Howard Springs, in Howard Draw in present-day Crockett County, Texas, was a vital spring in an otherwise dry stretch between the Devils and Pecos rivers. Long used by Native Americans, it later became the only dependable water source for a long section of the San Antonio–El Paso Road, making it an essential but difficult stop despite poor water quality and awkward access. Travelers in 1849 and 1857 left detailed accounts of its tiny but reliable pool and the surrounding valley. The site was also dangerous, with nearby violence continuing into 1872. Overgrazing and runoff eventually buried the springs, and only contaminated seeps remain nearby.