Different landscapes meet in Howard County: the Western Rolling Plains to the north and east, the Edwards Plateau to the south, and the Southern High Plains to the west, also called the Llano Estacado or Staked Plains. Big Spring State Park is part of this meeting of landscapes, too. The city of Big Spring itself lies in a rocky canyon between two high spurs of the Caprock Escarpment. Nature and local history give a trip to Howard a variety of points of interest.

Landscapes and Trails at Big Spring State Park

Big Spring State Park covers 382 acres of dry plains and features a 200-foot-high escarpment. A nature trail about two-thirds of a mile long passes cacti and other desert plants. For a longer outing, visitors can follow the paved, three-mile loop road, which is intended for walkers, joggers and cyclists. The different lengths make it easy to consider the shorter nature trail and the longer loop as separate options.

The park’s history is also part of the visitor experience: the Civilian Conservation Corps built it in 1934–1935. The dry plains, escarpment and trails can thus be connected with a specific chapter in Big Spring’s history.

Parks and Water in Big Spring

Comanche Trail Park spans 400 acres. It includes hiking, biking and nature trails, as well as two 18-hole disc golf courses. Its limestone amphitheater seats 6,900 spectators. Visitors can fish and picnic at Comanche Trail Lake. The park therefore offers both trails and outdoor activities, as well as a place by the water.

Moss Creek Lake offers about 400 acres for recreation. Residents and visitors can fish, go boating, swim and picnic there. These options differ from those at Comanche Trail Lake, where fishing and picnicking are listed, while boating and swimming are also available at Moss Creek Lake. This makes it easier to choose based on the activities that matter to your trip.

Museums, Architecture and Local History

The Heritage Museum of Big Spring collects, exhibits and preserves artifacts relating to the history of Big Spring and Howard County. The museum has 13,000 square feet for exhibits, storage, a research area and a loading dock. The Imagination Station features interactive activities, touchscreen kiosks with local history games, and a sensory corner. The Caylor Gallery displays one of the largest collections of paintings by H. W. Caylor.

One exhibit recounts that Josh Cosden built a refinery with a capacity of 10,000 barrels in Howard County in 1928. The Texas-&-Pacific Railroad exhibit area notes that the first train arrived in Big Spring on May 28, 1881. These topics offer two distinct perspectives on the region’s history: industry and railroads. The Big Spring Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in local community planning and commercial and architectural development.

Potton House is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a lasting tribute to Big Spring’s architecture around the turn of the 20th century. The Hangar 25 Air Museum is housed in a fully restored World War II-era hangar. It preserves the history of the Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School and Webb Air Force Base. Retired veterans and public service employees often share memories there of the area’s history as an aviation center.

Historic Spring served as a campsite for early expeditions through West Texas. The Comanche met there to set out on the trail known as the Great Comanche War Trail. As part of its restoration, a 1,600-square-foot interpretation and education center was added. If you are also interested in the origins of local cultural institutions, the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra was founded in Big Spring in 1981.

Hotel Settles opened on October 1, 1930, as a 15-story, 150-room concrete building; the original building also included a restaurant and a pharmacy. Its Grand Ballroom has been restored to its 1930s splendor. The hotel’s history adds to the city’s architectural appeal without replacing parks and museums as other interests for your trip.

Festivals and Seasonal Planning

The Howard County Fair offers rides, live entertainment, food and activities for the whole family. The Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo runs for three days and features bronc and bull riding, trick riding and mutton bustin’. Dates and offerings may change; check event dates and the program before your trip.

Big Spring’s Comanche Trail Festival of Lights takes place annually from the first Sunday in December through Christmas Day. Nearly 700,000 festive lights are on display free of charge. Exact dates and the number of lights may vary from year to year. The festival offers a seasonal planning reference, while the museums and landscapes can be explored independently of it.

The different points of interest can help guide your hotel search in Howard, whether you’re drawn to landscapes and trails, water activities, museums or events. Plan your search around the themes you want your trip to focus on, and check current dates if you intend to attend a festival.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Big Spring, Hardeman, Crockett, Matagorda County, Erath, Burnet County, Robertson County, Terry County.

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