A Weekend Escape to Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains

If you’re craving wide-open skies, rugged mountains, and a blend of history and astronomy, Fort Davis in West Texas is a perfect weekend escape. 

The Davis Mountains region combines scenic drives, hiking trails, and starry night skies that seem close enough to touch. Here’s how we explored the best of this hidden gem — from the Davis Mountain Scenic Drive to the McDonald Observatory.

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Getting There

Fort Davis is tucked away in far West Texas, about a 6-hour drive from Austin or San Antonio. The journey itself feels like part of the adventure — long stretches of desert road, occasional sightings of pronghorns, and the mountains slowly rising on the horizon. Cell service fades, but the scenery makes up for it.

We started from Austin around 9 am and reached our Airbnb near Davis Mountain State Park by evening. This place is very remote. We traveled in March. We don't recommend driving there during the summer. Cooler months are better. 

Be aware when planning with kids. Fortunately, our Airbnb is located in a very scenic area with a great Sunset view overlooking the mountain and is well-stocked with food and other supplies. 

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Davis Mountain Scenic Drive – A Road Through the Clouds

Start your trip with the Davis Mountain Scenic Loop, a 75-mile drive that winds through some of the most stunning high-country landscapes in Texas. The road climbs above 6,000 feet, with sweeping views of desert plains and distant peaks.

There are few cars and even fewer distractions — just the hum of your tires and the wind through the pines.  Don’t rush; this drive is about soaking in the solitude and beauty of the mountains. I won't compare this with scenic drives in Utah / Colorado, but this gives a different feeling, as if you are not in the Texas desert but in a mountain region.

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Davis Mountains State Park – Hike, Camp, and Unwind

Just a few minutes from town lies Davis Mountains State Park, a haven for outdoor lovers. We spent the morning hiking the Skyline Drive Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the valley and the nearby town of Fort Davis.

If you love photography, visit around sunset — the light turns the mountains into a warm palette of gold and orange. The park’s historic Indian Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is a great place to stay if you want a rustic retreat surrounded by nature.

Sunset is the best time to be there on Skyline Drive. That drive is amazing. 

Things to Do:

• Hike or bike the scenic trails

• Watch for birds and wildlife (javelinas and deer are common)

• Picnic at the overlook

• Stay overnight at Indian Lodge or the campgrounds

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McDonald Observatory – Stargazing Heaven

No trip to the Davis Mountains is complete without visiting the McDonald Observatory. Located atop Mount Locke, it’s one of the top observatories in the U.S., run by the University of Texas at Austin.

During the daytime tours, you can see the massive telescopes up close and learn how scientists study distant galaxies. But the real highlight is the Star Party — a nighttime event where experts guide you through the constellations using giant telescopes.

Under the inky black sky, we saw Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, and the soft glow of distant nebulae. It’s a humbling experience that reminds you just how vast the universe is.

This was the highlight of our whole trip. It is a unique and educational place with the second-largest telescope in the world(The Hobby Eberly Telescope). This is being used for the research of dark energy (learning about how fast galaxies are expanding) by the University of Texas, Austin.

The star party starts after 9.30 pm. They explain and show all the constellations, including the Big Dipper, nebulae, the nearest galaxy, and planets. Then, they show each object with telescopes. We loved watching Jupiter. 

Tip: Book your Star Party tickets in advance — they often sell out weeks ahead! We went around spring break, so they arranged special shows for kids, and timings were different.

Since this place is a designated dark sky area, we could see stars very clearly from our Airbnb as well.

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Fort Davis National Historic Site – A Step Back in Time

Back in town, the Fort Davis National Historic Site offers a glimpse into frontier life in the 1800s. The fort was once a key military post protecting travelers on the San Antonio–El Paso route.

Walking through the restored officers’ quarters and barracks, we could almost hear the echoes of cavalry boots and bugle calls. The museum exhibits tell fascinating stories about Buffalo Soldiers and life in this remote outpost.

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Best Time to Visit

The Davis Mountains are cooler than most of West Texas thanks to their elevation.

• Spring and Fall: Ideal temperatures and clear skies

• Winter: Chilly but peaceful, with fewer crowds

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Travel Tips

• Fill up your gas tank before starting the scenic drive — stations are scarce.

• Bring layers; the temperature can drop quickly after sunset.

• Keep your camera handy — the landscape changes with every turn.

• Watch for wildlife, especially deer and pronghorn, near dusk.

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A few side trips :

Big Bend National Park

Marfa - Marfa lights are an interesting phenomenon, and the Prada store in the nowhere. 

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Final Thoughts

Fort Davis and the Davis Mountains blend the best of Texas — open roads, timeless landscapes, and skies filled with stars. Whether you’re here to hike, drive, or simply disconnect, this region offers an experience that’s both peaceful and profound.

It’s a place where history meets the cosmos — and where every visitor leaves with a sense of wonder.

Have you been to Fort Davis or the McDonald Observatory? Share your favorite moments below!

Until next time,

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025

Hiking Gorman Falls with Kids: A Fun Day Trip to Texas Hill Country

Located about two hours northwest of Austin, Colorado Bend State Park is a scenic gem near San Saba, Texas. Nestled along the Colorado River, this rugged wilderness offers over 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, winding through canyons, waterfalls, and limestone cliffs—perfect for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.

Gorman Falls from Tinaja Overlook

How to Reach?

Address: 1201 Colorado Park Road, Bend , TX 76824

Park Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM 

Entry Fee : $5 per person, kids under 12 yrs - free

This state park offers a hike to a cave, waterfalls, natural springs, fishing, camping, and swimming in spring-fed pools.

Best Time to Visit?

Since it's Texas, the best time to visit is not on a sunny day :-) Trails are not shaded. The waterfall looks amazing after rain, but the trail might be slippery after rain. 

A cloudy day would be good to enjoy the scenic view of the Colorado River, hike Spicewood Canyon, or enjoy Gorman Falls.

Where to Stay?

Austin is only 2 hrs away. That would be a good place to stay, but there are some cabins on Lake Buchanan and unique stays and resorts around the area.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Here are some options:

 

Things to Do?

Hike Gorman Falls and Tinaja Overlook :

This is the most popular hike in the park. This 70-foot waterfall is accessible by a 3-mile round-trip trail. There is a restroom available at the trailhead. 

Here is our guide for a family-friendly hike to Gorman Falls. The first half of the trail is flat and easy. After 0.5 miles into the trail, there is a path that leads to Tinaja Overlook. It's 0.75 mile leading to a viewpoint of Colorado Bend, adding 1.4 miles out and back, but it is really worth the extra miles. There is a deck with a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. 

If you can brave it, you can carefully walk to the rock, which gives a clearer view. You can see Gorman Falls from this point as well. It's amazing. That viewpoint is Instagram worthy :-)

Another popular but difficult trail is the Tie Slide Trail, 2.3 miles one-way. This connects to the Tinaja Overlook.  

Beautiful view of Colorado River

Tinaja Overlook

Then, we joined our main trail again. Another 0.4 miles is easy. The last part of the trail is steep with rocky terrain. There are chains on the sides of the trail to hold on to while climbing down to the falls. This is the hardest part, and kids need more help. 

The waterfalls are beautiful. They are spread over multiple rocks, and one part of the falls is covered with trees. It is not easy to capture the falls on photos, but this needs to be enjoyed personally. 

There is a cool spot to sit, have snacks, and take a break. Heading back, of course, is a little tough as we have to climb up at least for 0.5 miles. It is easy after that. 

The trail took 2 to 3 hrs, I guess, for us with photo and snack breaks. We went the day after a heavy rain, so the waterfalls were gushing with force. 

By the way, our return hike was not smooth. Unfortunately, there were lightning and thunderstorms followed by heavy rain. Fortunately, we reached the car safely, but completely drenched. 

Gorman Falls

The green moss

Swim in Spicewood Springs:

Enjoy a series of spring-fed pools and refresh on a hot summer day along the Spicewood Springs Trail. Spicewood Springs Canyon Trail is a 3.8-mile loop. 

You might need water shoes for this trail, as there are a few water crossings. Spicewood Springs Trail is 1.3 miles out and back. We couldn't do it due to heavy rain, but I definitely recommend it. 

Try the Cave tour if you are up for an adventure!

This website allows you to book cave tours. They offer tours for different difficulty levels. There are around 400 caves in this area. These caves are not regular tourist-friendly ones. You should be ready to crawl, squeeze, climb etc., 

A headlamp/ flashlight, sturdy shoes are required, and you should be ready to get dirty and wet :-)

There is also an activity called Bat Hike, organized by park staff.

Visit Fiesta Winery

Address: 18727 W FM 580

Lometa, TX 76853

This local winery offers wine tastings, pizza, and cheese boards. With $25, you can experience a complimentary wine and taste your choice of 6 wine samples.  This winery is only 20 minutes away from the State park. They also have large outdoor seating. 

Check here for hours. 

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

So, that's about a quick trip on a weekend. How do you like it? Do let me know in the comments.

Anything else we missed in this area? Do let us know.

Until next time,

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F for For Davis #BlogchatterA2Z

 Fort Davis

This is not a popular destination, but a hidden gem. When I searched through places in Texas, I came across this place which has a lot of history.

This place is famous for the remnants of a US Army post, which is a national historic site. This place is surrounded by Davis mountains and McDonald Observatory is just 20 mins away on a hilltop.

I will write a separate blog post about the McDonald Observatory as this is a unique and educational place with the second largest telescope in the world(The Hobby Eberly Telescope). This is being used for the research of dark energy (learning about how fast galaxies are expanding) by the University of Texas, Austin. 

Davis Mountains State Park, Indian Lodge, and the views from Skyline Drive are gorgeous. 

That's the second-largest telescope in the world for now.

Until next time,

I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z

Other A2Z Posts:

A for Arches National Park

B for Bigbend National park

C for Capitol Reef National Park

D for Disney

E for Escalante National Monument

F for Fort Davis

G for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

H for Hot Springs National Park

I for Idaho Springs

J for Jackson Hole

K for Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

L for Las Vegas

M for Monument Valley

N for Niagara Falls

O for Orlando

P for Pikes Peak

Q for Quiet and Secluded

R for Rocky Mountain National Park

S for Santa Fe

T for Talimena Scenic Drive

U for Utah

V for Vermont

W for White Sands National Park

X for Xtreme Weather

Y for Yellowstone National Park

Z for Zion National Park

I give you one travel recommendation for each letter of the alphabet. So, follow my blog every day in April for travel recommendations.

I might post these on social media as well, here are the links if you want to follow me there..

Facebook 

Twitter 

Pinterest

Instagram

Explore Texas Hill Country: 5 Unmissable Places to Visit

The Texas Hill Country is the geographical region covering a few parts of South and Central Texas. We(Austinites :-), can we call that?) are fortunate to be nearer to the Texas Hill country. 

Some towns in Texas Hill Country are Bandera, Blanco, Burnet, Fredricksburg, Dripping Springs, Johnson City, Marble Falls, and Wimberley.

Texas Hill country is part of Edwards plateau. There are many natural springs, stony areas, small cliffs, steep canyons, and wineries in the hill country.

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Here are some Texas Hill Country attractions:

Beautiful towns

Fredricksburg: 

This town in Central Texas is known for its wineries and German heritage. While there are many wineries to visit, National museum of Pacific war is an interesting place to learn about WWII. Das Peach house is famous for it's Peaches, and homemade pies and jams. 

Kerrville:

The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden has beautiful sculptures and a large cross. A replica of Stonehenge can also be found near Kerville at Hill country Arts foundation.

Wimberley:

Wimberley is famous for the Blue Hole Regional park and Jacob's Well (Deep underground Natural spring). Jacob's well is unfortunately closed now due to drought conditions. Old Baldy Park is small but gives a fantastic 360-degree view of the surrounding hill country through a trail with 218 steps. 

State Parks and Natural Areas

Pedernales State Park:

This state park is along the Pedernales River in Jhonson city. Here, water cascades through the layers of limestone. This park has multiple hiking trails.

Inks Lake State park:

This state park is in Burnet, and it has many hiking trails. This is also a good location for camping and fishing.

Colorado Bend State Park:

This state park is a popular destination for hiking and biking. Gorman Falls is a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jrandallc/4558695284

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area 

Enchanted Rock is a large granite dome, which is challenging to hike, but this hike gives beautiful 360-degree views of Texas hill country.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianmrussell/9566091370

Mckinney Falls State Park 

Mckinney Falls State Park, just outside of Austin offers mountain biking, hiking and fishing. Water might be barely flowing in Summer season, but the place is beautiful during fall. 

Caves

Cave without a name:

This is a limestone solutional cave 40 miles from San Antonio. Famous for the stalactites, Stalagmites and other beautiful formations.

Longhorn Cavern State Park:

This day use only park is in Burnet county near Inks Lake state park. This 135-foot deep cavern is well maintained, and it is very large.  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/digidragon/7193159840/

Natural Bridge Caverns:

Natural Bridge Caverns is a family-owned and operated cave. This is popular for its 60-foot natural limestone bridge. 

Caves of Sonora:

These caves, located 8 miles from Sonora, are internationally recognized as one of the beautiful show caves. These are popular for their calcite crystal formations. Since the area is remote, it won't attract many visitors. 

Inner Space Caverns:

This cave is estimated to be around 20 - 25 million years old, and it was formed by the water passing through Edward limestone.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/7854786332

Waterfalls and Natural Springs

Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park:

A 2.8-mile moderate and rocky out-and-back trail takes you to a lookout point and then to the waterfalls. The best time to visit is March to May. At other times, water might be just trickling.

Pedernales Falls:

The water flow will change according to the seasons and rainfall. This is a good place to visit during spring/fall. The hike to the waterfalls is an easy 0.6 miles out and back.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pedernales_Falls_State_Park_Texas_DSC_0098_ed_ad.jpg

Mckinney Falls:

This is a very small waterfall, but it is good to visit during fall. It's an easy walk of 3 miles to the lower falls and back.

Krause Springs (Spicewood):

Krause Springs is a great camping and swimming site. There are 32 springs, and the property is family-owned. It is refreshing to swim in these waters on hot summer days.

Hamilton Pool reserve:

This is a natural preserve, a part of the Balcone Canyonlands preserve. The pool is surrounded by a collapsed grotto and canyon formed by erosion over many years. You need to reserve in advance to visit. The hike to the pool is a 0.4-mile, steep, rugged path. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/matthigh/3366535903

Jacob's well, Wimberley : 

Currenty closed due to low water and drought conditions. It used to be the second longest submerged cave in Texas, pumping thousands of gallons of water per minute.

Scenic Drives

Legendary Devil’s Backbone:

Drive south on IH 35 to San Marcos and take RM 12 west. About 10 miles out of town, RM 12 leads to RM 32. In less than 5 miles, you begin to climb Devil’s Backbone.

Davis Mountains Scenic Drive:

This is a 74-mile loop through the Davis mountains. You can see a bit of wildlife, like Javalinas. It takes around 1 hr to do the loop. 

McDonald's observatory is a noteworthy place on the way with 3 of the largest telescopes. They also organize many events and educational programs to view stars in the night through those telescopes. 

Marfa is famous for strange lights that appear randomly in the night. They are also called ghost lights. There is a light viewing station.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mybloodyself/18098651168/in/photostream/

Willow City Loops:

This 13-mile loop starts at Highway 16 and Ranch Road 1323 in Willow City. This is a popular drive during spring to watch the wildflowers like bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and Sunflowers. 

It also passes through rolling hills, creeks, and ranches. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davechud/467891375/

Twisted Sisters scenic drive:

This 45-mile drive near Madina is a biker's paradise and an adventurous drive. It passes through Lost Maples and Garner state parks as well. 

So, that's the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Are you ready to plan a road trip? 

How did you like these places? Please let me know in the comments if I missed any beautiful places in Texas Hill Country.

Until next time,

Stay adventurous and enjoy traveling!

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop and link it to www.theblogchatter.com

Family-friendly places to visit in Houston in 1 day

Houston:

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and a large metropolis extending to Galveston bay. Houston has a lot to offer for all ages and I feel, we need 3 days to cover all the important points to see. We could spend only 1.5 days.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/44534236@N00/4075803243

This is an old pending post. Actually, almost an year old. While work, family and dance school took over my priority, this blog has been quiet for sometime except for book reviews.

There are other travels posts pending to be published like Orlando - Disney and Universal theme parks. Hopefully, I get more time in Summer to publish all of them :-)

Here is the Itinerary:

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BAPS Temple (BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir):

BAPS Temple (BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir) in Stafford is a spectacle to the eyes with the beautiful architecture. The temple is open all year around for all faiths and the entry is free.

Address:

1150 Brand Lane
Stafford, TX 77477 USA

This temple which is inaugurated in 2004 is constructed with Italian marble and Turkish limestone. It is a peaceful and spiritual place. A canteen and a gift shop are available where you can get Indian snacks, religious books, CDs, postcards etc., 

The front area before the temple is serene with water fountain, whereas the interior is filled with exquisite religious carvings. The architecture follows Shilpa shastra and is due to the effort of many people contributing voluntarily for the construction and carvings.  

NASA (Jhonson Space center):

This visit is like a dream come true for any astronomy and space research lovers. 

Address: 

1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058

Entry is around $30 per adult in 2024. Here you can check latest ticket prices and book online to save. 

Space center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA Jhonson Space center. Visitors can see 400 space crafts, learn about MARS mission and check the moon rocks. The eight story landmark 'Independence Plaza' by Boeing is a replica of shuttle carrying aircraft. 

The most important attraction is the tram tour, through which visitors can learn about human space exploration. Rocket park is amazing as we get to see Saturn V rocket from nearer. We can explore historic Mission control as well from where NASA led Gemini, Apollo missions, including first lunar landing. 

There is a lot of walking, and it takes more than half a day to explore space center. If you want to take breaks in the middle of exploration, there is a cafeteria to refresh and eat. It takes around 3 to 5 hrs to explore the area.

Sri Meenakshi Temple:

Meenakshi temple is located in Pearland in Houston metropolitan area. The presiding deity is Goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Sundareswar(Shiva). 

Address: 17130 McLean road, Pearland, TX

This temple was inaugurated in 1982. It is great spiritual place with positive vibrations. Food is available for purchase in cafeteria. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jfahler/4789385386/

Galveston :

Galveston is an island city on the gulf coast of Texas. It is around 1 hr away from Houston. We drove and spent a few hours around Sunset in the beach.

There is a lot to do in Galveston though. Pleasure pier is popular for amusement rides, and restaurants. Moody Gardens is a great family friendly place with 3 large pyramids featuring aquarium, rain forest exhibits and NASA exhibits. 

Photo by David Olivares: https://www.pexels.com/photo/entrance-to-galveston-island-historic-pleasure-pier-17872831/

Gerald D.Hines Waterfall Park:

We couldn't visit this man-made waterfall due to lack of time. But, the pictures look great when I explored on internet.

This is a multi-story sculptural fountain surrounded by a park. 

Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

This is the most iconic landmark in Houston and the entry is free. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/acordova/14915840286/in/photostream/

So, that's it about a quick 1 day trip to Houston. 

Other Attractions:

Hermann Park, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Bayou bend collection and Gardens, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic site, Cockrell Butterfly center, James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace and Kemah Broadwalk are some of the places I would love to visit someday. 

Until next time,