpretive signs along some trails identify vegetation and other natural features.
Hours: 8am to 5pm
Closed on the following days:
Christmas Day – December 25
New Years Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observed – Third Monday in January
Thanksgiving Day – Last Thursday in November
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.
As you follow the walking tour, you travel parts of this historic Overland Trail as it winds from the southeast edge of town, along Fort Street, and into Fort Davis National Historic Site. Fort Davis boasts the longest unpaved section of the San Antonio-El Paso Road still in existence.
Click here for a printable version.
Click here for a map of the entire Scenic Loop.
Jeff Davis County Park
The park offers an excellent opportunity to picnic, walk, jog, fly a kite, and more. There is a children’s play area, ballpark, soccer field and restrooms. All pets must be kept on a leash & cleaned up after.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Prude Guest Ranch
Located 6 miles north on Hwy. 118 on the historic Prude Ranch. Indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, Ropes Challenge Course and scheduled horseback rides for guests and other visitors, upon reservation. Dining room with buffet meal service. Conference facilities. Children’s Summer Camp.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Rocking W Ranch
Primitive cabin and campsites, with guide services available.
One site for electrical hook-up with water for travel trailers and fifth wheels.
Contact: Tom Lee Waterston
The Nature Conservancy of Texas
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.
Visit our Facebook page.
Horseback Riding
With working ranches that still use cowboys on horseback, Fort Davis is surely Texas’ premier horse country. Visitors who want to ride have four choices; all offer excellent saddle horses and guides.
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
The mission of the Buffalo Trail Council is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Established in 1947, the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves, on average, more than 3,000 youth annually across 18 West Texas counties.
Our camping programs are nationally recognized and located among the best scenery found in West Texas. Pay a visit to Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch and you’re likely to be impressed by its rugged beauty. Mountains that spire toward a deep blue sky, fresh air scented by desert flowers, and quiet star-filled nights – it’s Boy Scout heaven!
Davis Mountains State Park
Developed facilities south of State Highway 118 include restrooms with and without showers; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, sewer, and cable TV connection. The northern half of the park, north of State Highway 118, has been designated, the Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, a special use area (fee required). Currently, it includes 11 miles of back country hiking and equestrian trails with primitive campsites, a secured parking area, a host campsite.
For Reservations, call (512) 389-8900.
Visit our Facebook page.
Prude Guest Ranch
Located 6 miles north on Hwy. 118 on the historic Prude Ranch. Indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, Ropes Challenge Course and scheduled horseback rides for guests and other visitors, upon reservation. Dining room with buffet meal service. Conference facilities. Children’s Summer Camp.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Hunting
Davis Mountains State Park and Fort Davis National Historical Site — do not allow hunting. All hunting occurs on the private ranches in the area, there is great bird hunting as well as exotic and native game hunting.
H.E. Sproul Ranch
Located 7 ½ miles from Fort Davis at 1900 Sproul Rd., the H.E. Sproul Ranch is a historic working cattle ranch offering guest suites, catering and meeting facilities. All suites offer the latest amenities, including refrigerator, microwave, satellite tv, dvd player, coffeepot, internet access, pillow-top mattresses and quality linens.
Other activities available at the ranch include:
use of the hot-tub and swimming pool
Hunting
The Ranch offers more free range hunting opportunities for West Texas game than any other ranch in the area. Texas elk hunts offer an experience few other hunters have ever enjoyed. We also offer trophy and management mule deer hunts, as well as aoudad, turkey, antelope, javelina and blue quail hunts. Every hunt offered at the ranch allows access to spectacular scenery and gives the hunter an experience to be remembered. All hunts are fully guided and meals and accommodations are provided at the Ranch. Prices are available upon request. For more information on hunting, please contact Roy Hurley at rhurley@sproulranch.com.
Jeff Davis County Park
The park offers an excellent opportunity to picnic, walk, jog, fly a kite, & more.
The park offers a children’s play area, ballpark, soccer field & restrooms. All pets must be kept on a leash & cleaned up after. Open daily 7am to 10:00pm
RV Parks & Camping
RV’s and Camping are extremely popular among visitors (take a look up at the stars here and you’ll understand why). Tent and RV campsites are available at several locations in the area.
Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch
The mission of the Buffalo Trail Council is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Established in 1947, the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves, on average, more than 3,000 youth annually across 18 West Texas counties.
Our camping programs are nationally recognized and located among the best scenery found in West Texas. Pay a visit to Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch and you’re likely to be impressed by its rugged beauty. Mountains that spire toward a deep blue sky, fresh air scented by desert flowers, and quiet star-filled nights – it’s Boy Scout heaven!
Rocking W Ranch
Primitive cabin and campsites, with guide services available.
One site for electrical hook-up with water for travel trailers and fifth wheels.
Contact: Tom Lee Waterston
Scenic Loop Drive
Fort Davis is the starting point for one of the most scenic and un-crowded 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, 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.
Swimming
Balmorhea State Park – Balmorhea, TX
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s the park offers 32 campsites, with water, water and electric or water, electric and cable. Restrooms and showers nearby. For reservations call (512) 389-8900 (Austin).
Visit our Facebook page.
Prude Guest Ranch
Located 6 miles north on Hwy. 118 on the historic Prude Ranch. Indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, Ropes Challenge Course and scheduled horseback rides for guests and other visitors, upon reservation. Dining room with buffet meal service. Conference facilities. Children’s Summer Camp.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Stone Village Tourist Camp
This 1935 “tourist court” has 14 rooms of which two are suites, plus 6 “camp rooms” easily described as a step above camping complete with two twin beds made with thick comforters and full showers and bath facilities down the porch from your room. All of the motel rooms have flat screen TVs. The seasonal swimming pool, not heated, was completed in the summer of 2007 which is located off of a patio with a fire pit and landscaped area for relaxation. Located in the middle of Fort Davis. Non Smoking. Pet friendly.
Office hours are 8AM -10PM daily.
Tennis
Prude Guest Ranch
Located 6 miles north on Hwy. 118 on the historic Prude Ranch. Indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, Ropes Challenge Course and scheduled horseback rides for guests and other visitors, upon reservation. Dining room with buffet meal service. Conference facilities. Children’s Summer Camp.
Office Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Tour Guide
West Texas Tour & Transport
Transporting tourists and locals across West Texas. Call Steve to set up your transport today!
- Midland/ El Paso/ Private Airport Transportation
- Amtrak Train Packages
- Connections to McDonald Observatory Tours
- Non-Emergency Medical Transport
- Area Orientation Tours
- Connections to Overnight Big Bend Outfitter Tours
