Discover Mutt Expeditions in the Davis Mountains of Texas
- Luie Boone
- Sep 27
- 9 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.
Have you ever been in a "sky island" ecosystem? And, no, Luie Boone, were not talking about an actual island in the sky, like your hooman siblings used to create in Minecraft. Sky Island ecosystems, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, are isolated mountain ranges with towering peaks reaching around 10,000 feet. Surrounded by desert valleys and grasslands, these ecosystems host a remarkable mix of climate, terrain, and geography—which supports an unusually diverse and often endangered collection of plant and animal life found nowhere else. Intrigued? Interested? Want to visit one?
Well, guess what? The Davis Mountains in Texas are classified as a Sky Island ecosystem. This forested mountain range rises dramatically from the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert, creating a unique and isolated habitat that serves as a crucial sanctuary for wildlife such as black bears and Rivoli's hummingbirds. And those mountains? They are remnants of ancient volcanic activity! You can see the volcanic origins along canyon walls in the Davis Mountains State Park.
Hiking is an absolute must in the Davis Mountains of Texas. As mentioned previously, the Davis Mountains State Park shows off remnants of ancient volcanic activity, which helped craft the landscape! You'll also get to enjoy the amazing panoramic views and venture along its very sniff-able trails. Be sure to also check out the Fort Davis National Historic Site, which was one of the frontier military posts during the Indian Wars! It protected emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons during the wars. Dogs are allowed on these historic grounds, where you can both get a little sniff of history. Another local gem is the McDonald Observatory, which is an astronomical observatory that is operated by the local University of Texas at Austin. Although pooches are not allowed inside, there are areas around and near the observatory that you can take your pooch for a stroll along. They might not be able to see the stars inside the observatory... but, outside on those trails? All they have to do is look up to enjoy the beauty of the sky!
There is an abundance of nearby towns that Luie Boone suggests that you visit. Each town has its own unique charm and reasons to visit:
The community of Fort Davis is located in the heart of the mountains. It is rich in history and charm. In fact, it was named in 1854 after the then Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Did you know that Jefferson Davis served as the only president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865? In Fort Davis, Luie Boone recommends checking out the Fort Davis Drug Store. This building is over 70 years old! It was established in 1913 as a central hub for the community. Over the years, it evolved into a full-serve restaurant and hotel, while maintaining its 22-foot antique soda fountain! Local lodging options in Fort Davis, such as the Stone Village Inn and Indian Lodge, allow pets. We recommend you also check out the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens while in Fort Davis. There, you can explore the trails with your dog and take in the beautiful nature.
The city of Alpine is located in the foothills of the Davis Mountains. It is a member of the largest protected dark sky areas in the world! Because of that, you can enjoy the mysterious and unidentified Marfa Lights. These lights are unpredictable and are visible less than 30 times a year. Although research from a scientific study claims the lights are likely distorted automobile headlines, many believe there is much more to them. While in Alpine, you can visit local dog-friendly cafés, such as the Reata Restaurant which welcome dogs. Local pet-friendly accommodations include the La Posada Hotel. For some outdoor fun, you can take a stroll through Kokernot Park, which is a large green space. Or you can head just outside of town and hike parts of the Hancock Hill Trails.
The town of Marfa might be remote, but it reigns superior as a global hub for minimalistic art! Here, you can check out art installations from Donald Judd and Prada Marfa. There is also the Marfa Lights Viewing Area, which is a paw-some spot to try to catch a look at those mysterious lights. Pet-friendly accommodation includes Hotel Paisano or El Cosmico.
The city of Balmorhea is known for the Balmorhea State Park, which is a 46-acre state park. At the state park, you can swim, scuba or skin dive, camp, geocache, study nature, and bird watch! Dogs can enjoy walking trails and picnic areas. Luie Boone says you better not forget your picnic basket and all those yummy snacks! After a stroll around the park, you can head into Balmorhea and enjoy some food at Matta‘s Burger Place, a beloved destination for food lovers seeking an unforgettable dining experience.
Marathon is a small town, serving as a gateway to the Big Bend National Park. This national park is the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert! Back in Marathon, there are many outdoor-friendly restaurants, including White Buffalo Bar & Grill. Luie might not be a buffalo, but he feels like he could pretend as a white labrador—all he really needs are some horns! One pet-friendly lodging spot is the Gage Hotel. Did you know that Luie Boone has a hooman brother named Gage? He wonders what Gage that hotel was named after. Another great spot in Marathon is the Post Road Trail, which has incredible desert views
The town of Valetine is another small town. In fact, it had a population of only 134 at the 2010 census! This town is great for a quieter vibe. You can take peaceful desert walks and check out the local wildlife. Just outside the town, there is a quirky Prada Marfa art installation. Luie Boone cannot wait to make a stop there and take a funny picture for his family.
Please note that traveling with your dog in a hot climate like the Davis Mountains of Texas requires preparation. There is a high heat during the day and a cooler feel at night. We always recommend that you bring plenty of water to keep your pooch (and yourself) hydrated. It's also not a bad idea to bring a long a first aid kit, just in case of injury to pooch or hooman.
Luie Boone cannot wait to go on vacation to the Davis Mountains of Texas, where every paw print leaves a lasting memory!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Davis Mountains of Texas. Check it out below!
Rental Name: K&W Ranchita
This rental has 3 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2 bathrooms.
Photos are courtesy of K&W Ranchita.
It features the following amenities:
Beautiful views of Mitre Peak and the Davis Mountains
Swing bed under the large, covered porch
BBQ grill
Outdoor furniture
Fire pit
Plungie pool
Outdoor shower
22-acre property
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My tail is wagging so hard at the thought of a vacation to K&W Ranchita in the Davis Mountains of Texas. My hoomans have told me all about the ranch. To me, it sounds like a total pup paradise. There's 22 acres to explore, a big fenced-in yard with soft grass, and a plungie pool! The pool is perfect for my hoomans to cool off in after long adventures in the summer Texas sun. Inside, is a stocked kitchen, big bedrooms, and a comfy living room for napping. Outside, there is a porch swing for my hoomans to relax on. They seem to think my big tooshie will cause the swing to collapse. My tooshie isn't that big. Whatever, I think we should talk about Wilson instead. Wilson is a Saint Bernard, who used to live there. My hoomans told me that he loved guarding the place and napping under his favorite tree. That's where Wilson is buried now. When I visit, I will sit by Wilson's tree for a while and express my gratitude for letting my family stay here. I bet he was an amazing pooch, and I cannot wait to honor his memory.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in the Davis Mountains of Texas!
Davis Mountains State Park
The Davis Mountains State Park welcomes leashed pups to roam its trails with their owners. This is a historic park, which offers many recreational activities—including hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horse riding, camping, and taking a scenic mountain drive. The miles of trails at the state park make for days' worth of fun and adventure with your best friend. Luie Boone reckons he needs a sick pair of sunglasses like the pooch pictured to the left. He could plop his big tooshie on the table and recreate that photo perfectly!
Officer's Row
At Officer's Row, you can take a stroll with your pooch, while getting a glimpse into the lives of former officers and their families. The restored homes on Officer's Row contrast sharply with the ruins of other structures. This shows the divide in living standards between the officers and the enlisted men during the Texas–Indian wars. To get to this attraction, you can traverse the North Ridge Trail, the Hospital Canyon Trail, the Tall Grass Loop Trail, or the Scenic Overlook Trail.
Madera Canyon Trail
The Madera Canyon Trail is a 2.4-mile scenic loop trail, with most of the trail located on sloping terrain. After crossing over the Madera Creek (and, probably, like us, watching your pooch make a big splash in the creek), you will continue on the trail through a Pinyon-Oak-Juniper Woodlands to a scenic view of the tall Mount Livermore. This mountain stands at over 8,300 feet!
Gage Gardens
The Gage Gardens is a dog-friendly oasis, which offers ample space for dogs to play and explore. The park includes a designated dog run area, as well as open fields where pups can run freely. Your pup can also enjoy the beautiful gardens and the refreshing atmosphere, especially in the back acres where dogs can splash around in the pond. Luie Boone has decided to do at least 10 big cannonballs into the pond.
Marfa Lights
You have to bring your dog to witness the unexplained phenomena of lights dancing on the horizon southeast of Marfa, Texas. The mysterious Marfa lights have been reported for years. They appear red, blue and white at separate times! The area where the lights appear is difficult to traverse and nearly uninhabited, which can make the lights all the more inexplicable. Your pup can join you at the official pet-friendly Marfa Lights Viewing Center.
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens
This nature center and botanical gardens encompass 507-acres of fun! There are historic artifacts and ore displays to check out, which highlight the 19th-century mining done in the area. Don't miss out the demonstration greenhouse, which grows 200 species of cacti and succulents! Nearby pooch friendly hiking trails lead to overlooks and a canyon.
Hancock Hill
Luie Boone reckons that you must bring your buddy to the 1.3-mile Hancock Hill trail, which provides lovely views of Alpine and its surrounding mountain landscape! The end of the trail is marked by an old desk. This old desk was drug to the top by former students at Sul Ross State University. Make sure to sign the notebook left on the desk! Your dog can get their paw a little wet and mark it, too. Don't miss the damaged bicycle, which was hung from a tree nearby. It led to a variety of other bikes and even a tricycle to join its hanging demise. The quirkiness of Hancock Hill has created a curiosity that keeps amused visitors entertained and pulling out their cameras to snap pictures!
Cow Dog
Luie Boone gets called a "cow" sometimes by his hoomans, who are less than impressed with how quickly he scarfs down his food. So, Cow Dog? That sounds like best restaurant for hm. Cow Dog serves up a variety of specialty hot dogs from the window of their food truck, which is based on Holland Avenue in Alpine, Texas. While they don't have a full dog menu, they do offer a "Dog-Dog," which is a plain hot dog for your pup to enjoy!
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
The Davis Mountains of Texas
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
The Davis Mountains in Texas sound pup approved. However, that famous food truck there called Cow Dog? I'm a little skeptical about that. From what I heard, the line at the food truck can get very, very, very long because the hoomans are taking fur-ever to decide what toppings to pile on their hot dogs. Guacamole? Blue cheese? Salsa? Bacon? The options are endless. I'll be pacing, panting, and drooling, as I wait for my dog-dog. It's a plain, juicy hot dog—and it's all for me. Just one perfect hot dog that's entirely for me to devour (or maybe two, if I pull out the puppy eyes). For this I will wait!!
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