Randall County, Texas
27 local notes for Randall County — practical, plain-English, and pointed at the official source to confirm. Panhandle / High Plains.
Money & Taxes
Property Appraisal
Who Appraises Your Property in Randall County
Randall County shares an appraisal district with Potter County, called the Potter-Randall Appraisal District (PRAD), which sets the taxable value of your property.
Homestead Exemption
How to Lower Your Property Tax with a Homestead Exemption
If your home in Randall County is your main residence, you may qualify for a homestead exemption that reduces your taxable property value.
Agricultural Appraisal
Ag Valuation Can Sharply Cut Your Land Tax Bill
Land used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management in Randall County may qualify for a special low appraisal that is based on productivity, not market value.
Home & Property
Groundwater
The Ogallala Aquifer: Where Randall County Gets Its Water
Randall County sits above the Ogallala Aquifer, the main source of water for drinking and farming, and levels have been dropping for decades.
Septic Systems
Rural Homes in Randall County Need a Septic Permit
If your property outside city limits is not connected to a public sewer, you need a permitted on-site sewage facility (OSSF) — commonly called a septic system.
Wildfire Hazard
Wildfire Is a Real Threat in the Texas Panhandle
Dry conditions, strong Panhandle winds, and sparse vegetation make Randall County a high wildfire risk area — especially in late winter and spring.
Flood Hazard
Flash Floods Can Strike Fast in Randall County
Even in a dry region like the Panhandle, intense thunderstorms can cause dangerous flash flooding in draws, canyons, and low-lying areas of Randall County.
Severe Weather
Hail and Severe Storms Are Common in Randall County
The Texas Panhandle sits in one of the most active hail and severe thunderstorm corridors in the U.S., and Randall County homeowners should be prepared.
Mineral Rights
Randall County Has No Significant Oil or Gas Production
Unlike many Texas counties, Randall County has no significant mineral deposits, so oil and gas royalties are not a common consideration for property buyers here.
Cars & Driving
Outdoors
State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: The County's Crown Outdoor Feature
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located just east of Canyon in Randall County, is a massive canyon that offers hiking, camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Hunting Regulations
Deer, Pheasant, and Quail Hunting in Randall County
Randall County sits in Texas Panhandle hunting territory with seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, pheasant, quail, dove, and waterfowl.
Park Hunting
Drawn Hunts Inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park
TPWD offers limited, drawn hunts inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park for exotic species like aoudad sheep and feral hogs.
Wildlife Refuge
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge Near Umbarger
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,664-acre federal refuge about 10 miles west of Canyon that now hosts grassland wildlife, though the lake itself has been dry for decades.
Wildlife
What Wildlife Lives in Palo Duro Canyon?
Palo Duro Canyon's varied habitats support a surprising range of wildlife, including two threatened species found only in this area.
Rules & Licenses
Jurisdiction
City Limits vs. Unincorporated Land in Randall County
Most of Randall County is unincorporated land governed by the county, not a city — which affects zoning, building permits, and what you can do on your property.
Hunting License
What Hunting License Do You Need in Randall County?
Texas hunters need a valid hunting license plus any required endorsements before taking game in Randall County — there is no county-specific license.
Right to Farm
Texas Right-to-Farm Law Protects Ranchers from Nuisance Suits
Texas law protects established farming and ranching operations from nuisance lawsuits, which matters in a heavily agricultural county like Randall.
History & Culture
County Seat
Canyon Is the County Seat of Randall County
Canyon, founded in 1889, is the county seat of Randall County and home to West Texas A&M University and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
County History
How Randall County Was Founded — and How It Got Its Name
Randall County was created in 1876 and named after a Confederate general, with a misspelling of his name that stuck.
Natural Landmark
Palo Duro Canyon: A 800-Foot-Deep Gash in the High Plains
Palo Duro Canyon, carved by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, runs through Randall County and reaches depths of up to 800 feet.
History Museum
The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon
The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon is a state museum focused on the natural and cultural history of the Texas Panhandle.
Higher Education
West Texas A&M University Anchors Canyon's Economy
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon has been a central part of Randall County's economy and community life since it opened in 1910.
Agriculture
Wheat and Cattle Drive Randall County's Farm Economy
Randall County shifted from open-range ranching to mixed farming after 1900, with wheat becoming the top crop and cattle remaining a key part of the economy.
Cultural Event
TEXAS Outdoor Musical Runs Summers in Palo Duro Canyon
A professional outdoor musical drama about Panhandle history runs Tuesday through Sunday each summer at the Pioneer Amphitheater inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
Climate & Geography
Living at 3,500 Feet: Randall County's High Plains Climate
Randall County sits on the Llano Estacado at 3,000 to 3,800 feet above sea level, giving it a semi-arid climate with cold winters, hot summers, and persistent wind.
Indigenous & Exploration History
Coronado May Have Camped in Palo Duro Canyon in 1541
The area that is now Randall County has been inhabited for roughly 10,000 years, and the Spanish expedition led by Coronado likely passed through in 1541.