Overlooking the area’s signature red-hued outcroppings is Davis Mountains State Park (Hwy. 118, 432/426-3337, www.tpwd.state.tx.us). The park boasts 1,000 feet of elevation change and is a popular destination for hikers and campers who relish the natural beauty and cooler temperatures.

Considered one of Texas’s most scenic areas, the park showcases its namesake mountains, the most extensive range in the state. The park draws mountain bikers and hikers from across the state who marvel at the incredible views of the park’s picturesque canyon formed by Keesey Creek. Hard-core campers also appreciate the park’s Limpia Canyon Primitive Area, with 10 miles of backcountry hiking trails and primitive tent campsites.

Other popular activities include bird watching, stargazing, and cruising Skyline Drive, a paved road with two spectacular overlooks showcasing the Chinati Mountain Range, located 75 miles to the southwest. The park is also home to the famous Indian Lodge, a historic adobe hotel still in operation.