National Park Service · Texas
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
The only national monument in Texas, where the colorful Alibates flint that Native peoples quarried for 13,000 years can be seen only on a ranger-guided, reservation-required hike above Lake Meredith.
Field briefing
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument changes fast with season and elevation.
Before you go
Alibates is the only national monument in Texas, and its planning hook is simple: you cannot just walk up to the quarries.
The colorful Alibates flint, quarried and traded for 13,000 years, can be seen only on a ranger-guided hike that requires a reservation, made by phone ahead of your visit. Tours typically leave the visitor center in the morning and cover a strenuous 2-mile round trip with about 170 feet of climb to the mesa-top quarry pits. There is no fee for entry or the tour, but tours cancel in inclement weather, so bring sturdy boots, sun protection, and water, and confirm your reservation before driving out.
- Best window
- April to June and September to October, when Panhandle temperatures suit the strenuous quarry hike
- Signature routes
- Ranger-guided quarry hike, The Alibates flint
- Pack focus
- Water, route logistics, weather checks
Alibates Flint Quarries in photos
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Mild but windy, highs in the 60s and 70s, with rapidly changing conditions on the open mesa.
Pack Wind layer, sturdy boots, sun protection, and water for the exposed 2-mile hike.
Summer
Hot, highs in the 90s and above, with intense sun and almost no shade on the trail.
Pack An early reserved tour, a hat, and ample water; tours cancel in dangerous heat.
Fall
Warm easing to mild and often the most comfortable hiking weather of the year.
Pack Layers for cool mornings, sun protection, and good footing for the rocky climb.
Winter
Cold and windy, highs in the 40s and 50s, with tours subject to cancellation in inclement weather.
Pack Warm wind-resistant layers and a backup plan, since cold snaps cancel the hike.
Top things to do
Ranger-guided quarry hike
The only way to see the quarries: a guided 2-mile round-trip hike to the mesa top, about 170 feet of climb, covering geology, archaeology, and 13,000 years of use. Reservations required.
The Alibates flint
Bands of rainbow-colored agatized dolomite that knapped into superb tools and was traded across the continent. You see the ancient quarry pits in place on the tour.
Alibates Visitor Center
Museum exhibits, the park film, and the bookstore where the guided hikes begin, the required starting point for any visit to the quarries.
Lake Meredith overlooks
Big canyon-and-reservoir views over the surrounding Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, of which the quarries are an enclave.
Make Ranger-guided quarry hike the timed anchor
Put the timed or highest-demand stop first, then keep the rest of the day close and low-friction. For one day in Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, time Ranger-guided quarry hike first, then keep The Alibates flint and Alibates Visitor Center close enough that the visit still feels relaxed.
- 1Start with Ranger-guided quarry hike: The only way to see the quarries: a guided 2-mile round-trip hike to the mesa top, about 170 feet of climb, covering geology, archaeology, and 13,000 years of use..
- 2Add The Alibates flint: Bands of rainbow-colored agatized dolomite that knapped into superb tools and was traded across the continent. You see the ancient quarry pits in place on the tour.
- 3Use Alibates Visitor Center as the slower finish before leaving the area.
Plan your trip
Turn Alibates Flint Quarries's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Insulated jacket, Traction devices for ice
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
Gear for Alibates Flint Quarries
The buying guides that match what Alibates Flint Quarries asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
There is no lodging or developed campground inside Alibates itself; it is a guided-access enclave within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. The closest beds are in Fritch and Borger nearby, with the full range of hotels in Amarillo about 45 minutes south. Campers have abundant nearby options in the surrounding Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, which allows camping at designated areas around the reservoir, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park to the south offers developed reservable sites within about 90 minutes.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Nearest airport
- Amarillo (AMA) about 45 minutes
- Access rhythm
- Reserve before arrival
- Region
- Texas
Arrival note
Alibates Flint Quarries sits north of Amarillo on the south shore of Lake Meredith, off State Highway 136 between Fritch and Borger.
Shuttle access
From Amarillo, take Highway 136 north and follow signs to the Alibates Visitor Center, where all guided hikes begin.
Local movement
Because the quarries are accessible only on a reservation-required ranger tour, call 806-886-3826 ahead of time to book; do not plan to arrive and hike on your own.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to visit Alibates Flint Quarries?
To see the quarries, yes. The quarry pits can be reached only on a ranger-guided hike that requires a reservation, made by phone at 806-886-3826. You can visit the visitor center and museum without a reservation, but not the quarries themselves.
Is there a fee at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument?
No. There is no entrance fee and no charge for the guided tour. The only requirement is a reservation for the ranger-led hike to the quarries.
How hard is the Alibates quarry hike?
It is a strenuous 2-mile round trip with about 170 feet of climb to the mesa top, and it takes roughly two hours. The trail is exposed with little shade, and it is not suitable for those with limited mobility or health concerns. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water.
What is Alibates flint?
Alibates flint is a colorful, banded agatized dolomite that fractured into excellent tools and projectile points. Native peoples quarried it here for some 13,000 years and traded it across much of the continent, which is why the quarries are preserved as a national monument.