Public Tour

Castle on the Prairie
Timing: 1 hour, Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Cost: Adults $5, seniors, veterans, teachers, and first responders $3, children $2, ages 5 and under free

Come hear the stories of one of the legends of the Texas Panhandle!  Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight were among the first settlers of the Panhandle and established the first ranch as well as saving the Southern Plains Bison herd from extinction.  During the tour of their historic home, built in 1887, you will hear stories of their lives and the many contributions they made not only to the Panhandle but to the entire state of Texas.

School Tour

Home on the Range
Grades: K-12
Capacity: 5- 50 students
Timing: 2 hours, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon
Cost: $1 per student with 1 free chaperone for every 10 students

During a visit to Goodnight Ranch, students will travel almost 150 years back in time to discover how pioneers survived and thrived on the Great Plains of Texas. They’ll learn about the innovations and entrepreneurial spirit of Charles Goodnight, a true Texas cowboy, and about the lasting impacts that he and wife Mary Ann had on the panhandle and on the state. 

Adult Group Tour

Pioneers of the Prairie
Capacity: 10-50 people
Timing: 1 hour, Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Cost: Adults: $3

On a tour of Goodnight Ranch, visitors will peer into pioneer prairie life in the late 1800s, learning about the Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, their efforts to encourage settlement in the Texas Panhandle, and their conservation efforts with the Southern Plains Bison. While touring the Goodnights' historic home, groups will hear stories of life during the early days of the Texas Panhandle and discover how they helped shape this community, the ranching industry, and the state of Texas. 

Tour Reservations

School and group tour reservations should be made four weeks in advance by calling 806-670-5627, emailing goodnightranch@thc.texas.gov, or completing this tour request form.

If your group is looking for a specialized tour experience, contact the site directly to inquire about customizing your tour.

Accessibility  

There is accessible entry into the ground floor of the Goodnight house. The pathways are decomposed granite and asphalt. The visitor center has accessible parking and pathways into the building. Please note that while the visitor center, grounds, and first floor of the home are accessible, there is not an elevator to the second floor of the house.

Museum Store 

Visit the museum gift shop in the J. Evetts Haley Visitor and Education Center for unique items curated for the Goodnight Ranch. The Visitor Center also offers exhibits about the Goodnights, bison, and the settlement of the area. A Quanah Parker Trail giant arrow marker on the grounds commemorates the friendship between Charles Goodnight and Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. 

Nearby Attractions 

While you're in the area, visit these nearby sites: 

For additional travel and history information, see the following resources: