Explore Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock Texas, is the county seat of Lubbock County and was named for Texas Ranger Thomas Saltus Lubbock. The city was established in 1876 and merged with the nearby town of Monterey in 1890. However, it was in 1909 that Lubbock was officially incorporated. The city's population increased steadily every year following the arrival of the area's first railroad.

Today, Lubbock boasts a population of around 257,000, making it a major Texas city. It's considered the regional hub for education and healthcare industries and is the home of Texas Tech University, the state's sixth-largest college. With such a large population, visitors to Lubbock don't have to look far for excellent shopping and dining options. Some of the most popular restaurants in the city include Cast Iron Grill, Orlando's Italian Restaurant, and Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant. Lubbock is also home to The South Plains Fair and The National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration annual celebration.

While in Lubbock, head to the Silent Wings Museum, a museum that memorializes World War II glider pilots. If you're a music lover, you must check out the Buddy Holly Center to learn more about this famous musician's life. Plan time to check out the American Wind Power Center, a museum dedicated to windmills and the largest one of its kind worldwide. For those who come to Lubbock for outdoor adventures, stop by Mackenzie Park and hit the hiking trails or play a game of disc golf. The park is an excellent location to view the area's more famous residents—its prairie dogs.

Campgrounds Near Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock RV Park has 88 generously sized sites to fit most RVs. Campers love this park because it has shaded campsites, a children's playground, and a heated swimming pool. Daily rates for these back-in and pull-through sites start at $40 and include 30/50 amp electricity and full hookups. Wi-Fi is available, and pets are welcome. 

If you're planning to spend time at the Buddy Holly Center or the Lubbock Lake Landmark, staying at the Lubbock KOA will keep you close to the action. This park is open year-round and has 89 sites that accommodate RVs up to 63 feet long. Back-in and pull-through sites are available, and each site has full hookups and 30/50 electrical services. You'll also have access to a pool and a hot tub at this KOA. 

Whether you're planning a day at Lubbock's Joyland Amusement Park or heading to the Panhandle South Plains Fairgrounds, when you stay at the Almost There RV Park, you're never far from the hottest attractions. This RV park is located off U.S. 87 and has many spacious sites with full hookups. People love this RV park for its low $30 daily rates and video surveillance. 

National Parks Near Lubbock, Texas

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is just over three hours away from Lubbock. Millions of people visit Carlsbad Caverns each year to explore its famous limestone cavern comprising 119 caves. While you're at the park, make time to sign up for the park's bat flight program. The bat flight program is a unique opportunity to glimpse the marvelous sight of as many 500,000 bats emerging from the cavern at sunset. During migration season, there can be as many as a million bats in the park's caves. 

The second-closest national park to Lubbock, about 230 miles away, is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Salt Flat, Texas. People visit this park to explore some of Texas's highest peaks, including Guadalupe Mountain. This mountain is the state's highest point at 8,749 feet tall. This national park is inside the state's largest wilderness area and has 13 hiking trails perfect for day hiking, horseback riding, and backpacking. While at the park, stop by the Frijole Ranch museum to learn more about the area's ranching history.

Six hours south of Lubbock, you'll find Big Bend National Park. The park is located along the Rio Grande River and has some of the most diverse landscapes in the state. You can canoe or kayak down the Rio Grande, check out the thermal hot springs, and spend your days hiking mountain trails. Remember to make time for stargazing! Big Bend National Park is also home to the 7,832-foot Emory Peak, part of the Chisos Mountains.

State Parks Near Lubbock, Texas

Caprock Canyons State Park is 95 miles northeast of Lubbock. The park's proximity to Route 66 makes it a popular stopping point for RVers traveling west. If you're interested in hiking the park's scenic trails through canyons, along high cliffs, and along rock formations, plan to spend a few days at Caprock Canyons. You'll want plenty of time to explore this park's 90 miles of trails. The park is also home to Lake Theo, a popular place to swim or boat.

Ninety minutes north of Lubbock is Palo Dura Canyon State Park, home to the second-largest canyon in the United States. You can hike the canyon or access its various viewpoints by taking a scenic drive through the park. This state park has some of the darkest nighttime skies in Texas, making it the perfect spot to get out your telescope and stargaze. After exploring the park, check out the nearby Texas Outdoor Musical Show and enjoy a chuck wagon dinner.

Copper Breaks State Park is 157 miles northeast of Lubbock and one of Texas's only four state parks where you can see the state's famous longhorns. Visitors to this park get an up-close-and-personal view of the majestic longhorns and enjoy numerous outdoor recreational activities, such as horseback riding, biking, and hiking. The park also has a 60-acre lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. Bring your own kayak or canoe if you plan to participate in paddle activities because the park doesn't offer a watercraft rental program.

National Sites Near Lubbock, Texas

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument was once the site where mammoth hunters would source flint to create the tools they needed for their hunt. The flint at this quarry is over 13,000 years old! A visit to Alibates Flint Quarries gives you an eye-opening history lesson about the prehistoric peoples of the High Plains and their culture, how they survived, and their contribution to the Texas panhandle's past. The park offers ranger-led hikes to the sites where the mammoth hunters found their flint.

The Washita Battlefield National Historic Site played a role in America's westward expansion, specifically in the frequent conflicts between Native Americans and settlers. The battle at Washita occurred due to the Removal Act of 1830, which resulted in Native Americans east of the Mississippi River being given land west of the Mississippi as part of a land exchange program. During this time, western Native American tribes were upset with eastern tribes sharing their diminishing land space. In response to the growing conflicts between tribes, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his 7th U.S. Calvary commenced a surprise attack on the Cheyenne on November 27, 1868. Today, the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site exists to give visitors more information about this tumultuous time in history. This historic site is 256 miles northeast of Lubbock in Oklahoma via I-40 E.

Another interesting place to visit is the Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark, a Texas Tech University museum. It is an archaeological site with prehistoric artifacts dating back over 12,000 years and life-sized bronzed statutes of the area's animals. The landmark also has several hiking trails, so you can take a break from driving and stretch your legs.

National Forests Near Lubbock, Texas

Lincoln National Forest is 231 miles west of Lubbock in southern New Mexico, not far from the Mexican border. A trip through this national forest is surreal, with its green forests and endless desert landscape. Visitors to the forest enjoy various outdoor activities, such as mountain biking along the rocky paths deep into the wilderness or skiing with locals at the Ski Apache area during the winter. The forest is also just around the corner from White Sands National Park.

Angelina National Forest is located in east Texas and boasts 153,179 acres. The forest contains a 114,500-acre lake that was formed in the early 1960s when the Sam Rayburn Dam was constructed. The gently rolling terrain is pleasant to hike all year long, although most outdoor enthusiasts prefer visiting the national forest in the winter when temperatures are mild and less humid. The Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a popular attraction in the park for boating, water skiing, and fishing.

Sabine National Forest also lies in east Texas. The forest is slightly larger than Angelina National Forest, with 160,656 acres to explore. It ends near the border of Louisiana. Visitors to this national forest area are treated to scenic shorelines along the Toledo Bend Reservoir, which offers some of the best fishing in the area. It's considered a bass fishing lake, and there are several fishing tournaments held on the lake each year. Plenty of camping spots are available in the forest, so you can set up your RV and spend as much time as you want exploring the hiking trails, lakes, and wildlife.