Overview
Pampa is the second largest city in the High Plains region of the Texas Panhandle. Pampa hosts the Top o' Texas Rodeo each year in July, which brings competitors from Texas and the surrounding states to Gray County. The White Deer Land Company Museum, which showcases ranching exhibits, is in downtown Pampa. In 2020, it was home to 17,000 people.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 5 places to eat · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pampa
Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center
Center dedicated to the story of the folk music legend who began his musical career here, buying his first guitar in Pampa in the 1930s. The center is located in the old Harris Drug store which was brand new at the time,…
Freedom Museum USA
This somewhat ambitiously named museum hosts a modest collection of war memorabilia and strives to keep alive the memory of the Pampa Army Air Base, a pilot and mechanic training facility which existed during World War I…
Little Red Schoolhouse
This one-room schoolhouse was built and used during the 1930s. You can't go inside, but it's worth stopping by for a photo.
Prairie dog town
A large colony of prairie dogs as well as various species of larks and hawks can be seen here.
White Deer Land Museum
This museum is housed in the 80-year-old restored Land Office Building. It contains many artifacts of the early pioneers and the Western heritage of Texas and Gray County. Guided tours.
Chatauqua Celebration
On the first Monday in September every year. Booths, food and entertainment.
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 — 47 mi away. Directions
- LBL Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, Liberal — 104 mi away. Directions
- OKC OKC Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma City — 190 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center, Freedom Museum USA, Prairie dog town
- Lunch China Dragon
- Afternoon Pampa H2O, White Deer Riding Club Rodeo
- Dinner Coney Island Cafe
Day 2
- Morning White Deer Land Museum, Little Red Schoolhouse
- Lunch Jay's Drive-In
- Afternoon Chatauqua Celebration, Top-O'-Texas Rodeo
- Dinner The Plaza
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
- US-60 connects to Pampa from Amarillo, about an hour to the west/southwest, and from Canadian to the east.
- TX-70 connects with Perryton to the north, and has important connections to the south with I-40 near Groom (30 minutes), and with US-287 at Clarendon, for those coming from the Wichita Falls or Dallas-Fort Worth areas.
- TX-152 leads into town from the northwest, from Borger (30 minutes), Dumas (75 minutes) or Dalhart
Get around
There is really no public transportation here, so you will need a car.
See
See Little Red Schoolhouse
This one-room schoolhouse was built and used during the 1930s. You can't go inside, but it's worth stopping by for a photo.
See Prairie dog town
A large colony of prairie dogs as well as various species of larks and hawks can be seen here.
See Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center
Center dedicated to the story of the folk music legend who began his musical career here, buying his first guitar in Pampa in the 1930s. The center is located in the old Harris Drug store which was brand new at the time, and sells souvenirs and memorabilia celebrating the famed musician.
Do
Do Chatauqua Celebration
On the first Monday in September every year. Booths, food and entertainment.
Do Top-O'-Texas Rodeo
One of the best PRCA events in the Texas Panhandle. Held every August.
Do White Deer Riding Club Rodeo
Buy
Pampa has a number of crafts and antiques shops. For basic necessities, United supermarket on north Hobart is the main grocery store in town. There is also a Wal-mart Supercenter on the north end of Perryton Parkway.
Shop Trash & Treasure Shop
Eat
Eat Coney Island Cafe
A classic diner, popular with the locals.
Eat The Plaza
Popular Mexican food restaurant on North Hobart.
Sleep
Stay Black Gold Motel
Stay Holiday Inn Express
Camping and RV parks
Stay Spring Meadows RV Park
Go next
- Black Kettle National Grassland, northeast about 55 miles on Texas highway 60 (Look for the turnoff about 10 miles beyond Canadian). Part of Cibola National Forest. While most of this park is in Oklahoma, this separate 576-acre park includes Lake Marvin, providing a beautiful relaxation spot for any Panhandle traveller who misses seeing lots of trees.
- McClellan Creek National Grassland, 18 miles to the south on highway 70, 580 497 2143. Part of Cibola National Forest, this park has passable campground facilities and RV hook-ups, and offers fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. Be cautious of rattlesnakes.
- Lake Meredith, at Fritch, has good boating facilities and is a popular fishing spot.
- Perryton, north of highway 60, has a museum with exhibits on the Panhandle Plains Villagers of pre-colonization times.
- Square House Museum, in Panhandle, 30 minutes west on Highway 60.
Nearby
Groom
City / town · 6 listings · 25 mi away
Borger
City / town · 10 listings · 26 mi away
Panhandle
City / town · 3 listings · 27 mi away
McLean
City / town · 13 listings · 30 mi away
Conway
City / town · 3 listings · 33 mi away
Fritch
City / town · 4 listings · 36 mi away
Wheeler
City / town · 7 listings · 40 mi away
Canadian
City / town · 11 listings · 41 mi away
My experience
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