Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Texas

This month's National Park Getaway
Less than an hour drive from Amarillo, Texas

Fritch, Tex. – For more than 13,000 years, people have used colorful flint from a mesa in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Archeological traces of prehistoric Indians' homes, workshops and campsites dot the entire Canadian River region of the Texas Panhandle, but few sites are as dramatic as Alibates Flint Quarries.

This 1,337-acre monument, the only national monument in the state of Texas, protects a mesa top literally covered in a carpet of Alibates flint chips. Collecting is not allowed, but you can pick up and examine the flint, even taste it, as long as you put it back.
The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons for optimum conditions, including the second week of September through the end of October. If you're in the area on October 4, plan to attend FlintFest, an annual celebration that takes place on the first Saturday in October. This year there will be several highlights including the knap-in, featuring some of the best flintknappers from around the area demonstrating the skill of making stone tools and weapons.

Nearby Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a variety of camping opportunities, including scenic overlooks, shoreline camping, and wooded campgrounds. All campgrounds are FREE. No reservations are needed; sites are on a first-come, first-served basis. Trailer/RV hookups and showers are NOT available anywhere at Lake Meredith. There are also several private RV parks in the area.

Alibates Flint Quarries is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed only on New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Read more about Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument here.