Andrews County: Bird Migration, Parks and History

More than 30 bird species have been spotted at the Andrews Bird Viewing Area; railroad, ranching and oil history offer further perspectives on Andrews County. Andrews also offers a range of activities, from walking trails to a disc golf course. You can plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most, rather than limiting yourself to just one kind of outing.

Birdwatching and distinctive landscapes

The Andrews Bird Viewing Area is open for day use only. A 0.2-mile walking trail leads to the area, where more than 30 bird species have been spotted. The area lies along a North American migration route: birds fly from Canada and the central United States through the Texas Panhandle to South Texas, Mexico and Central America. This broad geographical context gives birdwatching a distinctive setting—it is not just about the number of species spotted, but also about a route that connects several regions of the continent.

Shafter Lake offers a very different landscape: it is a large salt flat and a dry lake basin. At the same time, Shafter Lake is described as a ghost town that has been abandoned for almost 100 years. Landform and local history come together in this unusual description. If you are interested in landscapes and settlement history, the name offers a different point of entry from birdwatching at the Andrews Bird Viewing Area.

Active days in Andrews

In Andrews, you can choose from a variety of activities. Carter Park has a walking trail. Wetlands Park has a disc golf course and bike trails; at Lakeside Park, you can fish from a fishing pier. Andrews County Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course. Walking, cycling, disc golf, fishing and golf each offer a different focus—useful if you want to plan varied days or make particular interests the centerpiece of your trip.

Andrews Splash Park offers another kind of activity: a description in the 2021 city budget mentions a large swimming pool with slides, a climbing wall and a diving board. Check whether the park will be open on your travel dates before visiting. This keeps your plans aligned with your actual visit dates instead of assuming the park will be open.

Ranching, railroads and remembrance

The history of the Midland and Northwestern Railroad links Midland and Seminole: its 65-mile route was completed in 1918. The railroad was developed to transport cattle to markets and encourage settlement. The route, year of construction and purpose tell the story not just of a railroad, but also of the role it was intended to play in the region.

Legacy Park Museum explores Andrews’ ranching roots and Andrews’ influence on the Texas oil industry. The museum includes the J.S. Ranch House, one of the oldest houses in Andrews County. The Andrews County Veterans Memorial offers another perspective: it honors Andrews residents who made sacrifices for the nation. Its granite panels list wars from the American Civil War through the War on Terrorism. Together, these places represent distinct chapters—from ranching and oil to remembrance.

ACE Arena hosts rodeo events and live music concerts. The 14th annual Wild Wild West Festival celebrated the diverse culture and rich heritage of the Wild West; the festival also included the Texas ShootOut BBQ Cook-off. If you plan to include a festival or the cook-off in your trip, check the event dates and program details in advance.

Getting here and choosing the right location for your stay

Andrews County Airport is a public-use airport owned by Andrews County. It has a full-service FBO with a pilots’ lounge and Wi-Fi. For directions to Florey Park, the Texas Historical Commission gives a route from Andrews: about 3 miles north on U.S. 385, then about 3 miles east on Florey Park Road. Both distances are approximate.

When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to first consider which experiences matter most: birdwatching, parks and outdoor activities, or culture and local history. If several of these themes are important to you, include the specific places in your plans and consider the accommodation’s location in relation to the stops you want to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Andrews, Fisher County, Llano, Bowie, Caldwell County, Hill County, Gaines County, Bailey County.

For the main travel overview: Texas.