The Texas Panhandle is a region of vast landscapes, rugged beauty, and rich history. If you're looking for a unique road trip that takes you off the beaten path, this area has plenty to offer. Just use Amarillo as your jumping-off point, and start exploring! From breathtaking canyons to quirky roadside attractions, here are fifteen destinations you won’t want to miss on your Texas Panhandle adventure.
Jump Through the Blog:
- Palo Duro Canyon
- Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- Boot Hill Cemetery in Vega
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
- Old Tascosa
- Quanah Parker Trail
- Devil's Rope Museum
- XIT Museum
- Mobeetie Jail Museum
- Caprock Canyons State Park
- Canadian River Historic Wagon Bridge
- Bob Wills Museum
- Adobe Walls Battle Site
- Lake Fryer
1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Of course, we had to start with the big one! Conveniently located only 24 miles southeast of Amarillo, Palo Duro is often called the "Grand Canyon of Texas.” That’s because this vast natural wonder is the second-largest canyon in the entire United States. This state park offers stunning vistas, hiking and biking trails, and even an outdoor musical drama, “Texas,” which has been performed every summer in the canyon for nearly 60 years. For a daytrip, drive the scenic loop through the canyon—or consider camping overnight for a truly immersive experience.
2. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
This lesser-known gem, located 35 miles north of Amarillo near Fritch, offers a glimpse into ancient Texas history. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument preserves a site where Indigenous peoples mined high-quality flint for tools and weapons over 13,000 years ago. The guided tours provide fascinating insights into the area’s past, and the surrounding landscape of red-dirt mesas offers a stunning panorama.
3. Boot Hill Cemetery in Vega
A historic cowboy burial ground, the Boot Hill Cemetery in Vega, 36 miles west of Amarillo, makes for a fascinating stop for those interested in the Old West. Standing proudly beneath the vast West Texas skies, this graveyard offers insight into the rough-and-tumble days of early Panhandle settlers and the lawmen and outlaws who once roamed the area.
4. Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
If you’re looking to cool off, Lake Meredith (38 miles north of Amarillo near Fritch) is the perfect spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. The lake was created by the completion of the Sanford Dam in 1965; today this gorgeous lake is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain, making it a scenic and peaceful for a daytrip.
5. Old Tascosa
Thirty-nine miles northwest of Amarillo, Old Tascosa—now mostly abandoned and part of the famed residential community for at-risk youth known as Boys Ranch—was once a thriving frontier town and a hotspot for cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen. Billy the Kid once spent time here, and Tascosa was once the site of a gunfight featuring legendary Texas lawman Pat Garrett; Old Tascosa was even the filming location for the showdown between Lin McAdams (played by Jimmy Stewart) and Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) in the classic western movie Winchester ’73. Today, the remnants of this historic town make for a fascinating daytrip stop, for those interested in Texas’s Wild West history.
6. Quanah Parker Trail in Clarendon
In the area in and around Clarendon—60 miles to the southeast of Amarillo—look for dozens of massive arrows piercing the earth. These arrows—each 22 feet tall and constructed by artist Charles A. Smith—commemorate the life of Quanah Parker, last chief of the Comanche and the territory (known as the “Comanchería”) where his people lived. While immersing yourself in the vast West Texas landscape, you’ll learn amazing facts about Quanah and the “Lords of the Plains” (as the Comanche were known). An interesting note: While the arrows are most prevalent around Clarendon, they can be found as far north as Stratford and as far south as Big Spring. You can even discover arrows in Amarillo! Why not turn your search into a scavenger hunt?
7. Devil’s Rope Museum
Located 74 miles due east of Amarillo in McLean, Texas, this unique museum is dedicated to the history and significance of barbed wire—also known as “devil’s rope.” The museum showcases different types of barbed wire and the invention’s incredibly important impact on the development of the American West. The invention of barbed wire allowed ranchers and farmers to demarcate property and control livestock, which had previously roamed freely—and that story is told with grace and intelligence in this delightful museum.
8. XIT Museum
Located 85 miles northwest of Amarillo in Dalhart, the XIT Museum tells the story of what was once the largest cattle ranch in the world. It’s hard to believe, but the XIT once covered over three MILLION acres; that makes it bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. The XIT museum features exhibits on ranching life, Native American culture, and the region’s agricultural history.
9. Mobeetie Jail Museum
Mobeetie, known as the “Mother City of the Panhandle," was home to one of the region's first jails. The Mobeetie Jail Museum (86 miles northeast of Amarillo) offers a fascinating look into the lawless days of the Old West, complete with artifacts and stories of infamous outlaws. The 1886 jail building itself was constructed from locally quarried stone; the museum’s collection features exhibits on the lives of American Indians, buffalo hunters, soldiers, and settlers who struggled for control of the Texas Panhandle.
10. Caprock Canyons State Park
If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, Caprock Canyons State Park (101 miles southeast of Amarillo) is another breathtaking destination. Home to the Texas State Bison Herd, the park offers excellent hiking, biking, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. The red rock cliffs and rolling plains also provide a perfect backdrop for exploring. Besides bison, keep an eye out for mule and white-tailed deer, coyotes, and bobcats.
11. Canadian River Historic Wagon Bridge
Located in Canadian, 101 miles northeast of Amarillo, this historic bridge once served as a major crossing point for early travelers and settlers. At over 3,000 feet in length, the bridge was once the state’s longest metal-truss bridge. Today, it’s a picturesque site perfect for a daytrip, some amateur photography, and a wonderful glimpse into the past.
12. Bob Wills Museum
Country music fans will enjoy a visit to the Bob Wills Museum in Turkey, Texas (102 miles southeast of Amarillo). Bob Wills, known as the "King of Western Swing," revolutionized the Western swing genre by blending jazz, blues, and big band/swing influences, creating a unique and danceable sound. The museum in Turkey celebrates Wills’ legacy with memorabilia, photos, and exhibits about his career.
13. Adobe Walls Battle Site
History buffs will appreciate a visit to the Adobe Walls Battle Site, where two significant battles occurred between Native Americans and buffalo hunters—the first in 1864, and the second ten years later in 1874. The site, located 115 miles northeast of Amarillo, was originally established in 1843 as a trading post for buffalo hunters and local Native American trade in the vicinity of the Canadian River. Today this quiet, remote location is revered for its immense historical importance.
14. Lake Fryer
Located 124 miles northeast of Amarillo, near Perryton, Lake Fryer is a hidden gem known for its excellent fishing, camping, and outdoor relaxation opportunities. Named for James T. Fryer—a local pioneer rancher—this charming destination in Ochiltree County was formed by an earthen dam on Wolf Creek in 1940. Surrounded by lush greenery and rolling plains, Lake Fryer makes a great spot for a peaceful retreat away from the hustle-bustle of city life.
Make a Day of It!
Daytrips throughout the Texas Panhandle offer tons of chances for adventures, with innumerable natural wonders, historical sites, and hidden gems. Whether you're exploring deep canyons, reliving history, or uncovering off-the-beaten-path attractions, the Panhandle region offers something for everyone. So fuel up, hit the road, and start discovering the best West Texas has to offer!
[SIDEBAR]
Road Trip Spotlight: Bob Wills Day
Bob Wills Day is held on the last weekend of April in Turkey, Texas. The annual celebration honors the legacy of Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. The small town of Turkey, where Wills spent part of his youth, has embraced its connection to the legendary musician by hosting this festival since 1971. Fans of Western Swing music, country dancing, and Texas history gather from all over the country for the lively event.
The festival typically begins on Thursday with jam sessions and informal gatherings of musicians playing Wills’s signature style—a fusion of jazz, blues, country, and swing. By Friday, the festivities ramp up with concerts, barbecues, and street dances, drawing both veteran Western Swing performers and new artists who are keeping the tradition alive. The celebration culminates on Saturday with a grand parade, a fiddling contest, and an evening dance featuring live music, where attendees two-step and waltz to the timeless sounds of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
But Bob Wills Day is more than just a music festival. The town of Turkey, normally quiet, springs fully to life with RVs, cowboy hats, delicious foods, and lots of vendors. Of course, the event also serves as a reunion for longtime fans and musicians, reinforcing the community spirit that Western Swing embodies.
