CAVERNS OF SONORA

A subterranean paradise filled with incredible and famous formations, which nature has been creating for millions of years. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and unusual caverns in the United States, and is home of the crystalline "Butterfly", a trademark since 1960. The Caverns of Sonora are located less than 30 miles east of Ozona, and can be reached by taking Exit 392 on Interstate 10. The caverns are open daily, including Sundays, and have picnic grounds, RV hook-ups, shower facilities, a gift shop with refreshments, and The Covered Wagon Dinner Theater where performances are scheduled each Friday and Saturday evenings from mid-June through mid-August.

DEL RIO

For the person into water sports, Lake Amistad (which means friendship in Spanish) boasts 100 square miles of surface water filled with millions of stripers and Florida bass, stocked by Fish and Game Department officials so that anglers are practically guaranteed a catch. Clear visibility and a great variety of depths make this a diver's paradise that some call the finest scuba lake in Texas. It is also wonderful for water-skiing, board-sailing or canoeing with hundreds of hidden coves and natural harbors.

Of course, Del Rio is situated on the Rio Grande River and has direct access to Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Del Rio has colorful historic homes, the Whitehead Memorial Museum-housed in a restored trading post and is the home of the burial site of the real Law West of the Pecos, Judge Roy Bean. It also has the magnificent Val Verde Winery, which is the oldest bonded vineyard in Texas.

BIG BEND

Just a few hours drive from Crockett County is one of the United States most incredible National Parks, the Big Bend National Park. This area is rich with history and activities, which include: Fort Davis National Historic Site, McDonald Observatory, Museum of the Big Bend, Sul Ross State University (in Alpine), and the Chihuahuan Desert Visitor Center. Some of the beautiful state parks in this area include: Balmorhea State Park, west of Fort Stockton; Fort Leaton, southeast of Presidio; Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge on Highway 118; the Warnock Center, east of Terlingua; and the Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area between Lajitas and Presidio.

FORT LANCASTER STATE HISTORIC PARK

The 82-acre park was originally donated to Crockett County in 1965 by the Meadows and Benckenstein families for preservation and public use of the site and was transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1968. Originally established as Camp Lancaster in 1855, the fort was strategically located on the military road between San Antonio and El Paso, near an important river crossing which an early surveyor called Indian Ford. Fort Lancaster was one of four posts placed to protect the route. At the height of development, it consisted of 25 permanent buildings and had an average complement of 72 men and four officers. During the Civil War, the fort was abandoned by the federal troops to be manned for a very brief period by the W. P. Lane Rangers (Texas Rangers). Company K of the 9th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) occupied the Fort in 1867 and 1868. During their occupancy, a one day battle was fought on the fort site. Eventually Fort Lancaster was abandoned and never garrisoned troops again.
 
Located approximately 33 miles west of Ozona, this park is open 7 days a week, 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.  Adults $2.00, students $1.00, 12 and under free.  Group tours (more than 20) 50¢ each.

Facilities include Visitor Center, Picnicking, trails, Nature Trail and Wildlife Observation and Photography.  For more information, call (432) 836-4391 or email: ft-lancaster@thc.state.tx.us

SEMINOLE CANYON STATE PARK & HISTORIC SITE

This historical park is located less than two hours from Ozona, just a short distance from the confluence of the Rio Grande with the Pecos River. The canyon was probably named for the Seminole-Negro Army scouts stationed at Fort Clark. In the canyon is Fate Bell Shelter, which contains some of North America's oldest pictographs believed to be painted as long as 4,000 years ago. Guided tours are provided to take visitors into the canyon to see these fine examples of rock art. Facilities include: Park Headquarters/Visitor Center, Campsites, Picnicking Areas, Hiking Trails, Wildlife Observation and Photography, and Bicycling. The park is open 7 days/week year round with guided tours into the Fate Bell Shelter at regular times Wednesday through Sunday. Points of interest nearby to the park include: Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center, in Langtry; Lake Amistad National Recreation Area; Whitehead Memorial Museum and The Old Perry Store, in Del Rio. For more information, call (432) 292-4464.