Featured Activity
One of Texas' most unusual historic sites, massive adobe fortress built by frontiersman Ben Leaton in 1848 immediately after Mexican War at strategic site on Chihuahua-San Antonio Trail in arid West Texas by the Rio Grande. Leaton cornered lucrative trade with area Native-American tribes, supplied far-ranging U.S. Army patrols, and was accused of encouraging Indian raids on settlements in Mexico by trading weapons and ammunition for stolen livestock. Of more than 40 original rooms around large patio, 24 are architecturally restored and roofed with cottonwood vigas (beams) and rajas (split cottonwood), sheathed with adobe. Restoration includes frontier furnishings of living and guest quarters, dining room, kitchen, storerooms and grainery. Interpretive exhibits trace area history and culture; audiovisual program on desert ecology. Open daily 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., closed Dec. 25. Admission fee. (Daily, annual, restricted annual, annual group entrance permits and Parkland Passports are not valid.) Three miles east of Presidio on F.M. 170. 432/229-3613. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/fort_leaton.
Visitor center at the fort introduces Big Bend Ranch State Park.
City: Presidio
Region: Big Bend Country
Popular Activities
With so many amazing things to do in Texas, there’s not enough room to feature them all. So check out some popular activities to see just how much fun your Texas vacation can be.
Silent Wings Museum
City: Lubbock
Region: Panhandle Plains
Fort Worth Zoo
City: Fort Worth
Region: Prairies and Lakes
Caldwell Zoo
City: Tyler
Region: Piney Woods
NASA / Space Center Houston
City: Houston
Region: Gulf Coast
River Walk
City: San Antonio
Region: South Texas Plains
Aquarena Center
City: San Marcos
Region: Hill Country
Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Center
City: Marfa
Region: Big Bend Country
