With more than four miles of front and backcountry trails, Fort Davis National Historic Site invites hikers, photographers, and history enthusiasts to explore its rugged terrain and historic landscapes.
The park’s network of trails ranges from short, accessible paths to steep, strenuous climbs through the Davis Mountains, offering options for every visitor.
One of the most accessible hikes is the Photographers Trail, a short path on Sleeping Lion Mountain with an elevation change of just 46 feet. Starting northwest of the parking lot, it provides scenic views ideal for photography without the physical demands of longer hikes.
Those seeking more challenge can head to the Tall Grass Loop Trail, a 0.8-mile one-way hike with a 320-foot elevation gain. The trail begins just after the wooden bridge at the northwest corner of the Parade Grounds. Its steep switchbacks and occasional stairs require effort, especially when the ground is slick after rain.
Also starting from the same wooden bridge, the Scenic Overlook Trail climbs through the eroded lava flows of the south-facing palisades to the North Ridge. With a similar elevation gain of 320 feet, this 0.4-mile one-way hike rewards visitors with sweeping views of the historic site.
Behind the Post Hospital, the Hospital Canyon Trail begins at a marked boulder. The 0.7-mile one-way trail climbs 325 feet to the North Ridge. It includes exposed areas and switchbacks but offers benches along the route and is popular among birdwatchers.
The North Ridge Trail, perched at 5,225 feet, spans 0.3 miles and connects to three other trails: Hospital Canyon, Scenic Overlook, and Tall Grass Loop. Hikers can walk among rhyolite boulders and enjoy panoramic views of the Davis Mountains.
For a gentler experience, visitors can follow the Cemetery Trail and the Historic Pump House Trail, both starting at the northwest corner of the Parade Grounds bridge. The Cemetery Trail stretches 0.2 miles to the site of the post-Civil War cemetery, marked by an interpretive panel explaining the 1892 reinterment of graves to San Antonio National Cemetery. The Historic Pump House Trail continues for 0.6 miles north past the cemetery panel.
At the east end of the park’s parking lot, the Historic San Antonio-El Paso Road trail offers a flat, 0.7-mile walk along a preserved section of the route once used by settlers heading to California during the gold rush.
Trail users are advised to prepare for steep climbs, sun exposure, and variable conditions depending on recent weather. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/foda.
Photographers Trail, NPS Image
