Howdy to all you cool cats! I’ve got an Out”sanding” park to share with y’all (are you even reading The Botanical Texan if I don’t throw in a corny joke?)! Ever since seeing pictures of Monahans Sandhills State Park on The D. Diaries Instagram, I desperately wanted to go. Finally, back in September, I made the long trek out to West Texas. With my blog’s focus being on sharing all things botanical and nature infused, I am excited to dive into Monahahs Sandhills to tell y’all why this State Park is worth visiting (hint: sand sledding is involved!)
Location & Visiting
When I said I made the long trek to arrive at this otherworldly destination, I was not exaggerating! This hidden gem is tucked away in West Texas, past the limits of civilizations. It was roughly a 6 hour drive from Denton, 45 mins from Midland, and 30 mins from Odessa. Apple maps accepted “Monahans Sandhills State Park” as a destination, but if you need the exact address, Park Rd. 41 Monahans, TX 79756 should do the trick.
The park is open daily from 7am to 10pm for day guests. If you want to camp in the park, you have 26 different campsites to choose from, each with a shade shelter – an important thing to note considering the location is a desert! Entrance fees for adults are only $4 dollars, and free for children under 12.
Now that we have the technical information out of the way, when is the best time to visit? Personally, I suggest arriving in the morning as the sun rises. This ensures the sand is comfortable to walk on, and you can stay longer. The park ranger actually said we were smart for coming earlier, as most people come later in the day, when the sun has already been up for a bit, and don’t end up staying long. Which I can’t blame them. Temperatures can easily reach over 100 degrees, and the sand gets scorching! Since we had arrived early, we stayed till about noon before feeling the effects of the sun.
On that same note, I would recommend coming in Fall or Spring when the temperatures will be most comfortable!
History
Surprisingly enough, people have used this beautifully, barren dune field for 12,000 years! You know the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover”? Well, that certainly applies here! Beneath the dunes is an impermeable layer of soil that traps water, creating a perched water table. Due to this groundwater availability, Native Americans, most notably the Apache & Comanche, found this area to be good temporary campgrounds and a rendezvous location. Wildlife was drawn to the water, the plants growing were useful resources, and the dunes made great prospect refuge cover from enemies, all of which are ingredients for a habitable location. Later, the Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans to explore the Texas Pecos Trail region around the early 1500s!
Modern development in the area sprang to life in the 1880s, when the Texas & Pacific Railroad decided on Monahans as the location for a water stop for their steam engine locomotives. In 1957, the 3,840 acres that now make up the Monahans Sandhills State Park was officially opened.
I think it’s pretty ironic that an area that I would initially think would be deprived of an adequate water supply is actually known for its water supply!
Flora & Fauna
Welcome to Monahans Sandhills State Park, home of the world’s largest oak forests! I can see your skeptical eyebrow raise, but I promise you this is not one of my silly jokes! The Shin Oak (Quercus harvardii) forest occupies 40,000 acres in Ward County. These tiny, but mighty, trees only reach 2-3 feet tall and help stabilize the dunes through a shallow root system.
Apart from this surprisingly large forest, the state park offers a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers that bloom through spring and summer. Sandhill sunflowers, pink penstemons, bright white heliotropes, yuccas, and many more! Additionally, desert willows (one of my favorite ornamental trees) and honey mesquites can also be found in the area! I bet you weren’t expecting this much plant life in an area that looks like it has never seen rain.
Of course, I can’t forget about the animals! While I was visiting Monahans, looking at the different tracks in the sand was incredibly nifty! Some critters you may find wandering around the state park include the Jerusalem crickets, javelina, mule deer, ground squirrels, mule deer, kangaroo rats, badgers, and the dune sagebrush lizard.
Things to do
Alright, so what all can you do inside the park you ask? Well, a lot!
- Hiking: While there are no designated trails throughout the park, you can wander around the sandhills and explore this picturesque landscape on your own terms. I would advise to be diligent in being aware of your surroundings. This will help prevent you from getting lost.
- Dune Sledding: Who said you need snow for sledding? You can rent disk from the headquarters. Be sure to purchase the dune wax too, this will help you be faster than the Mach 5 as you go down the dunes!
- Horse back riding: At the state park, there is 800 acres dedicated to equestrian use. Again, there are no designated trails, so keep this in mind when taking your horse out.
- Enjoying the Scenery: This is probably one of the best things to do. It is incredibly peaceful at the park. To quote Taylor Swift, “I’ve never heard silence so loud”. Living in the metroplex, the sound of cars is just white noise at this point, so the juxtaposition was tranquil. Additionally, I recommend arriving at sunrise. Watching the sun peek up over the horizon will make you feel an inner peace undescribable.
- Odessa Metero Crater: Ok, so this one isn’t actually in the state park, but just a short drive from the park. Talk about other worldly!
I hope this post inspires you to explore Monahans State Park, and support the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in general! It’s always amazing to escape the city and be one with the beautiful, natural world God gave us! Of course, even if you’re in the city, you can escape to the wilds of Texas, but sometimes its good to just go explore! Let me know what your favorite state park is in Texas or even in your home state!
