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Regional Parks
Big Bend National Park
www.nps.gov/bibe/
108 miles south on TX 118 to
Park Headquarters at Panther
Junction.
At over 800,000 acres, Big
Bend National Park is the
largest protected area of the
Chihuahuan Desert in the
U.S. The Park is known as
“Three Parks in One”, with
towering mountain, vast desert
and thriving riparian
environments, all situated
along the “big bend” of the
Rio Grande.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
102 miles south and west on
TX 118 and FM 170
This is the largest state park
in Texas with 300,000 acres of
rugged and remote
Chihuahuan Desert along the
Rio Grande. Stop at the
Barton Warnock Center on
FM 170 just east of Lajitas for
information.
Fort Davis National
Historic Site
www.nps.gov
27 miles north on TX 118, in
Fort Davis
One of the best remaining,
restored and open to the public
examples of frontier military
posts in the American
southwest. From 1854 to 1891
troops protected migrants,
freighters, mail coaches and
travelers on the San Antonio-El
Paso Road. Opportunities for
touring the fort, and hiking
trails which connect with Davis
Mountains State Park.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature
Center and Botanical Gardens
www.cdri.org
20 miles north on TX 118
Provides public awareness of the
natural diversity of the
Chihuahuan Desert region.
Features a visitor center, outdoor
exhibits, botanical gardens and
hiking trails.
Davis Mountains State Park
and Indian Lodge
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
29 miles north on TX 118
4 miles northwest of Fort
Davis, the park comprises
nearly 2709 acres with
elevations ranging from 50006000 feet. Opportunities for
camping, lodging, birding,
hiking, and dining in the
scenic Davis Mountains.
Santa Elena Canyon
The Marfa Lights
16 miles west on U.S. 90/67
to viewing area
Mysterious lights first observed
and recorded in 1883 by early
settlers. Still a visitor attraction
today. A video can be seen at
Apache Trading Post in Alpine.
Texas Mountain Trail
www.texasmountaintrail.com
A driving route through the
six western-most counties of
Texas. Highlights along the
trail are historic sites,
museums, state parks and
unique mountain and desert
communities.
Early morning horse ride
Big Bend Ranch State Park
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