West Texas can be rugged, wild and as wonderful of a place in which to visit or live as any other region statewide. This is the part of Texas that United Country Real Estate | Hudson Properties calls home, and we absolutely love it.
Technically, our office in Sonora (Sutton County) is located right where Central Texas’ Hill Country converges with West Texas. It’s also in a convenient travel location, given the city is at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and Highway 277. Of course, we also serve clients in neighboring counties such as Crockett (especially in Ozona), Schleicher, Kimble, Tom Green, Edwards and Val Verde.
There’s plenty of history and local culture to explore in the region, and the cost of living is generally moderate in areas both suburban and rural. One of the biggest selling points is the opportunity for year-round outdoor recreation. You’ll find people boating and fishing, hiking and hunting, horseback riding and more against the backdrop of rolling rivers, desert canyons and timbered acreage.
Let’s take a closer look at some of our favorite West Texas cities and towns, and what you can expect in each.
Sonora: With an engaging mix of both West Texas and the Hill Country, Sonora has a lot in store for visitors and residents alike. The family-friendly city has a small-town feel while still offering all the modern amenities one could need. Don’t miss the Caverns of Sonora for guided tours and camping, or the land and exhibits of the Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve. Hunters interested in exotic species will want to check out Sonora’s offerings, while lovers of local history can head to the Sonora Old Ice House Ranch Museum.
Ozona: The county seat of Crockett County (which itself was named after Davy Crockett of Alamo fame), Ozona is sometimes called "The Biggest Little Town in the World.” The Crockett County Museum offers a glimpse into the past, as does the Fort Lancaster State Historic Site in nearby Sheffield. Popular annual events include Freedom Fest in July, the Crockett County Fall Festival in October and the annual Deerfest each December. For recreation, consider the Escondido Draw Recreational Area, a motorized offroad park for trail riding; or the 5,800-acre Twistflower Ranch Nature Retreat.
Eldorado: Forty-five miles south of San Angelo, you’ll find Eldorado, officially Schleicher County’s only city (and modest at that, with around 1,500 residents). Still, it provides a lot of history. Start with the West Texas Woolen Mills, now an abandoned operation but as a museum today, it offers an interesting look at the town’s history during World War II. The Schleicher County Rodeo Arena in Eldorado has some fun events in July, while the Eldorado Game Association’s Big Buck Contest offers hunters a chance at bragging rights each year. Here’s a list of Eldorado’s local businesses if you’re in town.
Rocksprings: Located on the Edwards Plateau, Rocksprings is the most populated community in Edwards County. It holds fun annual events such as the Hunters BBQ in November with food, games and prizes; and Christmas on the Square in December. However, the biggest draw is adventures in the great outdoors. Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area is ideal for hiking, birding and marveling at millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. Less than 30 minutes from Rocksprings in Barksdale, you can launch your kayak on the Nueces River. Finally, drive an hour south to Brackettville (Kinney County) for Kickapoo Cavern State Park, where you can bike trails, explore caves and set up camp.
Del Rio: Another city with excellent recreation spots, Del Rio has the unique San Felipe Springs to keep residents cool in the summer, as well as the golf course of the same name. The Amistad National Recreation Area features public hunting opportunities, and fishing and boating on Lake Amistad. Devil's River State Natural Area is great for paddling crystal-clear waters. History buffs can head to the Whitehead Memorial Museum, while fans of live shows can check out The Upstagers award-winning theatre group. At day’s end, relax at the Val Verde Winery, the oldest winery in Texas.
Junction: Surrounded by rivers, woodlands and hills, Junction always seems to have something going on year-round. There’s the Summer Classic Rodeo events at the Hill Country Fairgrounds; the Annual Kow Kick arts and crafts fair just before Labor Day; and Cowboys & Cajuns in June. On the weekend, check out the Junction Area Farmers Market or play a round at the Junction Golf Course. For water recreation, canoe, tube or kayak the Llano River branches. Hunting in Junction is also quite popular, as evidenced by events such as the Predator Calling Contest. And anytime, you can visit Kimble County’s hunting pages for details on pursuing deer, turkey, exotics, hogs and more.
San Angelo: Home to three lakes, the Concho River and plenty of artistic and cultural offerings, San Angelo tends to show up on a lot of “best of” lists from various publications. The city holds family-friendly community events every Saturday at various locations. And adults seeking live music and local nightlife have a wide range of options. There are also many restaurants considered “uniquely San Angelo,” and artistic attractions that rival anything else statewide. San Angelo has plenty of local parks for recreation, as well as the must-see San Angelo State Park where you can explore trails by foot, bike or horse, and fish the reservoir. For a deep dive into the area’s history at a place that also hold regular events, visit the Fort Concho National Historic Landmark.
Sources:
SonoraTexas.org
CavernsOfSonora.com
Ozona.com
Co.Crockett.Tx.us
EldoradoTexas.us
EdwardsCountyChamber.org
ValVerdeCounty.Texas.gov
JunctionTexas.com
KimbleCountyChamber.com
DowntownSanAngelo.com
DiscoverSanAngelo.com
Tpwd.Texas.gov
Thc.Texas.gov
Nps.gov