Hidden In Texas' Panhandle Is An Underrated National Park Site With Natural Beauty And Archeological Treasures

For those seeking a unique experience, look no further than the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. Located in Potter County, the national monument combines history, geography, and the stunning landscape of the Texas Panhandle, a region incorporated into the state after the Mexican War as part of the Compromise of 1850. As the name suggests, the national monument is filled with quarries created by early Indigenous people seeking Alibates Flint.

In the 1960s, the Potter County Historical Survey Committee campaigned Congress to protect and preserve the site. Their efforts paid off because Alibates was declared a national monument in 1965. Since then, workers have taken special care to keep the archeological history of the area safe, as this is the only site of its kind in Texas that safeguards the quarries created by the Native peoples.

Travelers wanting to visit the national monument may find it easier to fly into a neighboring state and then drive. For example, Oklahoma City is about 4 hours from Alibates Flint Quarries, but Fort Worth, Texas, is a little over 5 hours away. Depending on where travelers are coming from, they can also fly into Amarillo International Airport, which is only about a 40-minute drive from the national monument. Amarillo is the biggest city in the Texas Panhandle and home to a top Route 66 pitstop with a scenic canyon and fun amusement park, so visitors should take some time to stop by while they're in the area.

So, what is Alibates Flint? The stone — an especially hard, multi-colored material — was found to be a particularly good substance for toolmaking because of its durability and the fact that it breaks predictable patterns. The material has played a significant role in creating a history that goes back millennia. In addition to the evidence of more recent settlements, estimated to be between A.D. 1150 and 1450, archeologists have found Alibates Flint tools in the site from the Clovis culture, dating around 13,000 and 11,000 years ago. To get the flint out of the ground, ancient people had to dig with sticks or their hands, which is why visitors will find more than 700 hand-dug quarry pits at the national monument.

Visitors to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument will not only find quarries but also find petroglyphs, images carved into rock surfaces often associated with prehistoric tribes. Some of the petroglyphs depict things like turtles and bison, but they were not only used for art but also for leaving messages. People can learn more about petroglyphs and Native American tribes that once lived here. Because New Mexico borders Texas, visitors interested in local history can also stop by historical sites in that state, like Pecos, an ancient village with historic sites and mesas.

If you want to view the quarry yourself, it does require that you book one of the ranger-guided hikes in advance. The trail is about 2 miles and includes loose gravel and stairs, so visitors should be aware of that before they call to reserve a tour. While on the outing, you'll learn more about the human and natural history of Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument as you make your way through the area. You'll also see several dwellings built by Native Americans, but tours of the village ruins are only given during the month of October. Travelers interested in walking and hiking through more of the Lone Star State should try the San Antonio Mission Trail, a walk and bike-friendly trail that goes through a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The national monument includes not only the quarries, but also a visitor center and museum. While it's required to reserve a guided hike ahead of time, the visitor center is open daily to the public without advance booking. It not only has exhibits that dive into the history of the area, but also self-guided tours through the museum and a film about the national monument and outdoor gardens. You'll also find the Mesquite Trail outside the visitor center, a quarter-mile hike that takes you through a beautiful landscape surrounded by mesquite trees.