ANNIE RIGGS MEMORIAL MUSEUM | Back to top
 The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum is located at 301 South Main St., Fort Stockton, Texas. Housed in a 1900’s adobe Victorian Hotel, the museum features displays of archeology, geology, pioneers, ranching, and period rooms.
The gallery features changing displays of regional interest. Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm Mon-Sat, and from Jun-Aug also open Sun 10:00am to 5:00 pm.
Admission: $1 adults; $.50 children.
For additional information call (432) 336-2167.
BALMORHEA STATE PARK | Back to top
Balmorhea State Park is located four miles west of Balmorhea on Texas Hwy.17 in Toyahvale. The 1-3/4 acre pool in the State Park is fed by the waters of San Solomon Springs. The pool holds 3.5 million gallons of water, making it one of the world’s largest. The Springs flow at about 20 million gallons a day, and maintains an average temperature of 74 degrees year-around.
The depth of the pool (3’ to 25’), temperature, and water clarity make it an inviting playground for the swimmer, snorkeler and scuba diver alike. The pool is open year-round on a swim-at-your own risk basis from 8 a.m. until one-half hour before sunset.
Facilities include campsites, a motel, a recreation hall, day use areas, bath houses and showers.
A recent addition to the Park is the Desert Wetlands or “Cienega” which replicates the original wetland environment found at the Springs before the pool was built. The Cienega provides additional protected habitat for the endangered Comanche Springs Pupfish and Pecos Mosquito Fish which are residents here.
Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, guided tours of the Park and Phantom Springs are offered for small groups. These tours are arranged by reservation on Saturdays from Mar.-Sept. by calling (432) 375- 2370.
Balmorhea State Park is open every day of the year.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling
Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. at (512) 389-8900 or 1 800 792-1112. Entrance
Fee: Adults 13+, $3.00; Seniors $2.00.
Four miles west of Balmorhea on Texas 17.
The 600 acre lake that feeds into the pool is nearby.
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK | Back to top
 Big Bend National Park consists of over 800,000 acres of wild land to explore.
The park’s three major environments - the Chisos Mountains, the Desert Floor, and the Rio Grande offer an excellent opportunity to experience the diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. The Park offers superb walking, hiking, and backpacking adventures, as well as scenic driving tours. Bird watchers will be delighted to find out that Big Bend has more species of birds than any other national park. Many visitors enjoy taking a raft trip through one of the incredible canyons in the park with local river outfitters, while others enjoy the scenery and wildlife from outside their motel rooms, recreational vehicles, or tents.
Rangers or volunteers are on duty at four visitor centers to provide information about the park and to issue backcountry permits. Interpretive programs and guided walks are offered daily from November - April, and several times per week during the summer. Maps, books, and other interpretive items are available for purchase through the Big Bend Natural History Association. National Park Concessions, Inc. provides lodging, a restaurant, gasoline, and camp stores.
For more information on the park write:
Superintendent
Big Bend National Park,
PO Box 129
Big Bend, Texas 79834
or telephone (432) 477-2251
CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE CENTER & BOTANICAL GARDENS | Back to top
Home of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute.
Located 4 miles south of Fort Davis on Texas Hwy. 118, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens comprises 507 acres of rolling grasslands, igneous rock outcrops and the spectacular Modesta Canyon. Visitors are encouraged to check in at the Visitors Center for admission to interpretive exhibits, a wildscape demonstration garden, a geologic timeline, and a mining heritage exhibit. The 20 acre Botanical Gardens includes over 165 species of plants native to the region; a self-guided tour pamphlet is available. A 1400 sq. ft. greenhouse shelters over 200 species of Chihuahuan Desert cacti and succulents.
Hike into Modesta Canyon or up to Claytonís Overlook for a beautiful view.
Dress appropriately for the desert. Hiking shoes, water and sunscreen are highly recommended. The Leapiní Lizards Nature Shop has books and gifts for all ages.
Call 432-364-2499 or visit, www.cdri.org for information on our guided hikes and tours, education programs, and special lectures and workshops.
The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is to promote public awareness, appreciation and concern for he natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and education.
Hours:
MON-SAT 9:00am–5:00pm. Year around. Closed major holidays.
Admission: Adults $5.00; Seniors $4.00
Members and Children 12 and under Free
Contact: 432-364-2499
DAVIS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK | Back to top
Davis Mountain State Park is located 4 miles north of Fort Davis National Historic Site on Hwy. 118, the State Park covers 1,869 acres of scenic Davis Mountains. It has many camping facilities, picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, guided bird walks, and a scenic skyline drive. Slide and video programs are held in the Interpretive Center.
(432) 426-3337.
Entrance Fees:
Adults 13+, $3 (Overnight, $2);
Texas Seniors $2.
Location: 1 mile N of Ft Davis on SH 17 to SH 118N, then W on SH 118N for 3 miles.
FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE | Back to top
 To protect travelers heading westward over the San Antonio - El Paso Road/Overland Trail, the U.S. Army built a fort at the mouth of a pleasant box canyon near Limpia Creek. The new fort was named Fort Davis after the Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Fort Davis was active from 1854 - 1891 except for the Civil War years. Troops from the Fort scouted and mapped the surrounding territory, escorted the mail, protected stage coaches and wagon trains, guarded railroad surveyors, and fought against raiding Indians.
When Fort Davis was abandoned by the Army, it contained over sixty adobe or stone buildings.
The historic ruins were acquired and preserved by the National Park Service in 1961. Today, Fort Davis National Historic Site is regarded as the most outstanding surviving example of a southwestern frontier military post.
The Visitor Center is located in a restored barracks and contains exhibits and a slide program on the Fort’s history.
The site covers 460 acres and has several miles of hiking trails. A shaded picnic area is available year-round. Summer hours are 8-6 daily; 8-5 in winter.
For additional information write:
Superintendent
P. O. Box 1456
Ft. Davis, TX 79734
or call (432) 426-3224.
HALLIE’S HALL OF FAME MUSEUM | Back to top
 Honoring a West Texas Legend Hallie Crawford Stillwell helped settle West Texas’ most formidable land, the Big Bend, in the early 20th century. She fought drought, disease, the depression, and desperadoes! “Tough,” she says, “You had to be tough to survive!” To preserve her ranching legacy and pioneering spirit, Hallie’s Hall of Fame Museum was built in 1991.
Inside the adobe-walled museum you’ll discover Hallie’s world, abundant with treasures from times past. An authentic reproduction of her one-room ranch home sets the tone for a display of original guns, artifacts, clothing, books, photographs, newspaper clippings, awards, citations, and other memorabilia. Visit this unusual western museum, a major attraction of the Big Bend area. Just seven miles from the main entrance to Big Bend National Park. Twenty-three miles from the Rio Grande and Coahuila, Mexico.
Location - six miles off U.S. Highway 385 on Farm Road 2627. Just North of the main (northern) entrance to Big Bend National Park.
Stillwell Ranch, HC-65,
Box 430, Alpine, Texas 79830
(432) 376-2244.
HISTORIC FORT STOCKTON | Back to top
 Historic Fort Stockton, 300 East Third St., Fort Stockton, Texas.
This post-Civil War site was established in 1867 and operated until 1886. Four original buildings remain, including three Officers’ Quarters and the Guard House. Two enlisted mens’ barracks and their accompanying kitchen/mess halls have been reconstructed. The Museum is located in Barracks #1 (closest to the Guard House and visitor parking area) and is open Mon. Sat. 9a-8p and Sun.12p-8p. Admission adults $2; children 12 & under $1; Seniors (65+) $1.50. (432) 336-2400.
JUDGE ROY BEAN VISITOR CENTER | Back to top
Be sure to stop at the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center operated by the Division of Travel Information, Texas Department of Transportation at Langtry. This informative stop is located just off U.S. Hwy. 90, 1/2 miles South on Loop 25 between Sanderson and Del Rio. Certified, professional travel counselors serve as goodwill ambassadors as well as information specialists on destinations in Texas 8-5 year-round, except Easter, Thanksgiving, December 24, 25, and New Years Day.
All this in addition to answering the toll free travel information services line 1- 800-452-9292.
The Judge is gone, but his saloon, “The Jersey Lilly,” and his home “The Opera House, Town Hall and Seat of Justice” are still there. Free parking, free maps and travel literature, rest rooms and water fountains are available and it is all ADA accessible. A well marked desert garden with approximately 100 species of cacti, trees, shrubs and other plants provides a welcome respite as well as a noted birding area. Don’t miss the welcome oasis in the eastern edge of the Big Bend Country.
KOKERNOT FIELD | Back to top
 In 1947, the late area rancher H. D. Kokernot bought his own minor league team (the Alpine Cowboys) and spent over a million dollars to build Kokernot Field. The ballpark uses native stone and wrought iron work, right down to the iron baseballs in the gates and ticket window.
Kokernot Field is located on Loop Road, Alpine, Texas.
LAJITAS RESORT | Back to top
The “Ultimate Hideout”...Re-live the Old West in this restored frontier town, just outside Big Bend National Park amid 30,000 acres of our own magnificent country. Many visitors to Big Bend National Park find accommodations in Lajitas. Old west charm and modern conveniences are combinded to offer guests everything from a golf course to campsites. Some of the hotels are reconstructions of old hotels and officers’ quarters. For more information call (432) 424-5000.
McDONALD OBSERVATORY | Back to top
 Almost 150,000 visitors each year make the trek up Mount Locke in the heart of the Davis Mountains to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.
Visitor activities include daily Solar Viewing, daily Observatory Tours, Star Parties three nights a week (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday shortly after sunset), and one night a month the 107-inch telescope is opened to the public (Public Viewing Night).
Reservations are required for Public Viewing Night. The Daily Public Programs are as follows:
11:30 a.m. HET & 107” Tour
2:00 p.m. HET & 107” Tour
11:00 a.m. Solar Viewing
3:30 p.m. Solar Viewing
The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET), atop Mt. Fowlkes is now operational. The HET is unique; inexpensive, yet innovative and powerful. Its 432-inch mirror is one of the largest in the world.
The University of Texas McDonald Observatory is located 16 miles NW of Ft. Davis on Texas Hwy. 118. For more information, write to the W.L. Moody, Jr. Visitors’ Information Center, HC75-Box 1337, Fort Davis, Texas 79734.
Call (432) 426-3640 Or call Toll Free (877) 984-7827 Hours: Visitors Center 9am–5pm daily excpet Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Day
MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND | Back to top
 For over 70 years the Museum of the Big Bend has been collecting and exhibiting the artifacts of the vast Big Bend region.
Here, man has traveled and lived for over 11,000 years. Throughout that time, four distinct cultures emerged and shaped the history and heritage of the area.
The exhibits of the Museum capture and contrast this human history, and encompass the contributions of the cultures of the American Indian, the Spanish, the Mexicans and the Anglo-Americans.
Today at the Museum of the Big Bend, both adults and children will enjoy experiencing and learning about yesterday on the Last Frontier of Texas. The museum is located in Lawrence Hall (First Floor), Sul Ross State University Campus.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Closed. Admission is free. For information call (432) 837-8143.
OVERLAND TRAIL MUSEUM | Back to top
The Overland Trail Museum is located two blocks west of Stone Village Motel in Ft. Davis, Texas. Operated by the Fort Davis Historical Society, the museum is housed in an original stage stop, and has clothing, pictures, furniture, cooking utensils and tools donated by descendants of local families. It is open Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat. from 10-5.
The Museum is closed annually from Nov. 11 - March 1. Admission is $1.00 adults and $.50 children. To schedule a tour call (432) 426-3941 or (432) 426- 3105.
SEMINOLE CANYON STATE HISTORICAL PARK | Back to top
Seminole Canyon State Historical Park is located 45 miles west of Del Rio near the confluence of the Pecos River with the Rio Grande River. The park contains the Fate Bell Cave Dwelling. This is one of the oldest cave dwellings containing some of North America’s oldest pictographs, dating back 4,000 years.
Guided Tours are year around leaving at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Other hiking/bicycle trails are available with camping and educational exhibits provided. For more details call Park Info: 1 800 792-1112
STE. GENEVIEVE WINES VINEYARDS AND WINERY | Back to top
Twenty-six miles east of Fort Stockton, over one thousand acres of lush green vineyards provide a break in the desert landscape. From these vineyards comes Ste. Genevieve, the largest winery in the State of Texas, which produces up to 8,000 bottles an hour.
With climate and soil conditions remarkably similar to those found in the famous growing regions of France, this land has always been destined to produce some of the world’s finest wines. Ste. Genevieve, the fifth largest winery in the country, was started by the University of Texas in 1981. It’s now owned and operated by Cordier Estates, Inc. The Cordier family name dates back to the 1500s from France.
The state of the art winery has a production capacity of over one million gallons annually. Ste. Genevieve wines has received recognition in both state and international competitions. Tours and tastings can be arranged by contacting the Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce.
TERLINGUA | Back to top
 Terlingua is located four miles west of Study Butte on Texas Hwy. 170. In the late 1800’s, Terlingua was inhabited by a handful of sheep herders living in a precarious relationship with Apache and Comanche Indians who moved through the country. Mercury was discovered in 1890, and before long, a thriving town arose.
Despite the hard life, millions of dollars in quicksilver were removed from the mines before they played out. Remnants of the town in the form of roofless rock and adobe buildings now stand quietly by the roadside.
Places of special interest include the old cemetery, protected mine shafts, and the restored theatre-restaurant. Area resorts invite travelers to stay and take advantage of the many nature hikes and photographic opportunities. Terlingua serves as a window into the past with its ghost towns and trading posts.
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