Welcome to The Dirt. In every issue, our anonymous writer will give you the dirt on your burning questions about the Amarillo area. Got something you’re just dying to know? Drop us a line at info@brickandelm.com, and our intrepid writer will dig up the answer.
Can you swim in the lakes in the Amarillo parks? (Or boat or use kayaks or paddleboards?)
Short answer: No. Unfortunately, there’s no swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding or other activities related to getting wet in bodies of water on city property. Why? Because Amarillo’s city lakes are connected to its storm and flood management systems and may occasionally combine storm runoff with spills or industrial drainage. Too much yuck, in other words. Safe for fish to swim in, but not for people.
Some better news: Amarillo’s lakes have plenty of trout and catfish thanks to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. While anybody 17 years old and older needs a license, McDonald Lake, Thompson Park Lake, John Ward Memorial Park Lake, Southwest Park Lake and Martin Road Lake are all stocked and fishable this summer for residents.
If you absolutely must do some sailing in city water, may we recommend the cardboard boat races that happen in the city pools courtesy of Parks and Rec? The city occasionally offers kayak classes in the pools, too, after which you can paddle to your heart’s content on the Canadian River or at regional lakes like Meredith, Mackenzie, McClellan or Greenbelt.
Amarillo has a race track? How come I’ve never heard about it?
We actually have three! Route 66 Motor Speedway, 4101 Texas State Highway Loop 335, is a 3/8-mile clay oval track that hosts IMCA Modified, Super Stock and Street Car racing every Saturday from April through September. Its races are sanctioned by the United States Racing Association, admission is free for kids younger than 6, and there are concessions, too.
Amarillo Dragway, 12955 Burlington Road, is a 1/4-mile track that has operated since 1960, promoting itself as the “heart of high-octane racing in the Texas Panhandle” through the National Hot Rod Association. The Dragway hosts food trucks, car shows, community events and major races throughout the warmer months of the year. Weather permitting, you can visit just about every other weekend between June and August (after a few spring events) to see some serious speed.
The Amarillo Silver Dollar Speedway, 205 SE 58th Ave., used to be called the Amarillo Tri-State Speedway, and offers a 260-meter dirt oval track for go-kart racing. It hosts events nearly every Friday through August. In 2026, visitors can enjoy a new Makers Market on site.
As for why you might not have heard about any of them, that’s a question outside this Dirt Talker’s expertise. Maybe it’s your algorithm? Amarillo’s race tracks all have Facebook pages. Multiple motorsports community groups around town (also on Facebook) would surely love to have you.
