Davis Mountains State Park Camping

Learn About The Native Plant Life

One of the delightful touches found while hiking the trails in and around the state park is the fact that someone has labeled many of the plants by name and a history of each plant.

Much of the information revolves around Native American and early settler usages for the different plants found in the national and state park.

These gems are spread out along the trails and not only give you a quick rest while hiking but are entertaining and informative on their own.

Best Time To Visit Davis Mountains State Park

One of the benefits of this state park being located in the high desert is that you can visit most of the year without worry. Summer days are hot and winter nights can be cold, but you cant go wrong visiting year-round.

In summer temperatures range from 60F to 90F on average, while in winter youll find temps as low as 30F and as high as 55F.

Springtime brings out flowering plants and insects that you may miss during other times of the year and is always a good choice.

Davis Mountains State Park: Hiking Camping + More

There is a vast landmass in the West Texas high desert filled with rock and open skies. Its a place where miles and miles of the road must be traveled between pockets of civilization. Every so often an oasis appears, found amongst the rattlesnakes and dust of the westand one such oasis is Davis Mountain State Park near Fort Davis, Texas.

With its large basalt rock outcrops, seasonal clear water streams, and valleys that support a multitude of wildlife, the Davis Mountains are a must-visit for those who love adventure.

Thinking of visiting the area? To help you enjoy your visit, we created this guide to Davis Mountains State Park, complete with what to do, where to stay, and what else to see when youre near Fort Davis!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

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County Establishment And Growth

The Texas Legislature established Jeff Davis County on March 15, 1887. Fort Davis was named as the county seat. Cattle ranchers began operating in the county in the 1880s. The towns of and Chispa became supply centers for the ranchers and were later designated as railroad stops as railway construction entered the area.

Fort Davis has always been the county’s largest town. By 1970, Madera Springs was known as the smallest town in Texas. opened to the public in the 1930s, improved during the Great Depression.

Stone Village Tourist Camp

This 1935 tourist court was purchased by The Hotel Limpia in 2006 and has been completely remodeled. It now 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. Camp Rooms are $44 after tax. Single queen rooms start at $81/$95. Two queens from $105 and suites are $115, all plus tax. Non Smoking. Pet friendly.

Office hours are 8AM -10PM daily

Visit our page.

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Cold War And Late 20th Century

After World War II, the United States financed and implemented the to help rebuild western Europe disbursements paid between 1948 and 1952 would total $13 billion . Also at this time, tensions between the United States and led to the , driven by an ideological divide between and . They dominated the military affairs of Europe, with the U.S. and its allies on one side and the Soviet Union and its allies on the other. The U.S. often opposed movements that it viewed as Soviet-sponsored, sometimes pursuing direct action for against governments. American troops fought the communist forces in the of 19501953, and the U.S. became increasingly involved in the , introducing combat forces in 1965. Their competition to achieve superior capability led to the , which culminated in the U.S. becoming the first nation to in 1969. While both countries engaged in and developed powerful , they avoided direct military conflict.

At home, the U.S. had experienced , , and a and following World War II. After a surge in female labor participation around the 1970s, by 1985, the majority of women aged 16 and over were employed, and construction of an transformed the nation’s transportation infrastructure in decades to come. In 1959, the United States admitted and to become the 49th and 50th states, formally expanding beyond the .

Where To Stay Outside The Park

With the town of Fort Davis only a four-mile drive away there are plenty of hotel spaces in places like Hotel Limpia and the Drugstore & Hotel located downtown. These two are probably the most historic venues to stay, but there are many other rooms and houses for rent in and around town.

The towns of Alpine and Marfa are also only a few miles away and provide one of the most scenic drives around no matter which one you are traveling to.

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Visit The Historic Fort

You can visit this authentic fort built in the 19th century either by hiking over the mountains from the Davis Mountains State Park or by driving into town.

The fort is now a National Historic Site and an incredibly interesting place to visit.

It is easy to spend hours in the interactive museum and taking a walk around the different buildings of the fort.

World War I Great Depression And World War Ii

The United States remained neutral from the outbreak of in 1914 until 1917 when it joined the war as an “associated power” alongside the , helping to turn the tide against the . In 1919, President took a leading diplomatic role at the and advocated strongly for the U.S. to join the . However, the Senate refused to approve this and did not ratify the that established the League of Nations.

In 1920, the women’s rights movement won passage of a granting . The 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of for and the invention of early . The prosperity of the ended with the and the onset of the . The was the worlds tallest when it opened in 1931, during the Depression era. That same time, the adopted as the country’s official national anthem. After his election as president in 1932, responded with the . The of millions of African Americans out of the American South began before World War I and extended through the 1960s whereas the of the mid-1930s impoverished many farming communities and spurred a new wave of western migration.

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Hiking At Davis Mountains State Park

The map notes seven trails that you hike at the park, and on my visit, I only did the Indian Lodge Trail and the Montezuma Quail Trail .

This trail started at the Lodge and went up into the tops of the rolling hills that surround the park. I opted to hike later in the day to see the sunset, and once you get to the top youll be rewarded with amazing scenery, and if youre lucky, some wildlife roaming around.

After hiking the Guadalupe Mountains earlier in the week I was hoping for some flat-track hiking, but you quickly ascend into the sky from the parking lot of the lodge to get to the scenic viewing, but once on top, you can look at the McDonald Observatory off in the distance and wish they were open on Monday/Tuesdays when youre in town. .

From the top, you can look down and great amazing views of the Lodge down below, and as you come back around, large sections of the campers below at their sites.

The terrain can be tricky if youre not watching your step. The loose gravel becomes more of an issue when youre on the Montezuma Quail portion and are making your way down. From this trail you can continue on to the Headquarters Trail , or to the Emory Oak Wildlife Viewing Area which boasts as being, the fanciest little bird blind in Texas.

Davis Mountains State Park Overview

Davis Mountains State Park has 93 single-family campsites in a beautiful area high in the mountains of West Texas. The park has miles of mixed-used trails to explore, including historic Fort Davis.

Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. There are 26 sites with full hookups, 3 with water & electric and 33 with just water. Campsites also have a table, fire ring and grate. Primitive equestrian campsites are also available.

Campground amenities include drinking water , flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station.

Indian Lodge is also located at the park and has 39 rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool , meeting rooms and a Texas State Park Store.

Davis Mountain State Park Area Recreation

Davis Mountains State Park includes 2,709 acres and a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Fort Davis and other historic structures are also fun to explore.

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Hit The Trails On A Mountain Bike

The trails at Davis Mountains State Park are not only for hiking. Be sure to bring your mountain bike to take on the mountains.

Be advised that some of the climbs are as much as 800 feet at steep inclines, so they are not for the novice bicycle rider.

For those who have some experience, however, the trails provide hours of fun and great scenery from numerous vantage points along the trails.

Further Immigration Expansion And Industrialization

In the North, and an unprecedented from and supplied a surplus of labor for the country’s industrialization and transformed its culture. National infrastructure, including and , spurred economic growth and greater settlement and development of the . The later invention of and the would also affect communication and urban life.

The United States fought Indian Wars west of the from 1810 to at least 1890. Most of these conflicts ended with the cession of Native American territory and their confinement to . Additionally, the in the 1830s exemplified the that forcibly resettled Indians. This further expanded acreage under mechanical cultivation, increasing surpluses for international markets. Mainland expansion also included the from in 1867. In 1893, pro-American elements in Hawaii the and formed the , which the U.S. in 1898. Puerto Rico, , and the were ceded by Spain in the same year, following the . was acquired by the United States in 1900 after the end of the . The were purchased from in 1917.

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Join The Ranger Program

One of the benefits of visiting state parks in Texas is the friendliness and willingness to teach by the rangers who work at each one. The Davis Mountains State Park Rangers and volunteers are no different.

The park runs its Ranger programs that offer walks and programs on stargazing, birding, local history, geocaching, and much more.

More than once you will probably be asked by a Ranger if you need help or if they can explain something to you during your visit. These people truly love what they do and it shows in their willingness to share.

Check out the parks event page to learn about upcoming programs.

Avoid Anything That Stings

Outside of heat and desolation, deserts are also known as places where just about everything that touches you will stick, poke, and sting. Whether it be the local insects, reptiles, rocks, or plants, this natural area is full of things that can make your skin very uncomfortable.

Be sure to watch your step and what you lean against or else you may find yourself full of needles from a local cactus.

To protect your feet from Texas snakes, plants, and insects, it is advised to wear closed-toed shoes or hiking boots. Walking sandals have become popular, but are not the safest choice for this state park.

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Jeff Davis County Texas

Jeff Davis County is a in the of . As of the , its population was 1,996. Its is . The county is named for . Jefferson Davis served as the 23rd in the , and as .

Jeff Davis County is recognizable for its unique shape it is a pentagon that has no northsouth nor eastwest boundaries, save for a six-mile line serving as its southern boundary. It is the only county in the United States that touches a foreign country at a single point. Jeff Davis is one of the nine counties that compose the region of .

The county contains the 270,000-acre Texas . About 50 acres are “under vine”. The , owned by the , is located near Fort Davis.

Law Enforcement And Crime

There are about 18,000 U.S. police agencies from local to federal level in the United States. Law in the United States is mainly by local police departments and ‘s offices. The provides broader services, and such as the and the have specialized duties, such as protecting , and enforcing ‘ rulings and federal laws. conduct most civil and criminal trials, and federal courts handle designated crimes and appeals from the state criminal courts.

As of 2020, the United States has an of 7 per 100,000 people. A cross-sectional analysis of the Mortality Database from 2010 showed that United States homicide rates “were 7.0 times higher than in other high-income countries, driven by a gun homicide rate that was 25.2 times higher.”

The United States has the and in the world. In 2019, the total prison population for those sentenced to more than a year is 1,430,800, corresponding to a ratio of 419 per 100,000 residents and the lowest since 1995. Some estimates place that number higher, such ‘s 2.3 million. Various states have attempted to via government policies and grassroots initiatives.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Davis Mountains State Park

What is the climate of Davis Mountains State Park?

Davis Mountains State Park has a climate that’s very warm and dry throughout most of the year. Temperatures can reach as high as 90 degrees during summer and 65 degrees during winter, with very little rainfall overall.

What is the best time of year to visit Davis Mountains State Park?

The most pleasant times of year to visit Davis Mountains State Park are spring and autumn. Those seasons tend to offer the perfect temperatures to stay comfortable while partaking in outdoor recreation.

Are there designated RV camping spots in Davis Mountains State Park?

At Davis Mountains State Park, you’ll find an on-site campground featuring 103 designated RV campsites. There are 26 full-hookup sites, 34 sites with just electricity, and 33 sites with only water.

Are pets allowed at Davis Mountains State Park?

Davis Mountains State Park is a pet-friendly park. Visitors are permitted to bring their pets as long as they clean up after them and keep them leashed at all times.

What kind of wildlife can be found in Davis Mountains State Park?

While visiting the park, you’ll have great opportunities to spot interesting wildlife. Some of the species you’ll want to watch for include javelinas, mule deer, mountain lions, canyon treefrogs, black-tailed rattlesnakes, and over 260 bird species.

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Entering Davis Mountains State Park

The park headquarters is open daily and typically closes to visitors by 5:00 p.m.

Davis Mountains State Park Per adult: $6.0

Davis Mountains State Park Kids 12 and under: $0.0

A lot of history has taken place within Davis Mountains State Park. If you’ve created your own piece of history in this state park, share it on your social media feed. Then, tag RVShare in it. The site would also love it if you sent in your photos to The team loves to hear from readers who are enjoying visiting state parks.

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How To Get Todavis Mountains State Park

If you’re coming in from Interstate 20, get off at the State Highway 17 exit near Pecos. Go south 80 miles until you come to State Highway 118. Turn west on State Highway 117N and go 3 miles to Park Road 3. Turn on it and go a short distance to arrive at the park. Gas stations are scarce, so be sure to fill up before leaving Pecos.

From Fort Davis, go 1 mile north on State Highway 17. Turn west on State Highway 117N and go 3 miles to Park Road 3. Turn on it and go a short distance to arrive at the park.

Support A Research Center

With a short drive away from the state park you can visit the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute and botanical gardens.

The center is run by volunteers and for a small fee, you can walk among, and learn more about desert plants than you ever knew before. All proceeds go towards research and the protection of the Chihuahuan Desert.

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