Day Trips
Dry Hollow Hideaway
Come out and relax in wide-open spaces at Dry Hollow Hideaway. Take it easy in a quiet place with a running creek, where you can rejuvenate your spirit. Dry Hollow Hideaway is a 700 acre ranch with a Hideaway cabin situated in the heart of West Texas right above Dry Hollow creek and two private lakes, and is an example of nature at its finest. In addition, the famous Concho River borders the North boundary of the property. You get a taste of the country, but are close to many other attractions as well. Visit our website at www.dryhollowhideaway.com
Hummer House
Enjoy the natural splendor of Hummer House located near the quaint town of Christoval, Texas. The purpose of its location, inside the ranch, is to showcase the concentration of birds and animals of many species in their natural prime wildlife habitat. Hummer House is an extraordinary private cottage in the natural setting of live oak and pecan timber for people to enjoy nature at its finest in a non-smoking, clean air home with no pets. The observation room is by appointment only. Admission is $5 per person. For more information call Dan Brown 325-255-2254.
Lazy A Hide-a-Way
Experience the beauty and a tranquil setting of the Lazy A. Relax and enjoy a starlit night by a campfire, view wildlife in their natural habitat or listen to flowing water fall while sitting around the swimming pool. For a more active lifestyle, tennis, basketball, horseshoe, washer pitching and croquet is at your disposal. Accommodations include: satellite TV, central air and heat, bar-b-que grill, washer/dryer, full kitchen, private airstrip. Open March thru September. For more information call (325)378-2125 or cell phone (325)-277-3870 or visit our website at www.lazyhideaway.com
Lamesa 6 Ranch
You'll find a great mix of the old and the new West as the flavor of the trail drive is served up from a real chuck wagon every third Saturday, between April and October. Five minutes outside the city limits, join real cowboys at a working ranch. The program begins with a wagon ride that takes you to the tree-shaded picnic area where a cowboy poet will entertain you during a chuck wagon dinner. For information call Jerry Swafford at 806-872-2727 or Mariene Woner 277-6553 or 651-2465.
Mayfield Ranch
The place to be for trophy exotic and Whitetail deer. The 3000 acre ranch is home to over 10 species of exotics including Addax antelope, Aoudad, Axis deer, Blackbuck antelope, Fallow deer, Gemsbok oryx, Scimi horned onys, Red Stag, Texas Dall sheep and American Bison. For more information call Kathy Alexander at 1-866-805-4587 or go to website www.mayfieldranch.com
Walnut Creek Ranch
Located between Sterling City and Water Valley, this unique 10,000-acre ranch is rich in family history, heritage and diversity in terrain and inhabitants. The guest ranch draws travelers, outdoor photographers, archaeology buffs, trail riders, birders, nature lovers and historians from all over the nation. Overnight accommodations are available. For more information call Craig & Kathi Johnson, 325-484-8188.
X-Bar Ranch - Nature Retreat
Visit a five-generation family ranch with 7,100 acres just one hour south of San Angelo. The X Bar Ranch provides a tranquil and scenic setting, ideal for a get-away adventure. Spend time on the nature trails hiking or mountain biking. Watch birds and other wildlife or livestock from shaded observation areas and along the trails or enjoy a ranch tour, stargazing, the swimming pool, amateur astronomy and outdoor photography. Nothing beats taking in the scenery and peaceful surroundings from a wooden rocking chair on the back deck. Offering a B&B get-away, and ideal facilities for family reunions, business retreats, parties, and other groups. Private accommodations, RV hook-ups and camping available; Inspected and Approved member of "The Great Stays of Texas" For more information call (toll free) 888-853-2688 or 325-853-2688 or visit the web site at http://www.XBarRanch.com
These nearby communities offer many pleasant surprises for visitors who choose a day trip to sample their brand of history and entertainment:
BALLINGER is 36 miles northeast of San Angelo. It offers a quaint district, many antique shops and beautifully restored historic homes. Ballinger is the perfect host city for the newest and hottest fishing spot in Texas, O.H. Ivie Reservoir located 20 miles away, offering 25,000 surface acres of water recreation. It also stages a number of annual events to intrigue the visitor. For information, call (325) 365-2333.
BRONTE is 32 miles north of San Angelo and is named for English novelist Charlotte Bronte. The remains of Fort Chadbourne are located northeast of the city. In downtown Bronte you will find the historic Texas Theater while shopping in unique stores and antique shops. Fort Chadbourne Day is held in June each year. For information, contact the Bronte Chamber of Commerce, Box 516, Bronte, TX 76933.
CHRISTOVAL is 20 miles south of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 277. It is a before-the-turn-of-the-century community with restored homes, bed and breakfasts, a number of diverse restaurants, arts and crafts, and antique dealers. A Catholic Hermitage is just south of the community and is open to visitors and worshippers alike. The South Concho River headwaters are just a few miles southeast of town and the river runs through Christoval. For information, contact the Christoval Community Chamber of Commerce at (325) 896-2293, (325) 896-2267 or (325) 896-2276. Or write to the chamber at P.O. Box 1, Christoval, TX 76935.
COLEMAN is 75 miles northeast of San Angelo in what is known as "the Land of the Lakes." Major lakes around Coleman offer fun and recreation: Hords Creek Lake, Lake Coleman, Lake Scarbrough, Memory Lake, Lake Novice, Lake San Tana and the newest, Lake O.H. Ivie. Fort Colorado is in Coleman's city park, featuring replicas of old pioneer life, a blacksmith shop and a larger-than-life horse statue. For information, call (325) 625-2163.
EDEN is 45 miles east of San Angelo and is at the southern entrance to Lake O.H. Ivie. Eden holds an Fall Fest on the 4th Saturday in September. Eden is the home of a beautiful and challenging 9-hole golf course "Concho Springs". Opening soon will be the Don Freeman Memorial Museum. The museum will display varied exhibits of Concho County history. For information, call (325) 869-EDEN or visit our website edentexas.com.
ELDORADO is 43 miles south of San Angelo and is where the only working woolen mill in the Southwest can be found, at Eldorado Woolen Inc. After touring the mill, walk along the Historic Walking Tour that includes the Old Bank Building. Eldorado also offers a live theater featuring the regionally famous "Way Off Broadway Players", and a guest ranch, X-Bar Ranch with reservations being made by calling 888-853-2688. For information, call (325) 853-3183.
EOLA is at the junction of Farm Roads 381 and 765, on Dry Hollow some 13 miles south west of Paint Rock in northwestern Concho County. The community has had a post office since 1901, when it was know as Jordon. In 1902 the name was changed to Eola, reportedly after a small local creek named for Aeolus, Greek God of the winds. Eola website
FORT McKAVETT is 75 miles south of San Angelo and is home to historic Fort McKavett. The fort offers 15 roofed and restored structures, more than a dozen stabilized ruins and several post military occupation structures. Several freshwater springs and a lime kiln are linked by a quarter-mile trail. For information, call (325) 396-2358.
MENARD is about 66 miles southeast of San Angelo, and has a number of attractions. The Historic Ditch Walk in the downtown area is a self-guided tour with interpretive displays of historical attractions along the irrigation canal. Presidio de San Luis de Las Amarilloas was built in the 1750s and represents the most northern boundary of the Spanish empire in Texas. It is considered by historians to be as significant as the Alamo. Jim Bowie Days and the Song of Silver Outdoor Musical are held the third weekend in June and both are representative of Menard's colorful history. For information, call (325) 396-2365.
MILES is 18 miles northeast of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 67 and is home of the annual Cotton Festival held the second Saturday in September. A prominent meeting place in Miles is the Opera House built in 1904. It has served several purposes, first for opera and plays and later as a hotel that closed in 1950. It is now a meeting place for all citizens and serves as the Senior Citizens Center.
OZONA is 100 miles southwest from San Angelo and is the only city in Crockett County. Crockett County was named after the Alamo hero David Crockett. A monument in his honor proudly stands in the beautiful Town Square touting his famous words, "Be sure you are right then go ahead". The Crockett County Museum features an award winning Indian exhibit. A treat to any history buff, see tools of the working cowboy, a blacksmith shop, bank room, general store, and rifle, gun and saber exhibit, and the Mexican Heritage Room. Visit the Civil War Veterans Cemetery and take a walk through time as you view the historical markers that document the heritage of the town. Hang Your Hat In History in Ozona! For information contact 325-392-3737.
PAINT ROCK is approximately 22 miles east of San Angelo and is home to the Painted Rocks. After a visit to the Painted Rocks pictographs, visit Ingrid's Custom Hand Woven Inc. for a unique exhibition of hand weaving of wool and mohair. Also, Hartgroves offers wool and mohair rugs, saddle pads, apparel, jewelry and gifts.
ROBERT LEE is 31 miles north of San Angelo at the edge of the Edwards Plateau. Wildflowers, birds and turkey abound in this area. Lake Spence is just outside of Robert Lee for outdoor sports including boating, fishing, hiking and bird watching. The Old Jail (1907) offers tours by calling 325-453-2461. December 1st through the 31st enjoy Christmas at Bryan's Barn with its millions of lights. The Robert Lee Street Affair is held each year in October. Historic drives through Hayrick Cemetery, Silver, Edith and Sanco offer a look at the past. For information, call (325) 453-2831.
SONORA is 65 miles south of San Angelo on Interstate 10. Here a traveler can journey through the earth at the famous Caverns of Sonora, a natural cave that is one of the most beautiful active caves in the world, with more that 90% of the formations in the cave still growing and is known as a Natural/National Landmark. Visit Eaton Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, a special piece of remarkable landscape with diverse plant and wildlife preserved amidst 37 acres. Located in a major migratory flyway, Eaton Hill offers excellent birding opportunities, hiking, wildflowers, butterflies, wildlife and geocaching. Visitors to downtown Sonora can see a number of historic sites where they can visit several museums, restored courthouse, restored railroad depot and award-wining Bank Vault Park. The town boasts a 9-Hole Golf Course recognized as one of the best in Texas. For information, call (325 387-2880.) www.sonoratx-chamber.com
STERLING CITY, 43 miles northwest from San Angelo, is known as the City of Windmills, because the very first windmill was erected here in 1886. Many early windmills still stand and can be seen above the treetops. Sterling City also boasts of Spanish explorers, and buffalo hunting by both Indians and Anglo-Americans in the early days. Hunters throughout the nation still experience many different types of hunting in the area. For information, call (325) 378-2811
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