The Coolest Park in Texas

Davis Mountains State Park

Interpretive Ranger and smalltown DJ, Charlie Ewing, loves saying that his state park, Davis Mountains, is the coolest park in Texas, and at 5,080 feet above sea level, he is usually right regarding temperature. But he’s also spot on in the sense that Davis Mountains State Park has some of the most refreshing offerings for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. So if you’re looking for some relief from the late summer heat, jump in your car, truck or SUV for a short 6.5-hour drive to the coolest park in Texas. There’s a trail for everyone out there.

Adventure Junkies, from the park headquarters, hop across Highway 118 to the primitive camping side of the park and the Sheep Pen Loop Trail. The Limpia Creek access trail climbs from a lower creek bed up through a notch in the red, volcanic rock and deposits you in a beautiful high sierra meadow. I saw a desert Big Horn sheep on this trail a few years ago, so keep your eyes peeled.

Once through the notch, the Sheep Pen Canyon Loop winds through grazing lands of field and forest on its way to the highest point in the park, Limpia Vista at 5700’. The 360-degree views include glimpses of Ft.

Davis, Indian Lodge and the McDonald Observatory. The 10.4-mile roundtrip hike can be an epic day hike, or it can be broken up over two days by staying in the primitive campground at the base of Limpia Vista. Reading Ellen Meloy’s “Eating Stone” about Big Horn sheep will add layers of intrigue to this adventure.

History Buffs, the Skyline Drive Trail is for you. Before you embark, spend some time with Ranger Charlie on one of his Civilian Conservation Corps programs that outline the engineering and social marvels created by the CCC, which include Skyline Drive, its natural stone lookout and Indian Lodge, a wonderful example of National Park Rustic Architecture. For the intrepid, a trail from the CCC lookout to Ft. Davis National Historic Site winds its way back down the opposite slope of the ridge.

Curiously enough, Ft. Davis was named for the Secretary of War turned President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, and was also home to the famous 9th and 10th US Calvary made up of freed slaves known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Read “Black Frontiersman” compiled by Theodor Harris before you go, and follow in the remrkable steps of Henry O. Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point, editor of a white newspaper, mining engineer and assistant to the Secretary of the Interior.

Finally, for all you Family Ramblers, there’s no need to go any further than the campground to find an abundance of cool activities. Join Ranger Charlie at the Interpretive Center for activities ranging from bird watching and rock hounding to dog walking and stargazing. Indian Lodge comes complete with a game room and swimming pool, but if you’re looking for worldclass entertainment, head 12 miles up the road to Mc-Donald Observatory for a Star Party or 34 miles down the trail to Balmorhea State Park, home of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool (1.3 acres). The older kids will enjoy the Indian Lodge Trail, a challenging 1.5-mile hike full of cairns the size of Volkswagons and aoudad (invasive African sheep) the size of motorcycles. For those of you going later in the year, might I recommend the children’s book “Armidilly Chili,” all about West Texas cuisine in the midst of a Nor’easter.

Whatever your pleasure, Davis Mountains State Park, Ft. Davis and the surrounding area have something to spark your interest and cool your core this summer.