Panhandle Region
HISTORY • PANHANDLE REGION
State of Texas Longhorn Herd
LOCATIONS
Copper Breaks State Park
777 Park Road 62 | Quanah
FEES
Adults: $3 • Children 12 and under free
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
11450 Park Road 5 | Canyon
FEES
Adults: $8 • Children 12 and under free
Fort Griffin State Historic Site
1701 N U.S. Hwy 283 | Albany
FEES
Adults: $4 • Children 6–17: $3 • Children 5 and under free
In the 1800s, pioneers crossing Texas spoke of the abundant, long-horned “Texas cattle.” Today, you can find members of the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd at San Angelo, LBJ, Copper Breaks and Palo Duro Canyon state parks, plus Fort Griffin State Historic Site.
Selfie Instructions
Using caution and keeping a safe distance, snap a selfie with a big ol’ steer from the State of Texas Longhorn Herd.
PARKS • PANHANDLE REGION
Caprock Canyons State Park
Caprock Canyons is home to what magazine photographer Maegan Lanham claims is the prettiest campsite in Texas (campsite 36 in the South Prong area, if you’re curious). Camping not your thing? Check out the State Bison Herd roaming the plains, swim or fish in Lake Theo or take a hike through the red rock canyons.
Selfie Instructions
Snap a selfie in front of a park bison statue.
SPLASH • PANHANDLE REGION
Lake Mackenzie
Life just seems better at the lake. At Lake Mackenzie, you can enjoy wading, swimming, boating or fishing. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks the lake with catfish, bass, crappie and walleye. Don’t want to swim with the fishes? Enjoy a lake-view picnic or look for birds and mammals along the park’s nature trails.
Selfie Instructions
With Lake Mackenzie in the background, snap a selfie from one of the covered picnic shelters.
WILD • PANHANDLE REGION
Lubbock Lake Landmark
The Lubbock Lake Landmark contains evidence of almost 12,000 years of human occupation. Today, the 336-acre site is one of the premier archeological and natural history sites in North America. Visit the Robert A. Nash Interpretive Center, explore the central research compound or just enjoy the half-mile ADA-accessible wildflower trail.
Selfie Instructions
Snap a selfie with the Landmark’s life-size bronze mammoth mom and baby statues.
QUIRKY • PANHANDLE REGION
Hodgetown
Sitting approximately 3,600 feet above sea level, Hodgetown is the most elevated AA ballpark in the country, a neon wheat-themed Art Deco stadium in the heart of downtown Amarillo. What pushes it into the quirky category is the team that plays there, the adorably named Amarillo Sod Poodles (named after prairie dogs). Go Soddies!
Selfie Instructions
Snap a selfie in front of the stadium. For bonus points, take in a Soddies home game!
BONUS • PANHANDLE REGION
The Big Texan
Since its March 1960 opening, founder R.J. Lee’s Big Texan Steak House has become one of the most iconic stops on Route 66, serving 500,000 visitors a year. The restaurant is best known for its 72-ounce steak challenge — if you can eat a 72-ounce steak, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, dinner salad and a dinner roll in one hour, your meal is free.
Selfie Instructions
Snap a selfie outside the Big Texan Steakhouse, then head inside and enjoy a delicious meal (steak challenge attempts are optional).