West Texas: See The Highest Point on Texas Highways, Davis Mountains State Park

Our first week-long adventure in Stella, our Airstream, took us through West Texas and beyond, blending history, nature, and family exploration through canyons, mountains, and starry skies.

We reflected on the tragedy in Uvalde, hiked the ancient rock art trails of Seminole Canyon, and soaked in mountain views at Davis Mountains State Park.

A visit to the McDonald Observatory had us reaching for the stars, while an impromptu stop at Balmorhea State Park provided a refreshing swim in its spring-fed oasis. From scenic hikes to Junior Ranger badges, this trip reminded us why we choose to travel and adventure in our RV.

Trip Dates (9 Nights): Friday, May 27th, 2022 – Sunday, June 5th, 2022
Part 1 (this post): Seminole Canyon SP, Davis Mountains SP, Balmorhea SP
Part 2 (coming soon): Carlsbad NM, Roswell NM, Pecos TX

The Departure
Balancing the kids’ school and our work schedules means we have to maximize every moment for adventure. Sometimes, that means rolling up to school pickup in our Airstream right at the dismissal bell on Friday at 3 PM to kick off our early summer Memorial Day road trip. Who else has done this?

An Emotional Stop in Ulvalde, TX
Our first destination was Seminole Canyon State Park, about 4.5 hours from Austin, TX. While stopping for gas and taking a break, we realized Uvalde was on our route.

For those who recall, the Uvalde school shooting occurred just three days earlier on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School. As we drove through town, the weight of the community’s grief was undeniable. We made an impromptu stop, standing in quiet reflection, our hearts heavy for the families whose lives were forever changed. It was an emotional moment we won’t forget.

World-Class Pictographs at Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Located near the Rio Grande in West Texas, Seminole Canyon State Park is a rugged, scenic escape filled with ancient rock art and deep history.

We arrived just before sunset at 8:30 PM, giving us just enough time to set up camp before dark. With only 1.5 days to explore, we made the most of it!

The park is home to Fate Bell Shelter, one of North America’s most significant rock art sites, where visitors can view prehistoric Native American pictographs on a guided tour. It is considered a fairly rugged hike and is around 1.5-mile round-trip taking typically 1.5 hours.

Hit the trail to experience the full spectrum of the park’s 12,000-year-old cultural heritage, its exposed geology, and diverse plants and animals.

For hikers, the park offers six trails ranging from a short 0.1-mile birding loop to the challenging 4.9-mile Canyon Rim Trail that traverses the rims of Seminole Canyon and the Rio Grande corridor. The Rio Grande Trail, the second longest trail at this state park is a moderate 2.3-mile hike.

Families with younger kids can enjoy shorter, easier trails like the Windmill Nature Trail (0.5 miles) or Presa Overlook Trail (0.6 miles), providing an alternative route to Panther Cave Overlook.

Next Stop – Fort Davis and Davis Mountains State Park
West Texas road trips = dusty windshields. Luckily, the kids love helping clean them at truck stops while we fill up on diesel!

With clear windshields and full tanks, we were off to Davis Mountains State Park, our campground home base for the next few days.

Nestled in the mountains, Davis Mountains State Park provides a cool, forested retreat with spacious RV sites. Our full-hookup site was incredible, complete with a large concrete pavilion that provided much-needed shade from the Texas sun.

The park has seven scenic trails ranging from 0.3 to 5.6 miles, including:

• Skyline Drive Trail (2.6 mi., moderate-challenging) – Offers panoramic views of Fort Davis and historic CCC buildings.
• Headquarters Trail (0.3 mi. easy) – Overlooks Keesey Canyon and ends at the Emory Oak Wildlife Viewing area.
• Montezuma Quail Trail (09. mi., moderate-challenging) – Desert hike winding through cactus-dotted terrain, often rewarding hikers with glimpses of the elusive Montezuma quail.
• Sheep Pen Canyon Loop (5.6 mi. loop, moderate) – Remote and strenuous loop offering solitude, rocky landscapes, and a true backcountry experience.

The Skyline Drive Trail is a 2.6 mi one-way trail that takes about 2-hours. It is moderate to challenging. From the Interpretive Center, the trail ascend 544 feet to Keesey Canyon Overlook. Follow Skyline Drive to see historic buildings and views of Fort Davis and local landmarks. Much like it sounds, you can drive up to the overlooks along this trail at Davis Mountains State Park for magnificent views.

The park also has nine points of interests, including:

• Indian Lodge – A historic, adobe-style hotel built by the CCC in the 1930s, offering a cozy retreat with Southwestern charm and modern comforts.
• Skyline Drive – Scenic mountain road offering breathtaking panoramic views of Davis Mountains State Park, perfect for sunset drives and stargazing.
• Keesey Canyon Overlook – The high point of the Skyline Drive Trail, showcasing dramatic canyon landscapes, one of the best spots for photos and quiet reflection.
• Interpretive Center – A hands-on educational hub featuring exhibits on the park’s wildlife, history, and geology, great for families and curious explorers.

We drove up to Keesey Canyon Overlook which is the high point on the Skyline Drive Trail soaking in the picturesque views and evening stargazing.

You can enjoy dramatic night skies from pretty much anywhere in Davis Mountains State Park or at your very own campsite!

Davis Mountains State Park Indian Lodge
While we prefer RV camping, we couldn’t pass up a quick visit to the historic Indian Lodge—a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-built, adobe-style hotel from the 1930s.

This Southwestern-style retreat features handmade adobe bricks, rustic woodwork, and 39 cozy rooms. Guests can enjoy the Black Bear Restaurant, a seasonal swimming pool, and easy trail access. History buffs will appreciate learning about the lodge’s New Deal-era construction under FDR’s CCC program.

University of Texas McDonald Observatory
Located within the Davis Mountains, this world-class observatory offers guided tours, solar viewings, and evening star parties. The observatory’s high-altitude location and clear desert skies provide exceptional views of the stars and planets, making it a must-visit for stargazers and a memorable experience for all ages.

I did promise you the highest point on Texas Highways. At 6,791 feet, the Summit of Mount Locke is the highest point on Texas highways. There you have it!

Fort Davis – The Frank N Bash Visitors Center and Stargazing Party
Unfortunately, cloudy skies canceled our reserved Star Party, but we still enjoyed the interactive exhibits and learning about dark-sky conservation.

Junior Ranger Program
No Texas State Park visit is complete without the kids earning their Junior Ranger badges!

To get their Junior Ranger badge, the kids learn about the park by exploring the park museum, do hikes, or watch a park movie. Then they work through an activity booklet completing an age appropriate number of activities.

Upon completing the requirements, we returned to the Visitor Center where a Park Ranger inducted the kids as Junior Rangers and getting their free badge, making a proud family moment 😉

Hungry Kids = Lunch at a Spring-Fed Pool
Just 36 minutes north of Davis Mountains State Park, the kids’ hunger alarm went off, so we made a pit stop at Balmorhea State Park for lunch.

Balmorhea’s crystal-clear, spring-fed pool is the largest in the world, stretching 1.3 acres. It was the perfect place for a quick picnic and a refreshing dip before heading toward Carlsbad, NM.

We wrote up a family and kid friendly guide to Balmorhea State Park here.

Would We Come Back to Davis Mountains State Park?
Absolutely! This park has so much to offer that a return visit is a must. Next time, we’d love to stay 4-5 days to tackle longer hikes, take in more scenic overlooks, and fully immerse ourselves in the peaceful mountain solitude.

A longer stay would also increase our chances of catching a clear night for the Star Party, giving us the full dark-sky experience. Until then, Davis Mountains remains one of our favorite Texas State Parks, and we can’t wait for the next adventure!