Fort Clark Springs Texas

We left Canyon Lake mid-morning and made a rather long drive, well at least for us, to Fort Clark Springs in Brackettville, TX. The 173 mile drive also took us through San Antonio around Loop 1604 and we actually drove right past the exit to our son’s house.

Brackettville is a small  two light town and is home to Fort Clark which was once a frontier fort in the mid-1800’s. The fort was built on higher grounds near the the Las Moras Springs ("Mulberry Springs") which are the headwaters of Las Moras Creek.

The fort has seen its fair share of 1800’s American History during the Civil War and during the Indian Wars. It was during the Indian Wars that the Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts were headquartered at Fort Clark from 1870 to 1914. The scouts played a decisive role in the Indian campaigns.and later four of them would receive the Medal of Honor.

Military calvary were stationed at the fort in the remaining years of housing military personnel. During World War II the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Horse) Texas National Guard was stationed there and the fort was even designated as a German prisoner-of-war subcamp. After WWII the fort was officially inactivated in early 1946 and later sold.

Fort Clark Springs is now a  2,700 acre unincorporated community and gated resort. It is a leisure living community and popular with Winter Texans because of the natural beauty surrounding this unique place.

Las Moras Springs discharges an average of 12 -14 million gallons per day. The springs fill a large walled-in area which spills into a 300-foot long swimming pool with 68 degree water year round.The excess flow is diverted to a bypass channel around the pool and helps form the headwaters of Las Moras Creek.

We hiked all along the Las Moras Creek as it is a lush oasis of live oaks, pecans and other woodland species you wouldn’t expect in this arid region. Once a home to Indians it is now home to birds and wildlife. The crystal clear waters make hiking along the creek especially enjoyable.

While we only spent a few days here we certainly enjoyed our stay and would recommend Fort Clark Springs as a nice respite along the long road heading westward in Texas.