Fine Fresh Air

Lubbock's best parks, lakes, and trails for when you're feeling outdoorsy

Soak in the views at Caprock Canyons State Park.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

You may know Lubbock as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly and home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but there's an au naturale side to Hub City that's just waiting to be explored.

From peaceful wildflower trails to stunning lakes and more, here's where to get out and about in Lubbock:

Lubbock Lake Landmark
This is true West Texas scenery at its most beautiful. Set off on 4.5 miles of trails, including the landmark's newest addition, the half-mile-long Llano Estacado Wildflower Trail.

Travel back 12,000 years on the Archeological Trail, which exhibits a virtually complete cultural sequence from the Clovis Period to Historic times and is maintained — and still excavated — by Texas Tech.

Time your hike for the evening and enjoy a colorful sunset, or join the Landmark After Dark Night Hike once a month to explore at night with a group.

Don't be surprised if you spot bison at Caprock Canyons State Park.Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

Caprock Canyons State Park
Less than two hours from Lubbock is this State Park, where bison roam the plains, bats roost in Clarity Tunnel, and you can explore 90 miles of trails.

Hike, bike, or even ride your horse through the 11 trails, which range in intensity and distance. Interesting stops abound along the way, including Fern Cave, Folsom Historical Site, Honey Flat Prairie Dog Town, and more.

When it's time to cool off, enjoy swimming, fishing, and no-wake boating in Lake Theo.

Buffalo Springs Lake
Billed as "Lubbock's most celebrated destination for lazy days, new adventures, and sensational sunsets," the lake offers fishing, boating, tent and RV campsites, nature paths, riding trails, and beaches.

Since 1982, the Llano Estacado Audubon Society’s Buffalo Springs Lake nature trails have provided 55 acres of magnificent natural elegance.

Mackenzie Park
Equipped with equestrian trails, a disc golf course, and Lubbock’s famous Prairie Dog Town, Mackenzie Park spans over 248 acres. Bring a blanket to lounge in the grass, grab veggies and feed the prairie dogs, or lace up your sneakers to enjoy the walking trails. Bonus: Mackenzie Park is animal-friendly and free to explore.

SUPLBK
Lubbock’s locally owned and only stand-up paddleboarding company is the perfect excuse to get on the water. SUPLBK is on Dunbar Historical Lake, one of Lubbock’s oldest bodies of water. Rent a stand-up paddleboard, one or two-person kayak, or an eight-person armada. A first-timer and family-friendly environment, bring your kids and pets along for an outing on calm waters.

To find more information on all that Lubbock has to offer, head over to VisitLubbock.org.

vacations nature parks video promoted

Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in West Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Houston fashionistas who are fans of the designer can hop a flight (or drive eight hours) to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas