Land & Ranch · Texas · Far West Texas
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Jeff Davis County TX Real Estate, Land & Ranches for Sale
About Jeff Davis County
Jeff Davis County sits high in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas, a 2,265-square-mile sweep of sky-island terrain where grassland valleys meet forested peaks and the night sky is among the darkest in the continental United States. If you want to buy land in Jeff Davis County TX or acquire a working ranch with elevation, water, and wildlife, this is one of the most compelling landscapes in the state. The county seat, Fort Davis, stands at roughly 5,050 feet, making it the highest town in Texas, and the Legacy Broker Group office in Alpine serves every corner of the county.
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$175,000
1 Bed 1 Bath 604 SqFt
210 Yellow Knife Trail, Fort Davis, TX 79734
The multiple listing information is provided by LERA MLS. Copyright ©2026 LERA MLS. All Rights Reserved. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed accurate. This information should be independently verified if any person intends to engage in a transaction in reliance upon it. The information provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Based on information from Unlock MLS (alternatively, from ACTRIS) for the period through 10/02/2026. Neither the Board nor ACTRIS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. All data is provided “AS IS” and with all faults. Data maintained by the Board or ACTRIS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
Information being provided is for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Some IDX listings have been excluded from this website.
Data last updated: 10/02/2026 04:27
The information being provided by Central Texas MLS is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use, that it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing, and that the data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Central Texas MLS.
Based on information from South Texas MLS, LLC as of 2026-10-02 04:27:04. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. South Texas MLS, LLC provides the MLS and all content therein “AS IS” and without any warranty, express or implied. MLS aggregate data is a copyright of Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) and that the reader may not reproduce or distribute the MLS aggregate data.
© 2026 Bryan-College Station Regional Multiple Listing Service. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS or Legacy Broker Group. Data last updated 09/23/2023 16:30.
Information contained on the computer print-outs of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of the HOUSTON REALTORS® INFORMATION SERVICE (HRIS) is furnished by MLS Participants for dissemination to other MLS Participants, for their exclusive use, and should not be relied upon by Buyer/Tenant or any other person. There is no express or implied warranty by HAR or MLS as to the accuracy of such information, which should be independently verified by Buyer/Tenant or such other person. MLS does not verify the information and disclaims any responsibility for its accuracy.
Jeff Davis County on the map
Each marker is a Legacy Broker Group listing in Jeff Davis County — click for details; a sold one links to Significant Transactions.
Living in Jeff Davis County
- Davis Mountains State Park — A 2,709-acre state park with hiking trails, camping, dark-sky stargazing, and the historic CCC-era Indian Lodge.
- Fort Davis National Historic Site — One of the best-preserved frontier military posts in the Southwest, with hiking trails and living-history programs.
- McDonald Observatory — UT Austin's mountaintop observatory offers star parties and public programs beneath some of the nation's darkest skies.
- Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute — A 507-acre nature center south of Fort Davis with botanical gardens, a cactus greenhouse, hiking trails, and a bird blind.
- Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce — Visitor information, local business directory, and events calendar for Fort Davis, Valentine, and Jeff Davis County.
The vibe
Living in Jeff Davis County feels less like moving to a new address and more like stepping into a different tempo altogether. Fort Davis anchors the county with its sun-faded storefronts along the courthouse square, the old Hotel Limpia, and a handful of restaurants and shops that reflect an honest, unhurried way of life. The Overland Trail Museum, the Fort Davis Drug Store with its vintage soda fountain, and a restored nineteenth-century military post all sit within walking distance of one another. Valentine, the county's only other community, is known mainly for its post office, which stamps thousands of cards every February.
The land itself ranges from high-elevation grasslands studded with Emory oak and ponderosa pine to lower Chihuahuan Desert flats of creosote and sotol. Ranches here tend to be large, often measured in thousands of acres, and cattle remain the dominant agricultural enterprise. Limpia Creek winds through the county seat, and seasonal draws and springs provide water in many of the mountain canyons. The seventy-four-mile scenic loop along State Highways 118 and 166 circles through some of the most dramatic country in Texas, with views from the flanks of Mount Livermore, the highest peak in the Davis Mountains.
Because of its elevation, Jeff Davis County enjoys cooler summers than the surrounding desert. Daytime highs in July typically stay below the mid-nineties, and nighttime lows often dip into the low sixties, a welcome relief for anyone accustomed to triple-digit heat elsewhere in West Texas. The culture blends working ranch heritage with a growing creative and scientific community drawn by the landscape and the dark skies. Whether someone wants to run cattle on native grass, manage for mule deer and pronghorn, or simply own a piece of the mountains, the county delivers a quality of open space that is increasingly rare.
Market snapshot
As of September 2026, the Far West Texas land-market region, which includes Jeff Davis County, reported a median price of roughly $1,139 per acre in the most recent quarterly data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center, though county-level pricing varies widely based on elevation, water, improvements, and access. According to Texas Farm Credit, land across the Far West Texas region averaged approximately $2,787 per acre through year-end 2025, reflecting a 15.8 percent year-over-year increase. Statewide, rural land prices rose 6.02 percent year over year to $5,246 per acre in the first quarter of 2026, while Far West Texas remains one of the more affordable regions relative to the state as a whole. Market professionals note a continued standoff between buyers anchored to current interest rates and sellers anchored to peak 2022-to-2023 pricing, which has extended days on market for properties that lack premium qualities like live water, high elevation, or dark-sky views.
Listing aggregators show approximately 100,000 acres of farms, ranches, and rural land currently advertised for sale in Jeff Davis County, with total listing value in the range of twenty-one to twenty-four million dollars. Tract sizes here are often significantly larger than the statewide norm, and a single legacy ranch can shift the county's aggregate numbers in either direction. If you are looking to buy ranch in Jeff Davis County TX or sell my ranch Jeff Davis County TX, working with a land broker who understands these large-tract dynamics is essential.
Selling in Jeff Davis County?
Thinking of selling land or a ranch in Jeff Davis County? A Legacy Broker Group Broker Price Opinion is free, and it starts with the market you are actually in.
Amenities
Fort Davis ISD operates a single PK-through-12 campus serving the county, classified as a rural-remote school by the National Center for Education Statistics. The district has drawn attention for its community partnerships and its commitment to maintaining a broad academic program despite a small enrollment. Families in the county can also access educational resources through Region 18 Education Service Center in nearby Midland.
Davis Mountains State Park encompasses 2,709 acres of hiking trails, camping sites, and the historic Indian Lodge, a CCC-era hotel run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Fort Davis National Historic Site preserves one of the best-surviving examples of a frontier military post in the Southwest. The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, perched at roughly 6,500 feet on Mount Locke, offers star parties and public programs beneath some of the darkest skies in the nation. The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, also within the county, maintains a botanical garden, nature trail, and cactus greenhouse that draw visitors year-round.
Dining in Fort Davis is casual and character-rich. The Black Bear Restaurant at Indian Lodge, locally known barbecue spots, and the Fort Davis Drug Store's soda fountain all reflect a small-town West Texas feel. Alpine is roughly twenty-six miles south and adds Sul Ross State University, a regional hospital, grocery stores, and more dining options. Marfa sits about twenty-one miles to the southwest. The nearest commercial airports are Midland International, approximately 175 miles northeast, and El Paso International, about 175 miles to the northwest.
Jeff Davis County FAQs
What does it cost to buy land in Jeff Davis County TX right now?
Pricing varies enormously depending on elevation, water, and improvements. The broader Far West Texas region averaged approximately $2,787 per acre through year-end 2025 according to Texas Farm Credit, but individual ranch tracts in Jeff Davis County can range from well under a thousand dollars per acre for remote desert parcels to significantly more for improved, high-elevation properties with live water.
How large are most ranches for sale in Jeff Davis County?
Tracts here tend to be much larger than the Texas average. Listings commonly range from several hundred to tens of thousands of acres, and ranches of five thousand acres or more are not unusual in the county.
Should I buy a ranch in Jeff Davis County TX for cattle?
Cattle ranching has been the backbone of the county's agricultural economy for well over a century, with the vast majority of land devoted to pasture. The higher elevations receive more rainfall than the surrounding desert, supporting native grasses that sustain cow-calf operations.
Can I buy farm in Jeff Davis County TX?
Traditional row-crop farming is limited by the arid climate and rocky terrain. However, some operations grow hay, and the county has a history of niche agricultural products including apples, grapes, and nursery plants that take advantage of the cooler mountain climate.
What should I know if I want to sell my land Jeff Davis County TX?
The Far West Texas land market has seen meaningful price appreciation over the past several years, but elevated interest rates and a gap between buyer and seller expectations have lengthened days on market for many properties. A land broker Jeff Davis County TX who specializes in large rural tracts can help price a property competitively based on its water, access, elevation, and wildlife carrying capacity.
What is the closest city to Jeff Davis County with full services?
Alpine, about twenty-six miles south, offers a regional hospital, grocery stores, Sul Ross State University, and additional dining and retail. Marfa is roughly twenty-one miles southwest, and the Midland-Odessa metro area is approximately 175 miles to the northeast.
Why are the dark skies in Jeff Davis County important for land buyers?
The county sits within the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the darkest areas in the continental United States. That designation supports the McDonald Observatory's research mission and also protects against light-pollution encroachment, which can be a meaningful factor in long-term property values and conservation easement planning.
What wildlife can I expect on a ranch in Jeff Davis County?
The Davis Mountains support mule deer, pronghorn antelope, javelina, and a wide variety of bird species thanks to the sky-island ecosystem where Chihuahuan Desert meets mountain woodland. Many ranch owners manage specifically for wildlife habitat alongside their cattle operations.
How do I get to Jeff Davis County?
Most visitors arrive via Interstate 10, exiting at either Balmorhea or Van Horn to the north, or via U.S. 90 through Alpine and Marfa to the south. Midland International Airport and El Paso International Airport are each about 175 miles away.
Does Jeff Davis County have a school district?
Fort Davis ISD operates a single PK-through-12 campus that serves the entire county. The district is small but has maintained academic programs, extracurricular activities, and community partnerships that have drawn positive attention in recent years.
What is there to do in Fort Davis besides ranching?
Outdoor recreation centers on Davis Mountains State Park, the Fort Davis National Historic Site, and the McDonald Observatory star parties. The scenic loop drive along Highways 118 and 166 is one of the most popular drives in Texas. Nearby Marfa and Alpine add galleries, restaurants, and university events.
Market and community sections reviewed 2026-09-20.