Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center


Four miles south of town, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center exhibits the region's flora in gardens and on trails. Take a 2-mile hike down into a canyon, watch butterflies flitting around wildflower gardens, check out a permanent exhibit on mining or visit the cactus greenhouse.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Overland Trail Museum

4.93 MILES

Pioneer doohickeys and Old West thing-a-majigs are on display in the former home of early settler Nick Mersfelter, located right along the stagecoach…

2. Rattlers & Reptiles

5.01 MILES

Snakes, spiders, scorpions…all the things you should check your boots for before you put them on can be seen on display at this funky little museum. Sure,…

3. Fort Davis National Historic Site

5.07 MILES

Established in 1854, this well-preserved, beautifully sited frontier fort was named for then–Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. Staffed exclusively by…

4. Davis Mountains State Park

6.86 MILES

For majestic sunrises and sunsets, this remote park rivals any we've seen – and we've seen plenty. This wonderful place is just 3 miles northwest of Fort…

5. McDonald Observatory

14.75 MILES

The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke…

6. Hancock Hill

16.41 MILES

Behind Sul Ross State University, a trail leads up the dusty slopes of Hancock Hill. As well as offering fine views of the area, the hill holds some…

7. Museum of the Big Bend

16.47 MILES

On the campus of Sul Ross State University, this great little museum holds exhibits on locally found marine fossils, Native American pictographs, Spanish…

8. Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Area

18.72 MILES

Ghost lights, mystery lights…call them what you want, but the Marfa Lights, flickering beneath the Chinati Mountains, have been capturing travelers’…