Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site
Looking for a place to hike that is filled with history?! Look no further than Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site in Jacksboro, Texas. Once upon a time, Fort Richardson was the northernmost post in a line of US Army forts stretching from the Rio Grande to the Red River. Established in 1867, Fort Richardson played a critical role in the US Army's campaign to remove the American Indians from the Southern Plains and force them onto reservations. After this goal was accomplished, the fort was closed in 1878. Today, Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site preserves the fort's remaining buildings and offers opportunities for camping and hiking among other activities.
The Prickly Pear Trail is a 1.3 mile lollipop loop. It is little more than a path that has been mowed through the tall prairie grass. True to its name, prickly pear cactus and mesquite trees line the sides of the trail. There is no shade on this trail, but on the day of my visit there were plenty of white-tailed deer to be seen.
Situated along the East bank of Lost Creek is the Rumbling Springs Trail. This trail is one-half mile in length if hiked end to end. This trail strikes a strong contrast to the Prickly Pear Trail. This trail's path is very rocky and is well shaded. A wall of limestone rock runs alongside of this trail. Coming from the rock is a karst spring. On the day of my hike, the spring was more of a trickle than a rumble.
A short walk from the Rumbling Springs Trail will take you to the Lost Creek Nature Trail. This trail sits on the West side of Lost Creek. It is one-half mile in length. This trail is more developed than the Rumbling Springs Trail. Sections of the trail are paved and there are stairs at locations where the elevation changes. This is a short but pleasant walk that offers views of Lost Creek.
The trails at Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site are nothing to write home about. However, the place is worth a visit if you appreciate history and want an added bonus of time outdoors. Ranger guided tours of the fort's original and reconstructed buildings are offered Tuesday through Friday at 10 AM and 2 PM. The buildings are open for self-guided tours on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM-4 PM.
Without a Texas State Parks Pass, day access to Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site is $4/person for persons 13 years or older. Campsites and cabins are available for an overnight stay. This Texas State Park may not be among the most scenic or famous in Texas, but it is a great place to escape for a day of history and hiking.
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