10 Best Things To Do In Fort Stockton: Explore Natural & Human History

things to do in fort stockton texas
Louise
Louise 
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History, nature and cross-country walking are what you can expect from Fort Stockton, Texas. Strategically located in southern part of the state, Fort Stockton allows visitors to experience the different faces of America, through its museums, historic districts and Big Bend Nature Park. Fort Stockton is just across the river from Mexico, and immediately you will be able to feel its culture and lifestyle. Have a natural and culturally rich journey when you visit these places, in Fort Stockton.

1. Relax and unwind at Zero Stone Park and Gazebo

Zero Stone Park Gazebo (Fort Stockton, Texas)
Source: Photo by Flickr user courthouselover

Nestled in the heart of Pecos County, Zero Stone Park offers green spaces for outdoor relaxation at any time of the day. This historical landmark also features memorials as well as a wheelchair-accessible gazebo. With long wooden benches and a generous space, the gazebo has been used for live band performances and public gatherings, not to mention romantic weddings!

Visitors can catch the summer concert series and witness significant holiday celebrations in the park. They can also check out the famous Zero Stone, the primary point of reference for surrounding lots and borders.

Zero Stone Park and Gazebo

Address: 400 S Nelson St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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2. Savor delicious wines at The Grey Mule Saloon

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Live Music. Great Food. Exotic Wines. At least one of those options had to have spoken to your soul. We're all about...

Posted by Grey Mule Wine Saloon on Friday, May 13, 2022

What once was the hangout place of cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and the US Army around 1890, is now a popular tourist attraction for wine enthusiasts. The Grey Mule Saloon offers wine tastings with matching cheeses, fruits, and crackers. The liquors themselves are made at a local winery owned by Mesa Vineyards. When not having a glass or two, visitors can also check out some olive oil and balsamic vinegar to purchase as souvenirs for loved ones back home.

With delicious foods at affordable prices, it’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing time with friends and families.

Grey Mule Saloon

Address: 101 E Callaghan St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, United States

Website: Grey Mule Saloon

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 3:30pm - 10pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

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3. Splash and play at Fort Stockton Water Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located on S Everts St, Fort Stockton Water Park offers a fun way to beat the warm Texas weather. Kids and kids at heart can cool off around the splash pads and ship-themed playground. Open from 2 pm to 9 pm on weekdays, this area is open to the public. This tourist attraction also welcomes visitors from 9 am on weekends so they can enjoy more hours of splashing and playing.

Some points of interest near the park are James Rooney Memorial Park and Comanche Land RV Park.

Fort Stockton Water Park

Address: 540 S Everts St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, USA

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 9pm

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4. The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum

Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pi3.124 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum is a local history and pioneer museum, featuring displays and exhibits that depict the heritage and development of Fort Stockton and surrounding areas. There is an extensive photograph collection and archaeological artifacts.

You will find re-created hotel rooms and a kitchen, with furnishings that have some historical roots. Other exhibits include those on archaeology, geology, religion, ranching, Hispanic heritage, pioneers, and early businesses. An early 1900’s buggy is placed in the courtyard, and there is also a native Texan garden.

The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum

Address: 301 S Main St Fort Stockton, TX 79735

Website: The Annie Riggs Memorial Museum

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5. Historic Fort Stockton

Fort Stockton parade ground and barracks as seen from the guard house
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pi3.124 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Managed by the Fort Stockton Historical Society, Historic Fort Stockton was an important Indian Wars Fort (1867-1886) and it is strategically placed at the life-saving waters of the Comanche Springs. The fort consisted of about 35 buildings, including three officers’ quarters and the original guard house, which still remain today, as well as two barracks and two kitchens that were rebuilt from original blueprints and which now house the fort museum and the visitor center.

Visit this historic site and get the feeling of traveling back in time.

Historic Fort Stockton

Address: 300 E 3rd St , Fort Stockton, TX 79735

Website: Historic Fort Stockton

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6. Giant Road Runner & Visitor Center

Paisano Pete
Source: Photo by user Matthew Rutledge used under CC BY 2.0

Built in 1979, Paisano Pete was for many years the world’s largest roadrunner. At 22 feet (6.7 meters) long and 11 feet (3.35 meters) tall, it is big enough, and an iconic attraction. When you visit Haltom City, remember to take a picture with this big roadrunner - you may be able to catch the rare sight of him in his seasonal costumes. You can also drop in to the visitor center, just across the street.

Giant Road Runner & Visitor Center

Address: Main Street, Intersection with E Dickinson Blvd, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, USA

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7. Historic Old Pecos County Jail

Fort Stockton Jail Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pi3.124 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

On the south side of the courthouse square, in Fort Stockton, there stands one of the oldest and most imposing structures in West Texas – the Old Pecos County Jail was built in 1883 and enlarged in 1913. The structure houses the museum of local sheriffs, an 1883 holding cell and a mid-20th-century cell block. The prison was functioning until the year 2000 and you can see the second floor, where the prisoners were kept and the ground floor, which housed various sheriffs, deputies, and jailers.

Historic Old Pecos County Jail

Address: 101 W Gallagher St, Fort Stockton, TX 79735-7113, USA

Website: Historic Old Pecos County Jail

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8. Have coffee and enjoy music at the Garage

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Gingerbread lattes! Only available for a limited time :D

Posted by The Garage Coffee, Music & More on Friday, November 22, 2019

Tired after walking in the historic district and visiting the museums? It is time for coffee, music and art. The Garage is ready for your next visit and offers a unique experience of the owner’s talents and interests. It is a safe, friendly, non-alcohol environment for everyone to enjoy live music, trivia nights, art shows and non-alcoholic drinks.

The Garage

Address: 1110 North Main Street, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, USA

Website: The Garage

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9. Bird watching at Big Bend National Park

Cerro Castellan
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jonathan Cutrer used under CC BY 2.0

From Fort Stockton, drive about an hour and a half (99.2 miles/159 km), via US-385 N and you will reach Big Bend National Park. Big Bend National Park is located in southern Texas and borders Mexico. It is also the largest protected area of Chihuahuan desert topography and ecology in the United States.

You will be amazed by the varieties of wildlife here - the park has more than 1,200 species of plants, over 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals. Birdwatching is one of the more popular activities in Big Bend National Park. The national park covers 801,163 acres (324,219 hectares) and hosts a variety of Cretaceous and Cenozoic fossils. Artifacts found in the park are estimated to be 9,000 years old.

Big Bend National Park

Mailing Address: PO Box 129 Big Bend National Park, TX, USA

Website: Big Bend National Park

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10. Visit Boquillas, Mexico

Gfp-mexico-boquillas-del-carmen-overlooking-the-rio-grande
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Yinan Chen used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Mexico is just a river away from Big Bend National Park. After crossing the river, you may ride on a burro, horse, or in a vehicle, or just walk to the nearby village. Take a walk through the quaint village and enjoy some authentic and delicious Mexican food from one of the few restaurants, in the area.

Local guides are available to guide you but do make sure you have a valid passport and other necessary documents when entering Mexico. Always go in groups and avoid crossing at night. Be safe and let your border crossing be the most pleasant.

Boquillas, Mexico

Website: Visiting Boquillas

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Nature and history meet in Fort Stockton, Texas

Texas’s rich natural and human history are well recorded and presented here, in Fort Stockton. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of its historic sites and museums and you will share the lives of Americans in Texas, in no time. You can you can take a quick trip to step onto the soil of Mexico.

Have a culturally rich journey when you visit these places in Fort Stockton, Texas, which might make you feel that you have indeed traveled back in time.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Louise is a creative writer and a children’s book author. She loves travelling with purpose, be it for work, missions, teaching, for a humanitarian cause, or for pure fun. She has been traveling to...Read more

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