No Man’s Land, the Oklahoma Panhandle is a region in the southern plains that was left ungoverned by the government for decades, during the late 1800s. The area was known for its contested territory and lawless range. Its terrain was unfriendly to both crops and human habitation. Today, the panhandle is populated, albeit sparsely—between its three counties, the most recent census This shows that fewer than 30,000 people live in the area, which is just 1% the state’s population. Oklahoma City You can also find out more about the following: TulsaBoth are a few hundreds of miles apart.
Matt Kirouac
Matt Kirouac loves to travel and write about national parks, roadtrips, outdoor adventures, and Disney. Born and raised New Hampshire, Matt Kirouac moved to Chicago in order to attend culinary school. He then spent 13 years there as a travel writer before purchasing an RV, and spending two years traveling across the U.S. with his mini-dachshund Finn. He now lives in Oklahoma City with his husband Nathan, and is excited for future travels to Santa Fe, New England, and Paris.
The Compromise of 1860, which saw Texas cede a 5,686-square mile patch of land in the state to the federal government, left the region lawless for a period of time between 1850 and1890. Kansas was initially meant to border Oklahoma. TexasIts entire south border was moved northward to accommodate Cherokee Land. The panhandle was left in the ether, unclaimed by government and only occasionally inhabited by passers-by. In those murky years, cattle roamed freely and buffalo hunting was rampant. Texas cattlemen built squatter settlements without buying land. Outlaws and bootleggers also passed through.
The area was known as “No Man’s Land” and listed as such on maps until 1890 when the 1890 Organic Act incorporated it into Oklahoma Territory. With Cimarron County at its westernmost tip, and the only county in the country bordered by four states, the panhandle may not be lawless anymore, but it’s still shrouded in mystery—and home to unique destinations fit for a kitschy road trip. It’s even more exciting to visit this unusual place.
This is the area of Oklahoma that I have enjoyed exploring most recently. Here are my top 10 favorite things to see and do in the Oklahoma Panhandle. places to visit in the US.
1. No Man’s Land Museum
The No Man’s Land Historical Society was founded in 1930 to preserve the history of this once unchecked area. No Man’s Land Museum. The museum is located in Goodwell and contains a nondescript 10,000 sq. ft. of artifacts and tools that were used by early Native Americans and ranchers who roamed the area. A gallery displays local artworks and traveling exhibitions. Of course, with a name like the No Man’s Land Museum, it’s safe to expect a bit of kitsch—in this case, a taxidermic two-headed cow, molds of dinosaur footprints, the first printing press to cross the Mississippi, an extensive barbed wire collection, and a horse-drawn hearse. After, check out The Stables SteakhouseOne of the few restaurants left in this small town.
2. The Bermuda Triangle of the Plains
The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other Beaver Dunes ParkTravelers will find 520 acres wind-swept dunes, campsites, and a fish-filled lake. Or, if they befall the same fate as Spanish conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, they may just disappear into the sandy abyss. The present-day park has been the scene of unexplained deaths for centuries. The first three Coronado’s men disappeared after they discovered the dunes, in 1541. The conquistador referred to this as “flashes of the green light” and “the devil’s work.” The dunes have been given their macabre name over the centuries due to a number of similar disappearances. For those brave enough, they are a great place to picnic, ride ATVs and dune buggies. If you can survive the green light flashing, then fill up on some sopapillas. Chapala Restaurant Beaver
