Fort Leaton State Historic Site is located near Presidio, Texas and functions as the western entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park. It is on FM 170, which is arguably one of the most scenic roads in Texas. The fort was never a military fort, but was a privately owned trading post that was fortified.
The historic site is only available for day use, but the state park has camping and trails.
Location
FM 170, Presidio, Texas 79845
Cost
The entrance fee is $5 for people ages 13 and up. Free entrance for people 12 and younger. Free entrance with a state park pass.
Entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park
This location functions as the entrance and visitor center for Big Bend Ranch State Park.
If you are coming to the park from Marfa, Texas or Presidio, Texas this is the entrance you will use. Many activities in the park require permits, and this is where you can pick them up and register your information.
Rangers are available to talk to as well.
What to do at Fort Leaton
The historic site is open for day use activities.
You can check in with park rangers to start your trip into Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Do a self-guided or guided tour of the historic site.
Look at the exhibits on the history of the area.
Have a picnic and go on a nature trail.
What is is at Fort Leaton State Historic Site
The historic site has an adobe fort with many rooms. This preserved site is one of the largest adobe buildings in Texas. There fort had a trading area. There were rooms for the family and servants as well as a blacksmith, pantry, kitchen, and granary. The site also has a cemetery.
The site also has exhibits about the local history.
What to do near Fort Leaton
Presidio, Texas
Presidio, Texas is a small town with a population of about 4,000 people. The town has gas, restaurants and some hotels.
FM 170 River Road
FM 170, also known as River Road runs along the Rio Grande. It is one of the most scenic drives in Texas. The road cuts through Big Bend Ranch State Park and leads to Terlingua, Texas.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
The historic site functions as the visitor center and entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park. The park has camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and stargazing. There is river access and local outfitters offer rentals and rafting trips.
History of Fort Leaton
The area around the fort is known as La Junta de los Rios. It is where the Rio Grande and Rio Conchos came together, creating an area with access to valuable water and fertile land. People have lived in the area for thousands of years.
The fort is located along the Chihuahua Trail, which ran in between what is now San Antonio, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. It was a dangerous route that ran through the hostile Chihuahua Desert.
Ben Leaton and Juana Pedrasa moved to the area in 1848, and built a trading post which they fortified. It flourished by providing a safe place for travelers along the Chihuahua Trail to rest and procure supplies. The fort was successful for a few years, but after Leaton’s death in 1851 the fort struggled to continue for many years. It was eventually sold under foreclosure.