Where is Fort Davis, Fort Davis, Texas?

Written by | Updated On: December 09, 2025, 14:28 ET

Fort Davis is located in western Texas, USA. It lies between Fort Stockton and Alpine and is situated in the Davis Mountains area. It is famous for being a well-preserved frontier military post that protected settlers and travelers in the 19th century.

Fort Davis Location Map, Fort Davis, Texas

Top Attractions Inside Fort Davis

  • Visitor Center & Museum – Offers an introductory film and exhibits about the fort’s frontier‑military and cultural history.
  • Restored Barracks & Historic Buildings – Tour 6 furnished 1880s‑era buildings including officers’ quarters, enlisted men’s barracks and the post hospital.
  • Ruins & Foundations – Explore over 100 original structures’ remains to understand the full scale of the 19th‑century fort.
  • Daily History Presentations – Hear bugle calls and period‑music “retreat parade” sound‑presentations that bring the fort back to life.
  • Hiking Trails & Scenic Overlook – Walk trails that connect into Davis Mountains State Park and offer scenic views of the surrounding mountains and fort.
  • Junior Ranger Program – Educational activity for kids to learn about frontier life and fort history during the visit.

Fort Davis Facts

Official NameFort Davis National Historic Site
LocationFort Davis, Jeff Davis County, Texas, USA
Latitude & Longitude≈ 30.5992° N, 103.8928° W
Total Area≈ 523 acres (≈ 212 hectares) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Opened / EstablishedEstablished October 1854 (original fort) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Named After / FounderNamed for Jefferson Davis (Secretary of War at time) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Managed ByNational Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
RegionDavis Mountains / Trans‑Pecos West Texas
Address101 Lt. Flipper Dr., Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Type19th‑century U.S. Army frontier fort / Historic military post / Heritage & cultural site :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Historical Role / PurposeProtected emigrants, mail coaches, freight wagons and travelers along the San Antonio–El Paso Road and Chihuahua Trail; controlled Southern stem of Great Comanche & Mescalero Apache war trails (1854–1891) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Significant Military UnitsPost re‑occupied 1867 — station for African‑American regiments (Buffalo Soldiers): 9th & 10th Cavalry, 24th & 25th Infantry :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Structures / Remains24 restored historic buildings + 100+ ruins and foundations (barracks, officers’ quarters, hospital, commissary, officers’ row, etc.) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Historic Use Ended / AbandonedFort abandoned / deactivated 1891 :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Historic DesignationDesignated a U.S. National Historic Landmark (1960) and added to the National Register of Historic Places (1966) :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Current Use / FacilitiesVisitor Center & Museum, restored historic buildings open to public, self‑guided & ranger‑led tours, hiking trails, living history demonstrations in summer, interpretive exhibits, historical reenactments :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Opening Hours / AccessOpen daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (except certain holidays) :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Nearby Geographic / Natural FeaturesSits at foot of Sleeping Lion Mountain and near Limpia Creek; part of rugged terrain of the Davis Mountains volcanic range :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
Significance / Cultural ImportanceOne of the best‑preserved examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest; illustrates U.S. western expansion, Indian Wars era, African‑American military history, frontier life, and 19th‑century military architecture & logistics :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/foda :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

Distances from Fort Davis to Nearby Landmarks

  • Fort Davis National Historic Site – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Davis Mountains State Park – 10 km (6.2 mi)
  • McDonald Observatory – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Fort Davis Scenic Loop – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Chihuahua Desert Visitor Center – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Fort Davis Drugstore Museum – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Davis Mountain Loop Drive – 12 km (7.5 mi)
  • Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center – 7 km (4.3 mi)
  • Glass Mountains – 60 km (37.3 mi)
  • Marathon, TX – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Big Bend National Park – 220 km (136.7 mi)
  • Alpine, TX – 80 km (49.7 mi)
  • Fort Davis Visitor Center – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Davis Mountains Preserve – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Emory Peak Trailhead – 200 km (124.3 mi)
  • Mount Livermore – 25 km (15.5 mi)
  • Rio Grande Village – 215 km (133.6 mi)
  • Chinati Mountains – 40 km (24.9 mi)
  • Presidio, TX – 220 km (136.7 mi)
  • Fort Davis Post Cemetery – 1 km (0.6 mi)