In the north of the US state of Texas, in the Texas Panhandle region, is the Alibates Flint Quarries quarry area, a US National Monument. It is the only national monument in the state of Texas and is home to the flint site. For thousands of years people came to these hills above the Canadian River for flint. See existingcountries.com to learn more about the state of Texas.
In the times of the Indians, spearheads for hunting and tools were made from the rock. You will find excavation sites and the ruins of an Indian village in the park.
Archaeologists have found many Alibates flint tools at several locations on the Great Plains over the years.
The Alibates flint is very hard and after proper processing it can get sharp edges to use it as a tool.
A high quality and bright colors characterize the Alibates stone from this region. The flint lies just below the surface up to 6 meters deep. The first quarries were dug by hand 1000 years ago. The flint was collected at this point 13,000 years ago.
The area was protected as a National Monument in 1965. The Alibates Flint Quarries Sanctuary was named after cowboy Allen (Alie) Bates, who settled along Alibates Creek in the mid-1800s. But first it was called Alibates Flint Quarries – Texas Panhandle Pueblo Culture National Monument and was then shortened to the current name in 1978.
The Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument can only be visited on guided tours by rangers. Tours must be booked in advance. The Alibates Flint area is served by the National Park Service as part of the adjacent Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
- Iamaccepted: List of colleges and universities in Texas. Covers all 2-year, 4-year, private and public schools within the state of Texas.
Tours of the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument area
The area can be hiked through on guided tours. A grandiose natural landscape with settlements and hunting camps of the Pawnees and Hidatsa opens up to you. The tours through the Alibates Flint area convey the way of life of the Indians. In addition, you will learn how to work the flint.
A tour takes about two hours, includes a 1 mile walk and a short film about the area. Tours of the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monuments area will not be offered during temperatures above 40 degrees and severe weather conditions.
October is Texas Archeology Month, when rangers offer special tours to the Antelope Creek Ruins.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument Visitor Center
The Alibates Visitor Center offers books, films, junior ranger program (offered for the Alibates area and Lake Meredith ), flint demonstrations and a display of exhibits. There are also mini-trails into the nature and history of Alibates Flint Quarries.
Climate and weather in the Alibates Flint Quarries in Texas
The weather in the quarries of Alibate can change quickly. In summer it can get very hot and this can quickly lead to a storm. Winter is generally mild, but snowstorms, sleet and hail can also occur. Tours to the quarries will be canceled in severe weather conditions.
Driving in to Alibates National Monument
About 35 miles north of Amarillo, Texas are the Alibates Flint Quarries. From I-40 in Amarillo, take the Lakeside exit north toward Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. Travel north on TX 136 toward Borger. After approximately 30 miles, turn west off TX 136 onto Cas Johnson Road. You will now find the first Park Service signs. After about 3 miles, take the right at a Y-junction. After about 2 miles you will reach the Alibates Flint National Monument.
From Fritsch, take the TX136 approximately seven miles south and turn right onto Cas Johnson Road.
Entrance Fees & Hours of Operation into Alibates Flint National Monument
The Alibates contact station is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The station may only be closed when the rangers are conducting a tour of Alibates Flint Park.
Tours of the Alibates Flint Quarries are offered year-round and are currently free. The tours do not take place if the temperatures rise above 40 degrees or storms are approaching.
Alibates Quarries National Monument is closed on days such as New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Camping at Alibates Flint National Monument
Camping is available near Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. There are several campsites with a beautiful view of Lake Meredith. All campsites are free of charge, places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Trailer/RV hookups and showers are not available at every campground on Lake Meredith.
The closest campgrounds to Alibates Flint Quarries are at McBride Canyon and Mullinaw Creek.
Activities and sights nearby
Points of interest near the Alibates Flint Quarries in Texas include the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, the Lake Meredith Aquatic and Wildlife Museum at Fritch, the
Hutchinson County Museum at Borger, the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum near Amarillo, and the Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
Address of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the state of Texas
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
Potter County, Texas
USA
//www.nps.gov/alfl
