OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Regional Parks
Continued from page 21 . Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens www . cdri . org 20 miles north on TX 118 Located on 500 acres in the foothills of the Davis Mountains , this nonprofit organization promotes public awareness , appreciation and concern for the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and education . Features a visitor center , outdoor exhibits , botanical gardens , hiking trails and special events .
Davis Mountains Preserve www . nature . org / texas 50 miles north on TX 118 The Nature Conservancy ’ s 33,075-acre preserve is open for outdoor activities including hiking , biking , horseback riding , camping and birding on selected days each year .
Davis Mountains State Park & Indian Lodge tpwd . texas . gov / 29 miles north on TX 118 The park comprises over 2,700 acres with elevations ranging from 5,000-6,000 feet and offers camping , birding , hiking , lodging and dining . From the park , continue on TX 118 and TX 166 for a beautiful drive along the 75-mile Davis Mountains scenic loop , which passes the McDonald Observatory and Sawtooth Mountain .
Fort Davis National Historic Site www . nps . gov 27 miles north on TX 118 in Fort Davis One of the best surviving 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 .
Marfa Lights Viewing Area 16 miles west on U . S . 90 / 67 The mysterious lights were first observed and recorded in 1883 ; they are still observed today .
Texas Mountain Trail www . texasmountaintrail . com A driving route through the six westernmost counties of Texas . Highlights along the trail are historic sites , museums , state parks and unique mountain and desert communities .
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