Van Horn TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Van Horn, Texas.
1. The Red Rock Ranch
ANCIENT ROCK FORMATIONS
The Red Rock Ranch offers guided driving and hiking tours providing visitors with magnificent views of wind-carved Precambrian rock formations. Visitors can explore panoramic vistas, centuries-old Indian campsites, petroglyphs, pictographs, and an old Western movie set. Located just 4 miles from Van Horn, this ranch adventure showcases native plants, wildlife, and an original 1880 homestead.
2. Clark Hotel Museum
HISTORIC LOCAL HERITAGE
The Clark Hotel Museum preserves the local history of Van Horn and is located just 1 mile from the town center. This historic building houses artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Van Horn's development through the years. Visitors can step back in time and learn about the cultural heritage of this West Texas crossroads town.
3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
TEXAS' HIGHEST PEAK
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an 86,416-acre park located 61 miles from Van Horn that features the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet. The park boasts diverse landscapes ranging from desert terrain to wooded mountains with miles of hiking trails. McKittrick Canyon within the park provides breathtaking views and opportunities to explore the natural beauty of West Texas.
4. McDonald Observatory
STARGAZING AND ASTRONOMY
McDonald Observatory sits atop a mountain in the Davis Mountains, approximately 74 miles from Van Horn. This world-class astronomical research facility offers visitors star parties, tours, and educational programs about the cosmos. The observatory's remote location provides some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States, making it an ideal spot for stargazing.
5. Historic Fort Davis
FRONTIER MILITARY POST
The Historic Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post, located 79 miles from Van Horn. Established in 1854, the fort was a key post in the defense system of western Texas. Today, visitors can explore restored buildings, exhibits, and learn about life on the frontier during the late 1800s.
6. Davis Mountains State Park
SCENIC MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Davis Mountains State Park offers beautiful mountain views and is located near Fort Davis, a scenic drive from Van Horn. The park provides excellent opportunities for bird watching, camping, and hiking through its rugged terrain. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains while exploring trails that wind through one of Texas's most scenic areas.
7. Big Bend National Park
VAST DESERT WILDERNESS
Big Bend National Park encompasses over 800,000 acres of river, desert, and mountain environments located 172 miles from Van Horn. The park features dramatic landscapes including the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande, creating a diverse ecosystem home to thousands of species of plants and animals. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic drives, and experience the solitude of one of America's most remote national parks.
8. Big Bend Ranch State Park
TEXAS' LARGEST STATE PARK
Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas's largest state park, spanning over 300,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert wilderness 168 miles from Van Horn. The park offers rugged mountains, deep canyons, ancient cultural sites, and the Rio Grande along its southern boundary. Visitors can engage in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and river rafting in this remote natural area.
9. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Carlsbad Caverns National Park features spectacular underground limestone caves located 105 miles from Van Horn. The caverns extend 750 feet below ground at a cool 56°F and offer self-guided and ranger-led tours through chambers with impressive rock formations. Visitors can either walk down from the natural entrance or take an elevator to explore miles of trails through this subterranean wonderland.
10. Fort Leaton
HISTORIC BORDER FORTIFICATION
Fort Leaton is a historic site located 138 miles from Van Horn that served as a trading post and private fortress in the mid-1800s. The adobe structure was built by Ben Leaton, who operated it as a center for trade and protection along the U.S.-Mexico border. Today, the restored fort serves as a visitors center and museum that tells the story of the borderlands and early settlement in the region.
11. Texas Mountain Trail
SCENIC DRIVING ROUTE
The Texas Mountain Trail is a designated scenic drive that passes through Van Horn and connects many West Texas attractions. This driving route showcases the diverse landscapes of the region, including mountains, deserts, and historic towns. Travelers can experience breathtaking vistas and discover the natural and cultural heritage of West Texas at their own pace.
12. Van Horn City Park
LOCAL OUTDOOR RECREATION
Van Horn City Park offers outdoor recreation facilities for residents and visitors in the heart of town. The park includes green spaces, picnic areas, and community gathering spots. It serves as a pleasant oasis for relaxation and leisure activities in this desert community.
13. Museum of the Big Bend
REGIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the Big Bend region of Texas. Located about 100 miles from Van Horn, this museum features exhibits on paleontology, geology, Native American cultures, and the development of ranching in West Texas. The museum provides educational programs and rotating exhibits that offer insights into the unique character of this remote part of Texas.
14. Blue Origin Launch Site One
COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT FACILITY
Blue Origin Launch Site One is Jeff Bezos' private spacecraft testing and launching facility located near Van Horn. The site serves as the base for Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket program and commercial space tourism operations. While not generally open for public tours, visitors to the area might witness launches or view the facility from designated public areas.
15. Balmorhea State Park
DESERT OASIS SWIMMING POOL
Balmorhea State Park features the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Located within driving distance of Van Horn, the 1.75-acre pool is fed by San Solomon Springs, which pumps 15 million gallons of water daily. Visitors can swim alongside fish in the crystal-clear waters that maintain a refreshing temperature of 72-76 degrees year-round.