Welcome!
discover the Coolest Hiking Trails in Texas!
at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens
CDRI's Cactus & Succulent Sale
Opening Day, March 10
9:00 a.m.
Click here for a list of plants in the sale.
Opening Day, March 10
9:00 a.m.
Click here for a list of plants in the sale.
CDRI to Host Tree Pruning Workshops
CDRI will host two Tree and Shrub Pruning Workshops on February 7 and (repeat) on February 21, 2025, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jayme Trainer, Woodland Ecologist and Urban Forester from Texas A&M University Forest Service, will lead the program. It will include a 30-45-minute PowerPoint presentation, followed by a 45-minute live demonstration on a variety of different plant subjects in the CDRI Botanical Gardens.
Complimentary breakfast snacks and coffee will be served. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 participants for each session. To register, please email [email protected].
** SPECIAL NOTICE: The February 7 workshop is completely filled. There are still a few spaces remaining for the February 21 workshop. Please contact us ASAP to reserve your space.
CDRI will host two Tree and Shrub Pruning Workshops on February 7 and (repeat) on February 21, 2025, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Jayme Trainer, Woodland Ecologist and Urban Forester from Texas A&M University Forest Service, will lead the program. It will include a 30-45-minute PowerPoint presentation, followed by a 45-minute live demonstration on a variety of different plant subjects in the CDRI Botanical Gardens.
Complimentary breakfast snacks and coffee will be served. Admission is free, but space is limited to 15 participants for each session. To register, please email [email protected].
** SPECIAL NOTICE: The February 7 workshop is completely filled. There are still a few spaces remaining for the February 21 workshop. Please contact us ASAP to reserve your space.
Native Plant Seed Swap - February 27
CDRI will host an informal Seed Swap on Thursday, February 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will include a brief talk led by Faith Hille-Dishron, CDRI's Head Gardener, along with a free seed exchange, and beer, wine, and appetizers.
If you wish to contribute seeds, please contact [email protected] so we can coordinate the distribution process.
To ensure a successful event, please make sure that your seeds meet the following criteria:
1. The seeds must be native to the Trans Pecos Region of Far West Texas.
2. They should have been harvested this past fall.
3. They cannot be hybrids or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
We'll have small seed packet envelopes and labels available for everyone interested in participating.
This is our first year hosting a seed swap, and we're excited to share seeds collected from CDRI's Botanical Gardens. We also look forward to the exchange of seeds that you bring from your garden!
CDRI will host an informal Seed Swap on Thursday, February 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will include a brief talk led by Faith Hille-Dishron, CDRI's Head Gardener, along with a free seed exchange, and beer, wine, and appetizers.
If you wish to contribute seeds, please contact [email protected] so we can coordinate the distribution process.
To ensure a successful event, please make sure that your seeds meet the following criteria:
1. The seeds must be native to the Trans Pecos Region of Far West Texas.
2. They should have been harvested this past fall.
3. They cannot be hybrids or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
We'll have small seed packet envelopes and labels available for everyone interested in participating.
This is our first year hosting a seed swap, and we're excited to share seeds collected from CDRI's Botanical Gardens. We also look forward to the exchange of seeds that you bring from your garden!
Videos of the Conant Lectures are Now Available Here!
Videos from our most recent R. Conant Distinguished Guest Lecturers Program are posted on the website. The videos feature Gary Paul Nabhan who presented "Fragrances of the Chihuahuan Desert: The Desert Osmocosm Smells Like Rain," Chris Ritzi who presented "Beetles, Weevils, and Scales, Oh My! The Story of Biocontrol of Saltcedar Along the Rio Grande," and Jesse Kelsch who presented "The (almost) Never Ending Story: Landscape Evolution in the Big Bend."
Hiking at 5,100 ft. Elevation!
Discover spectacular hiking trails on your next trip to Far West Texas!
Modesta Canyon Trail 1.75 mi.
Clayton's Overlook Trail 1.50 mi.
Upper Loop Trail .50 mi.
Outside Loop Trail 2.25 mi.
Scenic Loop Trail .25 mi.
Modesta Canyon Trail 1.75 mi.
Clayton's Overlook Trail 1.50 mi.
Upper Loop Trail .50 mi.
Outside Loop Trail 2.25 mi.
Scenic Loop Trail .25 mi.

Be sure to stop in and visit the Cactus Museum Collection.
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9:00-5:00
While you're visiting,
you might want to get a CDRI Membership.
Your membership will allow you free admission to
the CDRI site for one year. It will also grant you
free access to 370 botanical gardens and
125 nature centers across the U.S.
through our participation in the reciprocal admission programs with the American Horticultural Society and
the Association of Nature Center Administrators!
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9:00-5:00
While you're visiting,
you might want to get a CDRI Membership.
Your membership will allow you free admission to
the CDRI site for one year. It will also grant you
free access to 370 botanical gardens and
125 nature centers across the U.S.
through our participation in the reciprocal admission programs with the American Horticultural Society and
the Association of Nature Center Administrators!
Have you seen the Happy Jack Mine?
Come Ready to Have Fun
As You Discover the Chihuahuan Desert!
As You Discover the Chihuahuan Desert!
We're located in the foothills of the Davis Mountains at an elevation of 5,100 ft. The following items are recommended to ensure a safe and fun adventure for you and your family.
* A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and close toed shoes with a patterned tread for traction;
* Plenty of water;
* Hiking poles or a walking stick.
* Plenty of water;
* Hiking poles or a walking stick.
Be sure to check in at the Powell Visitor Center upon your arrival. We'll supply you with maps and trail guide booklets for the hiking trails. We'll also provide a map for the Botanical Gardens and provide information about the many features within its 18-acre fenced garden including the Maxie Templeton Cactus Museum. After hiking, you can take care of all of your vacation shopping needs at the Gift Shop, visit the Mining Exhibit, and make a stop at the Bird Blind to see which of the grassland birds that might have flown in.
The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is to promote public awareness,
appreciation and concern for nature generally and the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region specifically, through education, the visitor experience, and through the support of research.
appreciation and concern for nature generally and the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region specifically, through education, the visitor experience, and through the support of research.
Take a Hike at CDRI Open: Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday. Located off of Hwy 118, 4 miles SE of Fort Davis 43869 St. Hwy. 118, PO Box 905 Fort Davis, TX 79734 432.364.2499 |