We acknowledge and give honor to the Caddo, Cherokee, Comanche, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Tawakoni, and Wichita tribes, who are the traditional land owners and inhabitants of this region.
A family road trip is always a great idea . . . but make it educational! Road trips are the perfect hands-on learning experience to better understand the world around us. And the best place to start is at the beginning with the people who first called this region home — Native Americans.
Here are 15 destinations outside the metroplex where your family can learn more about Native American tribes and their rich and resilient history.
>> RELATED READ :: 8 DFW Museums & Historic Sites to Learn About Indigenous People <<
Road Trips in Texas
These sites are located in counties outside the metroplex.
1. Battle of the Knobs :: Decatur :: Named for its geologic knobs, or hills, this historic site memorializes the lives of Texas soldiers and Native Americans lost during this battle. Look for the plaque marking the spot.
2. Battle of the Neches :: Colfax :: Head eastward to visit the site of the Battle of the Neches. These first two historical markers only require a quick hop out of the car.
3. Big Bear Native American Museum :: Cleburne :: Part of the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, this museum has artifacts as well as contemporary Native American pieces, and it’s only an hour from Dallas.
4. Bosque Museum :: Clifton :: Located two hours away, this little history museum has a large collection of Native American artifacts collected in its own county. See ancient artifacts from a Paleoamerican burial site in the Horn Shelter Exhibit.
>> RELATED READ :: Learn About Native Americans :: A Guide to Resources for All Ages <<
5. Bullock Texas State History Museum :: Austin :: Located near the state capitol, the Texas History Gallery on the first floor is home to artifacts from the Caddo Nation, such as moccasins and pottery.
6. Caddo Mounds State Historic Site :: Alto :: Learn more about the Caddo people here. Just under three hours away in east Texas, this archeological site preserves the remnants of a Caddo Native American village that thrived from around 800 to 1300 A.D. Visitors can explore the walking trails to ancient ceremonial mounds, and learn about the lifestyle and traditions of the Caddo people.
7. Lake Tombigbee Campground :: Livingston :: Have you ever wanted to stay on a Native American reservation? At this campground three and a half hours southeast of Dallas, you can camp on Texas’s oldest reservation belonging to the Alabama-Coushatta tribe. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the lake while staying in a tent, RV, or cabin.
8. Robert S. Reading Arrowhead and Indian Artifact Collection :: Corsicana :: See more artifacts and take guided tours. The museum only asks for donations.
>> RELATED READ :: 7 Events to Celebrate And Observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day in DFW <<
9. Sherman Museum :: Sherman :: Its Texoma Time Traveler exhibit is worth a visit to see up close ancient Native American tools that would have been used for sport, hunting, and everyday life.
10. Tails ‘N’ Trails Museum :: Nocona :: Travel two hours north to this museum to learn about the Taovaya, a band of the Wichita tribe that lived in North Texas in the mid-1700s. Learn their history, see pictures, touch replicas, and admire ancient artifacts in the Native American Hall.
11. Quanah Parker Trail :: Log Cabin :: Follow the roadside arrows as you drive along the expansive Chief Quanah Parker’s trail and the path of his Comanche people, which extends through 52 different counties. Follow the road trip guide along the Texas Plains Trail region, and download the detailed trail map where you will see stars on the map to mark places of historical significance for Chief Quanah and his people.
Road Trips to Oklahoma
Headed north? Dive into the rich history and contemporary lives of Oklahoma’s many Native American nations.
12. Chickasaw Cultural Center :: Sulphur :: Learn about the Chickasaw tribe at this living history center two hours from DFW. The family-friendly exhibits and demonstrations include a daily stomp dance performance and an immersive experience in the Spirit Forest. See artifacts, hear story tellers, and walk the sky bridge in the interactive hands-on village.
13. Choctaw Cultural Center :: Durant :: Located 90 minutes from Dallas, the Choctaw Nation invites families to its living history center. Visit the village, theater, and hands-on exhibits, as well as try Choctaw food at the Champuli Cafe, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
14. First Americans Museum :: Oklahoma City :: Gain an appreciation for the contributions and lives of Oklahoma’s 39 tribes.
15. Sequoyah’s Cabin :: Sallisaw :: Located along the Trail of Tears, this historic home is dedicated to the life of Sequoyah, the recorder of the Cherokee alphabet. Exhibits show his contributions to Native American literacy.
