The Texas Panhandle offers vast prairies and grasslands in an area that includes the state's northernmost 26 counties. The Pandhandle's largest cities are Amarillo, located in the high plains, and Lubbock, situated in the heart of cotton country. On a camping trip to this area, you'll enjoy rugged scenery and outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking and canoeing.
Scenery and Wildlife
The Panhandle offers you scenery from the "Old West", including the colorful ravines of Palo Duro Canyon State Park-- the“Grand Canyon of Texas”--and the prairies of the Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The canyons abound with wildlife where you might see Barbary sheep, wild turkeys and roadrunners while hiking the many canyon trails. The winding country roads through this sparsely populated area offer vistas of windswept mesas and river corridors where wildflowers and desert plants abound.
Best Seasons for Camping
Plan to visit the Texas Panhandle in the summer or fall. Winters in this area of Texas are harsh and unpredictable, and snowfall is common. If camping between late March through early June, pay attention to weather reports because this area is prone to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Summers tend to be milder in the Panhandle than in some other Texan destinations, making the season a good time for a camping trip to the area.
Where to Camp
Cities such as Amarillo and Lubbock offer private RV parks and campsites with modern amenities. However, if you're looking for a more rustic experience, the Panhandle's national and state parks have a wide range of campgrounds for you to choose from. You'll find shoreline camping at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. No reservations are required, and all campgrounds are free. When camping at either the Caprock Canyons or Palo Duro Canyon state park campgrounds, you'll be surrounded by canyons and deep, colorful ravines.
Outdoor Activities
Located 100 miles southeast of Amarillo, Caprock Canyons State Park offers more than 90 miles of multi-use trails along the Caprock Escarpment. For swimming, scuba diving and other water-based activities, head to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, north of Amarillo. The Panhandle is horseback-riding country. You can rent a horse at Pole Canyon Ranch and ride the 7-mile Comanche Trail and view the Valley of Tears. Go canoeing on Morgan Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River at Colorado City State Park in the southern Panhandle.
Attractions
Located on the campus of West Texas A & M University, the Plains Historical Museum features displays of the area's paleontology and archaeology. While in Canyon, Texas, you can visit Elkins Ranch for a taste of cowboy life on this working ranch. For a look at the life and culture of the Plains Indians, a visit to the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian in Amarillo is in order. The city of Lubbock is home to the Buddy Holly Center and the National Ranching Heritage Center, a museum of early Texas ranching history.
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