Picture the American West and you may well be imagining Panhandle Plains. The region of Texas is covered in striking red-rock formations, rolling scrubland and colonial towns where cowboys still seem to roam. Set out in a car on its open roads and you may not encounter another town for miles, as vast stretches of the area remain untouched by human development.
Start your journey through the region in the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Exhibits here include a look at the area’s first inhabitants, prehistoric settlers from about 14,000 years ago, as well as displays on pioneer towns and the history of transportation.
Charming towns and cities lie in the heart of the Panhandle’s landscapes. Lubbock features the National Ranching Heritage Center, which recreates a working ranch, as well as the Buddy Holly Center. Amarillo is packed with museums, but also offers the thrills of roller coasters at Wonderland Park. Explore Abilene to find a zoo, a frontier museum and statues of famous characters from children’s literature.
Leave the cities behind to discover the weird and wonderful sights of the Panhandle’s rural regions. Watch the sides of the road to spot vintage cars buried upside down at Cadillac Ranch, an art project from the 1970s.
The region offers numerous beautiful state parks, including two stunning canyon networks. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is one of the state’s most impressive natural features. Bring your camera for photos of the red sandstone cliffs and towering rock formations. Caprock Canyons State Park isn’t as famous, but features similarly striking landscapes of red stone that have been recreated in many a classic western.
Spend a day by one of the region’s beautiful lakes. Lake Arrowhead State Park and Possum Kingdom State Park offer peaceful places to swim, dive and fish beneath the hot Texan sun.
The Panhandle Plains region has a milder climate than the southern regions of Texas, making it an accessible place to visit throughout the year, although winter can be cold and wet. Fly into Amarillo from other cities in Texas to land in the heart of the region.
