Big Sky. Big Heart. Big Spring!
Big Spring is the county seat of Howard County, Texas, and lies at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. It is the largest city between Midland to the west (40 miles/minutes away, pop.110,000+), Abilene to the east (1hr 45 min), Lubbock to the north (1hr 45 min), and San Angelo to the south (1.5 hrs). Midland, the closest of these, boasts the Midland International Airport, which provides non-stop service to five major US cities; Austin, Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston and Las Vegas. Midland also offers metropolitan entertainments to those in the region, including theatrical productions, restaurants and nightclubs, movie theaters, professional sports events. The McMahon Wrinkle Airport, formerly Webb AFB, has been the site of several major hang gliding championship tournaments, including the U.S. and World Hang Gliding Championships. It is also home to the Hangar 25 Air Museum. Since opening their doors in May of 1999, the Hangar 25 Air Museum has hosted more than 35,000 visitors from all 50 states and 31 foreign countries.
Big Spring is a haven for nature enthusiasts with an abundance of recreational options. The area features hunting, fishing, bird watching and water recreation with over 800 acres of public parks. The original 'big spring' is surrounded by Comanche Trail Park which features hike and bike trails around Comanche Trail Lake, a disc golf course, a historic Amphitheater and an eighteen hole municipal golf course.
The Big Spring State Park is 382 acres located within the city limits of Big Spring in Howard County. Dramatic views off of the 200-foot bluff and from the three-mile drive that loops around the mountain following the ledge are the featured attractions of the park. Early morning or sunset, joggers, walkers, and cyclists circle the loop, enjoying these views as they exercise. A small prairie dog town lies in a little valley on the south side of the park and many of the area's numerous and varied bird species can also be observed at the park. Other activities include picnicking, nature study and sightseeing.
Big Spring is also only a few hours' drive from the dramatic scenery of Big Bend National Park, the underground splendor of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and the natural beauty of the Guadalupe and Davis Mountains. The ski slopes of Colorado and New Mexico are within driving distance. Scenic lakes, campgrounds, and wilderness areas are easily accessible to recreation-oriented residents. To the north and east are the western Rolling Plains; to the south is the Edwards Plateau; and to the west are the southern High Plains (also known as the Llano Estacado or the Staked Plains).
Though the city enjoys over 300 sunny days each year, the average heat index during the summer is lower than that in Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin. During the winter, the climate is mild, similar to other desert climates in the southwest.
