From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis National Historic Site was a frontier military outpost that protected travelers along the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail. You can also explore its history on foot: the grounds offer four miles of hiking trails, both in the backcountry and in the developed front area.
Trails, Elevation, and Protected Areas
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute offers a different focus. It lies in the foothills of the Davis Mountains at an elevation of 5,100 feet and offers more than five miles of hiking trails. Visitors interested in mining history as well as the landscape can find a replica of the 1880s Happy Jack Mine at the Mining Heritage Exhibit. The trails and exhibit bring different subjects together at one place to visit.
The Davis Mountains Preserve covers 32,844 acres. A rugged yet sensitive Sky Island preserve, it is surrounded by the vast desert landscape of West Texas. Guided day trips include a drive through the preserve and a guided interpretive hike. Reservations are required; check availability before your trip.
The Davis Mountains State Park also has trails for different interests: mountain biking is one of the activities offered on the trails. One specific trail is the Skyline Drive Trail: it is 2.6 miles long, one-way, and climbs 544 feet. Length, direction, and elevation gain describe different aspects of the route; the one-way designation is especially important for planning.
Places and Traces of History
Two architectural styles meet at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse. Built of concrete and stone in 1910–1911, the building is in the Classical Revival style. Its clock tower is designed in the Beaux-Arts style and features a clock mechanism made by Seth Thomas. The Jeff Davis County Jail offers a different historical comparison: it is a full-scale example of fortress-style jails that were popular in the United States in the 19th century.
The history of Union Mercantile shows a change in building style. O. M. Keesey and Geo. Gaither founded the business in 1873 in an adobe building; it was replaced with a stone building in 1906. The history of St. Joseph Catholic Church also extends beyond a single congregation: numerous congregations grew out of it, including those in Alpine and Marfa.
Routes and Trip Planning
The 75-mile Scenic Loop Drive runs through the Davis Mountains and begins and ends in Fort Davis. It offers a different scale from the individual hiking trails: the focus here is a loop through the mountain landscape. For a drive from Balmorhea to McDonald Observatory, the route described heads south on Highway 17 to Fort Davis, then north on Highway 118 for 16 miles to the observatory.
McDonald Observatory is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. All visitors must check in at the Frank N Bash Visitor Center. Since these are current operating hours, check them before driving. This lets you plan your visit window and your journey together without mistaking the days it is open for all-day availability.
Jeff Davis offers a range of ways to explore: border history and historic buildings, trails with specific distance and elevation figures, a preserve with guided tours, and a scenic drive through the Davis Mountains. Which one you focus on depends on whether you want to prioritize architecture, scenery, or outdoor activity.
Discover more destinations: Fort Davis, Swisher County, Bee County, Grimes County, Sabine County, Henderson County, La Salle County, Andrews County
For the main travel overview: Texas.
