The Chihuahuan
Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens, a facility
of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, is located 4 miles south of Fort Davis,
TX, on Highway 118. The Nature Center sits at an elevation of 5040 ft. and covers 507 acres.
A
Visitors’ Center, outdoor exhibits, botanical gardens, a greenhouse, and
hiking trails are open to visitors year-round. Hours
of operations are Monday through Saturday from 9 to 5. The Nature
Center
is closed on major holidays.
The adobe Visitors’ Center houses interpretive exhibits, the Leapin’
Lizards Nature Shop, and administrative offices. A geologic timeline
constructed of rock samples from the Trans Pecos region of Texas
borders the front sidewalk, while a Wildscape
Demonstration Garden surrounds the Visitors’ Center with over 67 species of native plants that
provide food and shelter for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife.
Just to the north of the Visitors’ Center, the Chihuahuan Desert Mining
Heritage Exhibit interprets area mining with a replica of a late-19th century
mining operation, mining artifacts, and examples of minerals and ores from
historic mines in the region.
A self-guided, walking tour takes visitors through the 20-acre Botanical
Gardens to the Cactus & Succulent Greenhouse, located just under a 1/4
mile from the Visitors’ Center. Over 165 species of trees, shrubs, and
perennial forbs of the Chihuahuan Desert region are featured in the gardens. Approximately 200 species of
Chihuahuan
Desert cacti are represented in our greenhouse collection and are being preserved for biodiversity conservation. The gardens and greenhouse offer
interest year-round, but peak bloom-time arrives in the gardens with our late
summer rains and in the greenhouse in March.
Visitors are also encouraged to experience the natural setting of the Nature Center
on over 3 miles of hiking trails and paths. All trails begin at the
Visitors’ Center, vary in length and difficulty, and may be looped together
or abbreviated, depending on what suits your needs. We recommend sturdy shoes,
hats, and water, even for short and easy excursions.
The Modesta Canyon Trail features permanent springs and pools, fascinating
geology, and a rich display of flora and fauna, including the secretive
Montezuma Quail and some of the largest
Texas
madrone trees in the state. This is a moderately strenuous, 1 ¾ mile hike.
Plan to spend 1 ½ to 2 hours as you explore the canyon and surrounding
grasslands. Numbered signs along the trail correspond to an interpretive guide
that is available for purchase in the Nature Shop.
The Clayton’s Overlook Trail takes visitors to the highest point on the
property (5220 ft.) and overlooks miles of breathtaking scenery. This moderately strenuous, 1 ½ mile hike takes approximately 1 to 1 ½
hours to complete as a loop. You may choose an abbreviated, moderately steep
hike up to the Overlook and then down just for the views from the top—a ½
mile round-trip hike taking ½ to ¾ hours.
For visitors with limited time to spend at the Nature
Center, the Hummingbird & Butterfly Trail provides an opportunity to experience
the beauty and diversity of this area on a ¼ mile loop trail adjacent to the
Botanical Gardens. This small loop is easy to moderate and offers wonderful
sitting rocks atop a small overlook.
Plan to take an
hour to half of a day to explore the Nature Center. Come discover the desert!
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