The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center outside of Fort Davis opens the mysteries of the desert to the visitors who hike the trails or wander the gardens.
The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North America, covering around 200,000 square miles from deep into Mexico up to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Almost all of West Texas and the Big Bend from west of Ozona to El Paso and from the New Mexico border to the Rio Grande are ensnared by the great desert.
The landscape varies from sand dunes to rolling grasslands broken by mounds of rust-colored rocks and deep canyons. Indigenous people say this is where the creator dropped all the leftover pieces from assembling the world.
Spring and fall are the perfect times to explore the CDNC. Begin at the Powell Visitor Center to hike the more than 6 miles of trails encircling Modesta Canyon. From Clayton’s Overlook the desert spreads out with mountains in the distance. The landmarks are named for oilman and rancher Clayton Williams and his wife Modesta, who supported the 507-acre Nature Center when it was established in 1974.
Near the bottom of the canyon is Modesta Springs, a rare desert water hole. The narrow canyon supports 17 different species of ferns, several types of trees, and hidden critters in an otherwise dry environment.
Don’t miss a walk through the Cactus Museum next to the visitor center. About 345 species of the 1,500 types of cactus in the world are found in the Chihuahuan Desert. The outdoor museum has around 200 kinds, one of the world’s largest collections. Inside the greenhouse are some of the most amazing plants you will see anywhere.
The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center is about 4 miles east of Fort Davis on Highway 118. Admission is $6.50, but dogs and children are admitted free. For more information, go to www.cdri.org.
This article appears in October 4 • 2024.
