Overview
Dalhart is a city in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle. It is known as the "Gateway to the Rockies" because it is an important stopover and resting place for many Texans on their way to the ski slopes of northeast New Mexico and Colorado.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dalhart
XIT Ranch Museum
Focuses not only on the (no longer existent) three-million-acre ranch which blanketed the area, but also has exhibits on local wildlife, railroad history of the area, and the role of the County Sheriff in Old West life.
XIT Rodeo and Reunion
Held the first weekend of August every year, features live music, professional and amateur rodeo events, the world's largest free barbecue, and other activities.
Lake Rita Blanca Park
On the south edge of town offers hiking, biking, and horse trails and makes a good place for birdwatching. The 2,168 acre park was once Texas' most northernmost state park but is now administered by the city of Dalhart.
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AMA Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo — 74 mi away. Directions
- LBL Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, Liberal — 110 mi away. Directions
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 224 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning XIT Ranch Museum, XIT Rodeo and Reunion
- Lunch XIT Woodfire Grill
- Afternoon Lake Rita Blanca Park
- Dinner Hodies Barbeque
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
- US 87 connects Dalhart to Clayton, New Mexico to the northwest and Dumas to the southeast.
- US 57 connects Dalhart to Guymon, Oklahoma to the northeast and Tucumcari, New Mexico to the southwest.
- From I-40 west of Amarillo, take Highway 385 north from the small town of Vega, about 80 minutes.
Get around
As with most other towns in the area, a car is a necessity.
See
Do
Do Lake Rita Blanca Park
On the south edge of town offers hiking, biking, and horse trails and makes a good place for birdwatching. The 2,168 acre park was once Texas' most northernmost state park but is now administered by the city of Dalhart.
Eat
Eat XIT Woodfire Grill
Here they have cream corn and tri-tip and brisket.
Eat Hodies Barbeque
One of the oldest and most popular restaurants in town.
Eat The Grill
Has the best burgers in town.
Sleep
Go next
- Rita Blanca National Grassland, contact office in Clayton, New Mexico, 505 374 9652. To the north and northwest of town, over 77,000 acres of what was once the XIT ranch are now preserved in this parcel of Cibola National Forest. The area provides excellent birdwatching and offers limited antelope hunting by special permit.
- Stratford, northeast on Texas 54, is a small historic depot town with many homes from 1900-1910.
Nearby
Stratford
City / town · 8 listings · 31 mi away
Dumas
City / town · 8 listings · 34 mi away
Clayton
City / town · 6 listings · 46 mi away
Boise City
City / town · 1 listings · 46 mi away
Texhoma
City / town · 2 listings · 51 mi away
Adrian
City / town · 7 listings · 55 mi away
Vega
City / town · 13 listings · 57 mi away
Fritch
City / town · 4 listings · 59 mi away
My experience
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