Hospital Canyon Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

To access the Hospital Canyon Trail, follow the walkways out to the hospital on the Fort Davis grounds. Go around to the backside of the hospital and walk over to a large rock (you'll know it when you see it) as this is where the trail starts. The dirt and gravel trail goes off to the left around the hillside. It is fairly level for the first third of a mile.

The trail is bordered by a variety of cacti common to the area, including prickly pears, so be careful where you and your kids walk. After a third of a mile, the trail climbs uphill through the volcanic rocks before leveling out on the ridge line. There is a bench or two along the way for you to rest if you need to.

When you arrive at the trail junction, you can either go to the left and hike out toward Davis Mountains State Park or follow the North Ridge Trail to the right toward a scenic overlook that provides a great view of Fort Davis National Historic Site. You can see how the grounds were laid out, and see where buildings are today, and the foundations of others. To get back to you the fort, you can either retrace your steps or take the Tall Grass Loop Trail back to the parade grounds.

This trail has several species of grasses, cacti, golden lead ball trees and also courtias.