Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands

The Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands are both managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The grasslands were established in 1960 and can be found in both Texas and in Oklahoma but more specifically in Hemphill County, Texas, as well as in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. 

The closest major city to the protected grassland is Cheyenne in Oklahoma, but there are several other metropolis and public areas close-by including Reydon, Durham, and Strong City which are also in Oklahoma as well as Canadian and Pampa in Texas. To access the grassland resources, you can use several different roads including US 283, OK 30, OK 33, OK 47, and FM 24. 

The grasslands cover a total area of about 33,000 acres of land with the more significant portion of the entire area being Black Kettle National Grassland at 32,000 acres. McClellan Creek National Grassland covers about 1,000 acres in size. Generally, the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands are located in a mixed-grass prairie area. 

The grassland is mainly made up of approximately 100 pieces of land interspaced with privately owned ranch land. The terrain in the area is mostly made up of sandy, and red slate hills, as well as the grassland terrain and Oak brush. There are several wildlife species in the grassland including turkey, quail, and white-tailed deer. Plant species in the grassland include Elm, Cottonwood, and Hackberry. 

Besides the rich biota in the grassland, there are several other activities that visitors to Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands can get to enjoy including boating, fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, bird watching, and horseback riding. Amenities in the grassland include picnic areas, five campgrounds, dispersed camping, boat ramps, dock, and several trails. 

Dogs are allowed into the grasslands as long as the dog owners maintain immediate control of their pets at all times. In all cases, dog owners are expected to keep their pets leashed and ensure that their dogs do not wander off into areas of the grassland that are prohibited to dogs and other pets.