Davis Mountains State Park Announces OPEN HOUSE April 25-26

FORT DAVIS— The mile-high state park right around the corner is holding our first Open House on April 25-26, 2014! This is a free event to highlight the park’s recreational opportunities available to the local residents of West Texas 365 days a year.

Some of the featured events include an Art Show spotlighting the rich diversity and talents of Big Bend artists, a wildlife tracking workshop, How to Build a Bat House demonstration, a Dutch Oven Cook-off, and entertainment by the “Moondog Trio” from Marfa. The park’s rangers will lead several guided hikes to beautiful mountain overlooks and a wide variety of nature programs for adults and children will be offered by the park and guest speakers. We will hold contests during the open house to test your skills in bird identification, trail racing, and you will be able to submit entries for the statewide Arts-in-the-Parks contest held annually.

Contest information:

• We are still accepting entries for the Dutch Oven Cook-Off Saturday, April 26. This is a 1-pot challenge. All contestants must bring all necessary supplies. Judging to take place at 3pm. Please call the state park headquarters at 432-426-3337 to register. Registration deadline is April 19, 2014.
• Registration for the trail races will take place on Friday. Race time is 9:00 am Saturday.
• Bird ID Challenge: Sign up at the Open House. Contestants will record as many species as possible from 9:00am-4:00pm on either day of the open house. Final lists to be turned in at the Interpretive Center at 4pm. Prize to be awarded the following week.

Our Texas State Parks are consistently recognized as some of the very best in the country. If you have never seen your local Davis Mountains State Park, or it has been a while, this is the best time to bring the entire family and to hike, bike, stargaze, and learn about the animals and plants of the Davis Mountains!

Volunteers are needed for this event, please contact the park to apply.