The Under-The-Radar Scenic Drive In Texas That Showcases Towering Mountains
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 10, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
When it comes to scenic drives in Texas, there are few more breathtaking (in my opinion, at least) than Skyline Drive Auto Trail in Davis Mountains State Park. This short ride meanders through the wide open desert landscape, showcasing towering mountain peaks that look as if they’re piercing the heavens.
If towering mountains and vast deserts are your love language, consider taking a ride down the Skyline Drive Auto Trail. The paved road is only about five miles long (round-trip), so it's definitely on the shorter side, but the views are absolutely spectacular.
Personally, I recommend embarking on the trail in either the early morning or evening. If you've ever seen a desert sunrise or sunset, then you can understand where I'm coming from. If not, just take my word for it - I promise you'll be at a loss for words.
The meandering route boasts a surprising amount of scenery for how short it is. From reconstructed buildings at Fort Davis to ancient lava flow that has hardened into a box canyon, there are so many striking features to observe.
There are several scenic overlooks where you can pull off and admire the views, and since the trail is so short, you can spend as long as you'd like at each of the stops.
Perhaps you'll even bring a little picnic lunch or some snacks to enjoy while you take in the surroundings. There are quite a few benches, so if I were you, I would get out and eat in the fresh air. There's no feeling like it!
Visit AllTrails for more information about this scenic drive. Also, consider signing up for AllTrails+ to gain access to perks such as offline map access and 3D maps.
Have you ever taken this scenic drive? What are your favorite scenic drives in Texas? Tell us in the comments! Check out our previous article to learn more about Davis Mountains State Park. It’s worth sticking around to explore if you have the time!
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