Texas Geocaching Association
TXGA Lone Star Roundup 2024
Davis Mountains State Park
October 19, 2024
10am - 5pm
Each year, we travel to a different part of the state for our Fall RoundUp event. This year we round up in far-western Texas.
We understand this is a long drive for most so we have created the event page early to give everyone tme for planning. Mark your calendars and log a Will Attend to keep abreast of developments.
Fort Davis is at over 5000 feet in elevation and the average October high and low temperatures range between 78 and 47F. Freezes and snow are unlikely but can occur. Dress accordingly!
Here is a little backround/history on the Davis Mountains State Park. There is an entrance fee to the State Park.
Davis Mountains State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
The park s a 2,709-acre state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, TX. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5,000 and 6,000 ft above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a local family.
Interest in developing a state park in the Davis Mountains began in earnest in 1923 when the Texas Legislature directed the newly created State Parks Board to investigate the area. However, the Parks Board failed to secure any land donations and had no appropriations to buy the land.
By 1933, the Great Depression had so devastated the local economy that landowners agreed to donate 560 acres for the park. CCC Companies 879 and 881 arrived in June 1933 and began organizing their encampment, which they named Camp Washington Seawell, after the first commander of nearby Fort Davis. Their developments in the park included roads, an overlook shelter, two mess halls, stone picnic tables, fireplaces and steps, a latrine and "Indian Lodge," a motel and visitor facility. The Civilian Conservation Corps built "Indian Lodge" in the 1930s.
The park is next to the Fort Davis National Historic Site and the two are connected by four miles of hiking trails. Within the park is the "Indian Lodge", an adobe motel with thirty-nine rooms (The hotel is currently under renovation). Sixteen rooms were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s (completed in 1939) and twenty-four were added in a 1967 expansion by Texas Parks and Wildlife. A large bird blind next to the main road offers enclosed and open viewing areas for the many species of birds that are attracted to the feeders near the blind.
Here is our initial agenda for the weekend (we will be updating the page with actual event information once events are finalized 3 months out)
Thursday - October 17th
- 6pm - Locks of Love Flash Mob - https://coord.info/GCAVQWM
Friday - October 18th
- 6pm - Spicewood Restaurant in Alpine - https://coord.info/GCAW3J3
- 8pm - Marfa Lights Viewing Area (20 miles from Alpine) - https://coord.info/GCAVRZT
- 10pm - After Hours in Alpine - https://coord.info/GCAW3N1
Saturday - October 19th
RoundUp Agenda
- 10am - Arrival
- All Day - SWAG Pickup and Purchase
- All Day - Trackable Table - bring any trackables that you wish to send on their way
- All Day - Caching in the Park and local area
- 11am - 4pm GeoPoker Run (1st Place $25 Gift Card, 2nd Place $15 Gift Card, 3rd Place $10 Gift Card)
- Coordinates will publish at 11am
- Hands must be submitted by 4pm
- 11am - 4pm Closest to the Pin - Multiple Variations (GeoCoins for 1st/2nd/3rd)
- 2pm - Adjourn to the Caboose for Ice Cream
- 4pm - Announcement/Awards Ceremony and Picture
- 2pm - Ice Cream Social in Fort Davis (Located at the Caboose across the highway from the entrance to the Fort Davis Historic Site) - https://coord.info/GCAVT03
- 6pm - TXGA Cookout/Potluck - https://coord.info/GCAVT0X
- TXGA provides hamburgers/hotdogs, fixin's, and utensils/plates.
- Each group/family should bring a potluck item for sharing.
- Everyone is responsible for their own beverages. (Alcohol is not allowed in any Texas state park.)
- Bring chairs
Sunday - October 20th
- 9am - CITO - https://coord.info/GCAVT12
SWAG! SWAG! SWAG!
We have some great designs for our SWAG - even f you are not attending take a look and adzd some cool stuff to your collection! TXGA Store
Dining Options
- Dining options in Fort Davis are limited. (There are no fast-food establishments). The Lowe's grocery market has a convenience store area open after 7am. For Daytime and evening meals, there are two food trucks and the Hotel Limpia dining room.
- Marfa has a DQ
Lodging Options (Hotels/RV/Camp)
- Alpine has a number of chain hotels/motels.
- Paisano Hotel in Marfa has luxury accomodations
- Some options in Marfa/Fort Davis
- The park has an array of RV hookups as well as many sites for tent camping. The lodge is being renovated and may not be available. If you plan to stay in the park, you are encouraged to make your reservations soon. You can use the link above.
Other interesting sights/locations to visit, so plan on coming early and staying late:
- Prada Storefront Prada Marfa – Ballroom Marfa
- Marfa Art Scene Marfa Lights | Marfa Texas (visitmarfa.com)
- McDonald Observatory McDonald Observatory | Visitor information, teacher workshops, public programs in Fort Davis, Texas
- Star Party - starts at 8:15pm (2 hrs) - Tickets Available for Friday and Saturday Night
- Solar Viewing/Tour - starts at 1 pm (3 hrs) - Tickets Available for Saturday
- Chihuahan Desert Research Institute Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Home (cdri.org)
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
- Big Bend National Park Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
- Big Bend Ranch State Park Big Bend Ranch State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Architecture - Marfa (Second Empire) and Fort Davis (Classic Revival) are two attractive court houses. The Lawn on the Fort Davis court house has representatives of all of the tree species found in Jefferson Davis County.
- 75 Mile Mountain Loop Scenic Drive begins and ends in Fort Davis.