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McClellan Creek National Grassland

Nature & parks
Near Amarillo, Texas
1.9 mi from Route 66

Set in southern Gray County, TX, McClellan Creek National Grassland covers a small patch of federal land set around McClellan Lake, a reservoir on McClellan Creek. The land was bought to heal badly eroded ground and let it return to a natural state. In 2006 a massive wildfire burned the whole area. It is a quiet, open-country break from the highway, with restrooms and parking on site.

What is McClellan Creek National Grassland?

At just 1,449 acres, this is one of the smaller units in the national grassland system. The U.S. Forest Service manages it jointly with Cibola National Forest and the Kiowa, Rita Blanca and Black Kettle National Grasslands, with a shared headquarters in Albuquerque. Day-to-day, it falls under a ranger district that pairs it with Black Kettle, with offices in Cheyenne, Oklahoma.

History of McClellan Creek National Grassland

The grassland began as a conservation project: badly worn land was purchased so it could be restored. In February 2006 the Interstate 40 fire swept across about 750,000 acres of the region and burned the entire grassland. Most of the trees were lost, so the landscape today reflects recovery from that fire.

Visiting McClellan Creek National Grassland: tips

Plan on an hour or so for a walk and a look at the lake. The site is listed as having restrooms, parking and wheelchair access. Bring water and sun protection, since shade is limited after the fire. The Leaning Tower of Britten is about 12 miles away if you want a roadside photo stop on the way back to the highway.

Practical info

Address: Texas
Phone: +1 580-497-2143
Website: fs.usda.gov/detail/cibola/home
Hours: We have no opening hours for this stop yet — check the official site.
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

On the map

Full map

McClellan Creek National Grassland with the 6 closest stops. Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near McClellan Creek National Grassland

All of Texas

Leaning Tower of Britten

Groom, Texas · 0.1 mi from Route 66

A water tower tilted on purpose beside the highway in Groom, and a favorite of Route 66 photo books.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

11.9 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

Devils Rope Barbed Wire Museum

McLean, Texas · on Route 66

A McLean museum all about barbed wire, ranching and the Texas stretch of Route 66, set in an old bra factory.

MuseumPhoto credit

15.5 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

U-Drop Inn

Shamrock, Texas · on Route 66

Shamrock's Art Deco gas station and cafe, with twin flared towers, glazed tile walls and neon trim.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

35.2 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

Route 66 Bridge over the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad

Shamrock, Texas · on Route 66

A 1932 steel-and-concrete Route 66 bridge near Shamrock that still carries traffic over an old rail line.

Historic bridgePhoto credit

43.2 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

Texas Air & Space Museum

Amarillo, Texas · 1.3 mi from Route 66

An aviation museum by Amarillo's airport, with civilian and military aircraft and space artifacts.

MuseumPhoto credit

46.8 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

Magnolia Service Station

Texola, Oklahoma · on Route 66

A little house-style gas station in Texola, one of the last stops in Oklahoma for westbound drivers.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

49.6 mi from McClellan Creek National Grassland

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