Elephant Mountain WMA: Wildlife Viewing


Phone: (432) 364-2228
Address:
109 S. Cockrell
Alpine, TX 79830

Contact: Cody McEntire

Dates Open: Year round except: except entire area closed for special hunts
Driving Tour is open May 1 through August 30, annually.

Registration is required.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife Viewing Permitted

Viewing wildlife is an enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.

A Wildlife Viewing Site is open May 1 through August 30 annually. The Elephant Mountain WMA driving tour leads to the Viewing Site. Total distance, one-way, is approximately seven miles. The Viewing Site contains interpretive panels and serves as a demonstration site for water collection, wildlife water sites, and wildlife friendly fencing. The roof of the Viewing Site collects rainwater which is held in a enclosed water tank. The water tank feeds a small wildlife water drinker which is accessible to many species of native wildlife. It is not uncommon to see various species of birds visit the water while one is sitting quietly under the shelter. The three-strand fence surrounding the Viewing Site allows native wildlife access to the water, while preventing cattle from using this drinker.

Visitors should use caution when driving to the Viewing Site due to the possibility of poor road conditions. Low clearance vehicles may not be suited for the driving tour road following periods of heavy rainfall. Wildlife species visitors can expect to see along the driving tour include desert mule deer, javelina, numerous bird species which vary depending upon the season, many lizard species during the warmer months, various species of snakes, and butterflies. At the Wildlife Viewing Site, visitors can scan the mountain slopes for views of desert bighorn. At a minimum, binoculars are a must, and spotting scopes are recommended. Morning is the best time to visit the Wildlife Viewing Site due to light conditions. The slopes of Elephant Mountain are closed to visitors to protect the desert bighorn herd.

Over 65 species of mammals, eight amphibian species, 40 species of reptiles, 160 species of birds, and 50 species of butterflies have been documented on the property.