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Monahans Sandhills
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Monahans Sandhills State Park
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Box 1738
Monahans TX 79756
432/943-2092
History: Monahans Sandhills State Park consists of 3840 acres of sand dunes,
some up to 70 feet high, in Ward and Winkler Counties, about a half-hour's drive
west of Odessa. A majority of the land was leased in 1956 by the state from a
private foundation (Sealy-Smith Foundation) until 2056 and was opened in 1957.
The Williams family of Monahans, Texas, also leased to the state approximately
900 acres for the park.
More than 400 years ago, Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to report
the vast hills of sand. Man was present in this area as far back as 12,000 years
ago. Later, various Indian tribes used the area for temporary campgrounds and a
meeting place, finding game, abundant fresh water beneath the sands, acorns, and
mesquite beans available for grinding into paste with their stone tools. The
area remained a favorable environment for Indians until the 1880s, when the
Texas and Pacific Railroad selected Monahans as a water stop between the Pecos
River and the town of Big Spring. In the late 1920s, oil production began in the
area, now commonly known as the Permian Basin, and today Monahans is a marketing
center for more than 800 square miles of oil and cattle country.
Activities: Activities include camping; hiking; picnicking; equestrian; bird and
wildlife watching from the interpretive center windows, as they come to the
watering stations; and sand surfing. Texas Camel Treks are held at the park. |
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