Driving Directions

Refuge headquarters may be reached from U.S. 60 (east and west) and from Interstate 27 (north and south) to U.S. 60. The entrance road is located 1.5 miles south of Umbarger, Texas on F.M. 168. Umbarger is 10 miles west of Canyon and 20 miles east of Hereford on U.S. 60, approximately 30 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas. The coordinates for navigation are  34.919517, -102.111118. 

The Buffalo Lake NWR website recommends Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail.

The Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail begins and ends at the parking area below the Overlook. This trail is located along the old lake bed with cottonwood, elm, and osage orange trees lining most of the trail. The upper portion of the trail is more rugged and uneven surfaces may be present. The trail is 0.5 miles long and is considered a moderately difficult trail. The trail is open year-round and has a grass and dirt surface. There is no information about whether the trail is wheelchair accessible. 

Information about the trail may be found here: Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail

What is the PHP 039??

The (PHP 039) in the name of this hotspot stands for a program called the Great Texas Wildlife Trails of the Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Buffalo Lake NWR is site No. 39 on the Panhandle Plains (PHP) Wildlife Tour.

Information about this regional auto tour suggestions may be found here: Great Texas Wildlife Tour Panhandle Plains Wildlife Tour region

The Buffalo Lake NWR is on the Canyon Loop in the PHP regions. Information about the Canyon Loop may be found here: Canyon Loop tour 

About Buffalo Lake NWR

Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge was first purchased in 1937 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in order to develop the Tierra Blanca Water Conservation Project. The USDA purchased the lands as a water supply and to provide recreation for the region. 
 
In 1938, Umbarger Dam was built and with it came the creation of Buffalo Lake. The Lake got its water supply from Tierra Blanca Creek, which was supplied by runoff from rain and natural springs. Utilized by significant numbers of waterfowl and other migratory birds on the Central Flyway, the arid landscape became even more valuable with the creation of the lake. In 1958, the project was transferred to the Department of Interior and one year later became the Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Managed for the benefit of wildlife, the refuge had an establishment purpose of providing quality habitat for birds wintering at Buffalo Lake Refuge. 
 
In the 1970s, Tierra Blanca Creek and the natural springs that fed into it dried up due to over consumption for agriculture and urban uses. Today, Buffalo Lake is typically dry and only receives water during major storms that flood Tierra Blanca Creek. 
 
Though its namesake lake is dry, the 7,664-acre refuge encompasses a variety of habitats important to many species of wildlife, including short grass prairie, riparian , and woodland habitats. Visitors can enjoy wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife watching and photography, environmental interpretation and education, and hiking. 
 
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters that have been set aside for the benefit of wildlife and you! 

Although the lake is dry, visitors can enjoy many wildlife-dependent activities such as wildlife watching and photography, environmental interpretation and education, hiking, camping and picnicking.

• Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (806) 499-3382 
• 3 Miles South Of Umbarger On FM 168
• Umbarger, TX 79091

• Refuge, Trails, Auto Tour Road

Hours 

• Daily from April 1 - September 30    8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Daily from October 1 - March 31   8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Headquarters Office   Closed to the public

Activities

Buffalo Lake offers a variety of activities to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy many wildlife-dependent activities such as hiking, wildlife observation and photography, and camping and picnicking. 

Fees

Entrance fees are $2 per vehicle.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at the campground. 

Points of Interest

Visitors may drive along the auto tour road to enjoy the different habitats of the refuge and see wildlife along the way. Hiking on the trails can get you closer to nature. The campground has picnic tables to enjoy. 

What To Do If you have 15 minutes. 

• Take a brisk walk on the Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail 

• Enjoy the Overlook 

• Walk the Prairie Dog Trail and look for prairie dogs 

If you have one hour. 

• Walk the Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail 

• Walk the Grassland Loop 

• Enjoy the Auto tour loop 

• Have a picnic 

If you have half a day or more. 

• Camp and picnic 

• Walk the trails 

  • Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail 

  • Cottonwood Hiking Trail 

  • Grassland Loop 

  • Prairie Dog Trail 

• Auto tour Loop 

Know Before You Go

• Bring enough water to enjoy your day. 

• Closed-toed shoes are recommended for the trails. 

• Sunscreen and bug spray may make your visit more enjoyable. 

• Binoculars and other wildlife viewing items will be helpful to observe some wildlife. 

Visitor Tips

Wildlife is most likely to be seen in the morning and evening hours when temperatures are cooler. 

ADA Accessible Trails: The 0.25 mile Prairie Dog Town and the 1.25 mile Cottonwood Hiking trails are ADA compliant according to the refuge website. 

The following information is from the Buffalo Lake NWR website:

Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail 

• Open Season: Open year-round 
• Length: 1 mile 
• Location of trail: Below the Overlook to the north 
• Surface: Natural substrate of grass and dirt  
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Information: The Cottonwood Canyon Birding Trail begins and ends at the parking area below the Overlook. This trail is located along the old lakebed with cottonwood, elm, and osage orange trees lining most of the trail. The upper portion of the trail is more rugged and uneven surfaces may be present. 

Cottonwood Hiking Trail 

• Open Season: Open year-round 
• Length: 1.25 miles 
• Location of trail: Below the Overlook to the south 
• Surface: Natural substrate ADA compliant  
• Difficulty: Moderate 
• Information: The Cottonwood Hiking Trail begins and ends at the parking area below the Overlook. This trail can either be an out and back or it connects with the Grassland Loop. This trail runs along the old lakebed with cottonwood and elm trees lining the majority of the trail.  

Grassland Loop 

• Open Season: Open year-round 
• Length: 2 miles 
• Location of trail: The Overlook 
• Surface: Natural substrate consisting of dirt, caliche, and grass with uneven surfaces present. 
• Difficulty: Challenging    
• Information: The Grassland Loop begins and ends at the Overlook. This winding trail leads visitors through mixed grass prairie along the caprock before connecting to the Cottonwood Hiking Trail. 

Prairie Dog Trail  

• Open Season: Open year-round 
• Length: 0.25 miles 
• Location of trail: F.M. 168 at the Prairie Dog Town parking area 
• Surface: Crushed caliche, ADA compliant  
• Difficulty: Easy 
• Information: Walk along the edge of a black-tailed prairie dog town through the High Plains National Natural Landmark . 

The following information is from the AllTrails.com website: Buffalo Lake NWR Trails from AllTrails