Explore, Discover & Shop

Come to the shady banks of Elm Creek, where large trees arch overhead and deer and other critters wander by. Just down the road from the heart of Buffalo Gap, the park is lush with native pecan, elm, live oak, red oak, cedar, juniper and other beautiful plants and wildflowers. You might see white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, foxes, and more. On land, you can hike, ride bikes or horses, picnic, play sand volleyball, basketball or other sports. On water, you can swim in the historic pool, and fish or boat in the lake. You can stay in your own RV or tent, or rent a screened shelter or furnished yurt. Fun for a day trip or stay a whole month! In 2023, an online popularity study even named it the most popular state park in Texas!

This authentic historical village tells the story of the last fifty years of the West Texas frontier. Actual buildings include a bank, post office, train station, wagon barn, doctor office, barber shop, printing press, two-room schoolhouse, courthouse and jail, settlers’ furnished houses, and more. Through interactive exhibits, educational programming, and historic interpretation, guests experience the formative years when the region changed from the Wild West to civilized settlements. Well worth the visit.

Existing to help people rediscover and focus on what matters most in life through rest, meaningful gatherings, play, solitude and unforgettable meals, Refuge Ranch has two unique locations – Refuge Ranch and Fort Refuge – that total almost 80 acres of majestic oaks, scenic hills and open spaces for beautiful sunsets! Day use and overnight options are available with both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Perini Ranch Country Market is just that – a country market. Nostalgic, authentic, and with Perini Ranch flair. Stop by for seasonal produce from their garden and other local farmers, and check out their unique kitchen supplies and hand selected gourmet foods, gardening supplies, old fashioned toys and children’s items, and healthy and fun treats for pets.

The Beauty Bus, right in the heart of Buffalo Gap, is a welcome oasis to both visitors and local residents. Guests can relax and enjoy the health and healing benefits of an infrared sauna, a full array of facial offerings, and expert massage therapy. With well-curated retail offerings, this exceptional day spa offers unique items for gifting or self-care!

A locally owned hardware store that has lots of supplies for homeowners, and a surprising array of items for visitors including campers and day-trippers as well as pets and RVs.

Held the weekend of the third Saturday of every month, the Buffalo Gap Flea Market and Trade Days is an eclectic mix of vendors selling arts, crafts, jewelry, household goods, new and used items of all kinds, food, treasures, and trinkets. It’s different every month, so check it out often.

A Texas Historical Commission marker calls the Buffalo Gap Cemetery the oldest public cemetery in Taylor County. Families were laying loved ones to rest here even before the earliest known headstones of about 1877, and the older section holds 146 graves, many of them Civil War veterans and early settlers. The native-stone Perini Chapel offers a quiet place to sit and reflect. The cemetery is still in use, so please visit respectfully.