McClellan Creek National Grassland, Protected grassland in Gray County, Texas, US.
McClellan Creek National Grassland is a federally protected grassland in Gray County, in the northern Texas Panhandle, covering open plains with native grasses and a central reservoir. The terrain is mostly flat with gently rolling sections, and the land provides habitat for a range of wildlife species.
In the 1930s, the US government bought the land from private farmers whose fields had been badly damaged by drought and the soil erosion of the Dust Bowl. The area was then replanted and managed as public grassland to restore the soil.
The grassland sits in the heart of the Texas Panhandle and gives visitors a sense of what the open prairie looked like before farming took over. Walking through the area, you can see native grasses, flat open land, and wildlife that belong to this part of the Great Plains.
The area has campgrounds with electrical hookups, showers, and waste stations, and visitors can also hike, fish, and ride ATVs. Because the land is very open, it is worth checking the weather before you go, as wind and storms can move in quickly on the plains.
A large fire in 2006 burned through a sizable portion of the grassland along the highway and permanently changed the mix of plants growing there. Fires like this are actually a natural part of grassland life, clearing old growth and making room for new plants to take hold.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
