Once buffalo grazed the shortgrass prairies you see today at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in the Texas Panhandle. Once a lake reflected the clouds. The buffalo have vanished. The lake has dried. But the shortgrass prairie remains as one of the best in the high plains grassland ecosystem. In fact, this prairie is so important that 175 acres of it carries the designation of National Natural Landmark. Over 4,000 acres of grasslands are the best you'll see anywhere in the area. Most everywhere else, these native grasslands fell to the plow and with them their wildlife. Here, you'll still see black-tailed prairie dogs perched on mounds and burrowing owls blink in broad daylight. The shortgrass prairies spill into marshes, woodlands, riparian habitat, croplands, and water-carved canyon walls that together form 7,664 acres of homes for migratory and year-round wildlife.

Refuge headquarters may be reached from the east and west by U.S. 60 and from the north and south by Interstate 27 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, Texas and 20 miles east of Hereford, Texas on U.S. 60, approximately 30 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas.