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Fort Leaton State Historic Site in Presidio
Photographer: J. Griffis Smith

Fort Leaton State Historic Site

This massive adobe fortress was built by frontiersman Ben Leaton in 1848 after the Mexican War. It was built at a strategic site on the Chihuahua-San Antonio Trail. Leaton cornered lucrative trade with area tribes, supplied far-ranging U.S. Army patrols, and was accused of encouraging Native American raids on settlements in Mexico by trading weapons and ammunition for stolen livestock. Of more than 40 original rooms, 24 are architecturally restored and roofed with cottonwood vigas (beams) and rajas (split cottonwood), sheathed with adobe. Includes frontier furnishings of living and guest quarters, dining room, kitchen, storerooms and grainery. Interpretive exhibits trace area history and culture; audiovisual program features desert ecology. Open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily. Closed Dec. 25. Admission charge. (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.

The visitor center at the fort introduces Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Find more near Presidio (or all of the Big Bend Country region)

Lodging

Whether you like quaint cabins, five-star hotels or even rustic dude-ranch digs, there’s always a place to sleep in style.

See Lodging in this City »


Campgrounds

Texas might be the Lone Star State, but you'll see thousands of stars under that big, open sky. Enjoy everything from white-water rapids to mountain climbing at our public and private campgrounds. Check it out!

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Attractions

Adventure sports, cultural exploration, live music... the list goes on and on. Here, there’s always an attraction to fit your vacation style.

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More Information

Presidio, Texas
79845
Phone: 432/229-3613

Visit website »

Hours

Open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily. Closed Dec. 25.

Featured Attraction

A landmark structure in the 363-acre state park commemorates Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the first Spanish mission in East Texas, built in 1690 to stem tide of French settlement. It was not successful and closed in 1693. Re-established in 1716, the mission was never prosperous, and once the French threat was gone, the mission moved to San Antonio in 1731.

Also in the park is Rice family log home-stagecoach inn, one of many originally along El Camino Real de los Tejas (the Royal Highway). Started as a one-room building in 1828, hostile Native Americans forced abandonment for two years, but Joseph Redmond Rice Sr. returned and built this substantial way station. Park activities include camping, picnicking, hiking and nature study. Admission and camping fees. Park is just southwest of Weches off Texas 21 (about 21 miles northeast of Crockett). 936/687-2394, 800/792-1112. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mission_tejas.

City: Weches
Region: Piney Woods

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Popular Attractions

With so many amazing things to do in Texas, there’s not enough room to feature them all. So check out some popular attractions to see just how much fun your Texas vacation can be.

Battle Of Adobe Walls
City: Stinnett
Region: Panhandle Plains

Lakes near Dallas
City: Dallas
Region: Prairies and Lakes

Lake Conroe Park
City: Conroe
Region: Piney Woods

Galveston Island Beach
City: Galveston
Region: Gulf Coast

Lakes near San Antonio
City: San Antonio
Region: South Texas Plains

Devil’s Backbone
City: Wimberley
Region: Hill Country

Balmorhea State Park
City: Balmorhea
Region: Big Bend Country

See all attractions


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