Dumas
Around Dumas
Photo: Dumasisd · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Texas · 21k people
Dumas
Locals say the Texas Panhandle
Big skies, wide open spaces, and a warm welcome.
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Welcome to the Texas Panhandle, where the sky is big and the pace is easy. Whether you're here for the rodeo, the wheat harvest, or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and wide-open spaces. Pull up a chair at a local diner and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Dumas
No clubs for Dumas yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Dumas. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Dumas. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- XIT Museum Museum in Dalhart dedicated to the historic XIT Ranch.
- Rita Blanca National Grassland Public grassland near Dalhart with hiking and wildlife viewing.
- Moore County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Dumas, a centerpiece of the town square.
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Rita Blanca National Grassland
- Outdoors Fish at Lake Meredith
- With kids Visit the XIT Museum
- With kids Attend a Friday night high school football game
- Evenings Two-step at a local honky-tonk
- Evenings Catch a band at a small-town bar
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Rodeo arenas
Through the year
- XIT Rodeo and Reunion August Annual rodeo and celebration in Dalhart, held in August.
- Moore County Fair August County fair in Dumas with livestock shows and carnival, held in August.
- Dumas Roundup June PRCA rodeo in Dumas, usually in June.
- Sunray Days Summer Community festival in Sunray with parade and food, held in summer.
Semi-arid with big temperature swings, lots of wind, and low humidity. The sun shines most days. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “Norther”
- A strong cold front that sweeps down from the north.
- “Duster”
- A dust storm, common in the spring.
- “Feedlot”
- A cattle feeding operation, a common sight.
- “The Panhandle”
- The Texas Panhandle region itself.
Getaways
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area Boating, fishing, and camping on the lake.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park The Grand Canyon of Texas, with hiking and scenic drives.
- Amarillo Bigger city with dining, shopping, and the Cadillac Ranch.
- Guymon, OK Oklahoma Panhandle town with a historic downtown and events.
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Tech Red Raiders (NCAA), Amarillo Sod Poodles (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- chicken fried steak A Texas staple, especially in small-town diners
- brisket Smoked low and slow, a Panhandle barbecue favorite
- Tex-Mex Enchiladas, tacos, and queso with a local twist
- sopapillas Honey-drizzled fried pastries, a sweet finish
Where people go
- cattle ranches Working ranches that define the landscape
- wheat fields Golden waves stretching to the horizon
- feedlots A hub of the beef industry
- small-town diners Gathering spots for coffee and conversation
- the high plains The vast, flat expanse of the Llano Estacado
- wind turbines Modern additions to the historic landscape
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its cowboy and ranching heritage, rooted in the legendary XIT Ranch, and of the hardworking, diverse communities that have grown around cattle, wheat, and now wind energy. Locals also take pride in their small-town friendliness and the unique blend of Texan and Mexican cultures.
This time of year in Dumas
- Fall harvest Fall Wheat and other crops are harvested, and grain elevators bustle with activity.
Say it like a local: “Young'un” — A friendly term for a young person.
Festivals
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration May Cactus hosts a community celebration with music, food, and dancing.
- Mexican Independence Day September September 16th is celebrated with parades and events in Cactus and Dumas.
- Dumas Christmas Parade December A small-town holiday parade with floats and Santa.
- Sunray Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in the park during summer evenings.
Landmarks with a story
- Dalhart Union Depot A restored railroad station that served the Santa Fe line, now a museum.
- Hartley County Courthouse A classic courthouse in Channing, the county seat, built in the early 1900s.
- Dumas Downtown Historic District A few blocks of early 20th-century commercial buildings.
- XIT Ranch Headquarters Remnants of the famous XIT Ranch, which once covered much of the Panhandle.
Food traditions
- Tamales at Christmas Hispanic families make tamales together during the holidays, a tradition brought from Mexico.
- Menudo on weekends A spicy tripe soup often enjoyed on Saturday mornings, believed to cure hangovers.
- Carne asada cookouts Grilled beef, often from local feedlots, is a staple at family gatherings.
- Pan dulce from local bakeries Sweet breads like conchas and empanadas are bought fresh for breakfast.
- Cowboy coffee Strong, black coffee brewed over an open fire, a ranch tradition.
Music and arts
- Country music Local bars and honky-tonks feature live country bands on weekends.
- Tejano music In Cactus and Dumas, Tejano and norteño bands play at dances and festivals.
A little history
- 1880s The XIT Ranch was established in the 1880s, covering over 3 million acres, with its headquarters near Dalhart.
- 1901 The Santa Fe Railroad arrived in Dalhart in 1901, spurring growth and making it a shipping point for cattle and grain.
- 1930s The Dust Bowl of the 1930s devastated the region, leading to soil conservation efforts and changes in farming.
- 1960s The meatpacking industry expanded in the 1960s, with a major plant opening in Cactus and attracting a large Hispanic workforce.
- 2000s Wind energy development began in the early 2000s, transforming the landscape with turbines.
Rivalries
- Dumas Demons vs. Dalhart Wolves Fierce high school football rivalry that splits the county.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Six-man football
- Outdoors Hunting
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Meredith
- With kids Visit the local swimming pool
- With kids Attend the county fair
Locals speak with a Texas Panhandle drawl, dropping 'g' from -ing words, and use classic cowboy idioms. Spanish is common, especially in Cactus, with phrases like 'órale' and 'qué pasó' mixing into daily speech.
Only here
- The world's largest cattle feeding operation is near Cactus, with thousands of head in feedlots.
- Dalhart claims to be the 'Cowboy Capital' of the Texas Panhandle, honoring the XIT Ranch heritage.
- The wind turbines are so numerous that on clear days you can see hundreds from a single hill.
- Cactus is a small town with a huge meatpacking plant, giving it a unique multicultural vibe.
New here? A few tips
- Expect strong winds year-round; a windbreaker is essential.
- Distances between towns are long—always keep your gas tank at least half full.
- A pickup truck is the unofficial vehicle of choice, but any car works.
- Learn a few basic Spanish phrases; they'll be appreciated in Cactus and Dumas.
- Summer heat can be intense, and winter brings cold snaps and occasional snow.
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Nearby
Every areaDalhartTexasEndless skies, honest earth.BorgerTexasWhere the plains meet the skyAmarilloTexasBig skies, big steaks, and a whole lot of Texas.PampaTexasEndless skies, friendly hearts.GuymonOklahomaBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the Panhandle.PerrytonTexasSmall towns, wide horizons.HerefordTexasFlat skies, hearty beef, and wide-open Texas.LiberalKansasHeart of the Golden Plains
Dumas, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.