Davis Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Davis Mountains are a range of mountains in West Texas
, located near Fort Davis
, after which they are named. They are a popular site for camping and hiking and the region includes Fort Davis National Historic Site
and Davis Mountains State Park
. The historical and architectural value of the fort, along with the rugged natural beauty of the park combine to prepresent a significant destination for tourism in Texas.
has acquired 32,000 acres (130 km²), along with conservation easements on 33,830 acres (136.9 km²) more. This parcel is open to the public at specified times.
is located on Mount Locke. It is accessed by Texas State Highway 118 which is the highest state maintained road in Texas at 6,791 feet.
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
, located near Fort Davis
Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis is a census-designated place in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,050 at the 2000 census and 1,041 according to a 2007 estimate. It is the county seat of Jeff Davis County...
, after which they are named. They are a popular site for camping and hiking and the region includes Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Fort Davis National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site located in unincorporated Jeff Davis County, Texas. Located within the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the historic site was established in 1961 to protect one of the best remaining examples of a United States Army fort in...
and Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Davis Mountains State Park is a state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5000 and 6000 feet above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a...
. The historical and architectural value of the fort, along with the rugged natural beauty of the park combine to prepresent a significant destination for tourism in Texas.
Origin and geology
The mountains are of volcanic origin composed of strata associated with eruptions of the Trans-Pecos Texas volcanic field 35 million years ago. The highest peak in the Davis Mountains is Mount Livermore at 8,382 feet, and is the fourth highest peak in Texas.Conservation
Recently, the The Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
has acquired 32,000 acres (130 km²), along with conservation easements on 33,830 acres (136.9 km²) more. This parcel is open to the public at specified times.
Facilities
The McDonald ObservatoryMcDonald Observatory
The McDonald Observatory is an astronomical observatory located near the unincorporated community of Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The facility is located on Mount Fowlkes and Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains of West Texas...
is located on Mount Locke. It is accessed by Texas State Highway 118 which is the highest state maintained road in Texas at 6,791 feet.
External links
}}- Davis Mountains and Indian Lodge - December 5, 2007 - Houston ChronicleHouston ChronicleThe Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
- Davis Mountains photographs, hosted by the Portal to Texas History
- Davis Mountains State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
- Davis Mountains Preserve - Nature Conservancy