Dallam County: Day Trips and History in the Texas Panhandle
Accommodation in Dallam County
Dallam County combines outdoor day trips with stories of railroads, ranching history, and regional traditions. Families planning a trip can choose from an active day of disc golf, insights into the history of the Texas Panhandle, and special events in Dalhart. Each place and activity has a different focus—helpful when deciding which experiences you want to shape your days.
Day Trips and Outdoor Activities
Lake Rita Blanca City Park and Rita Blanca National Grassland are open for day use only. Plan both as day-trip destinations and choose separate accommodations for overnight stays. Rita Blanca Lake Park also has RV sites near the Lake Center Building.
If you want to get active, Rita Blanca Coliseum has an 18-hole disc golf course. It is free to the public and open year-round during daylight hours. Families with different interests can pair a specific activity with a visit to cultural attractions or a history outing, without needing to follow a single set itinerary.
A Museum, a Theater, and a Living Tradition
The XIT Museum focuses on the history of Dallam and Hartley counties and houses numerous permanent and temporary exhibits. Dioramas and educational programs for schoolchildren also offer insight into the native wildlife of the northwestern part of the Texas Panhandle. The museum thus offers two distinct perspectives: regional history and natural history. This connection makes it a good place for a family visit with children, especially if you want to do more than spend time outdoors and learn more about the region.
La Rita Performing Arts Theatre has a history of its own. The building was remodeled in the Art Deco style in the summer of 1942. Dalhart is also home to the XIT Ranch and hosts the annual XIT Reunion, featuring a rodeo and parade. The event includes a horse with an empty saddle, honoring the former riders of the cattle country. This tradition gives a visit a distinctive cultural connection; if you want to experience the Reunion, plan your trip around the event dates.
Local History and More to Discover
The Dallam County Courthouse was designed by Smith and Townes and completed in 1923. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Texline also has a special place in local history: it was the first county seat of Dallam County. Dalhart, in turn, was founded at the point where the Rock Island Railroad and the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad lines crossed. These three facts tell different chapters of the county’s history, from its early county seat to the founding of Dalhart and a notable public building.
Dalhart is also a stop on the Quanah Parker Trail, part of the Texas Plains Trail Region. When choosing a vacation rental, you might first consider whether you want to focus your trip on outdoor day trips, culture and regional history, or an event. Then narrow your search to the places you plan to visit; day-trip destinations are not automatically places to stay overnight. Places in the county also include Dalhart, Texline and University Park.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
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