Why Stop In Wilbarger County???

Ever since the days of the Great Western Trail Drive, Vernon, the county seat of Wilbarger County, has been the place to stop and refresh yourself along the way. Today, Vernon is still the perfect place to stop for a taste of history and friendly conversation with authentic Texans.
Located at the intersection of U.S. 287 and U.S. 183/283, Wilbarger County is the hub of North Central Texas. We are 150 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, 150 miles east of Lubbock and Amarillo, and 150 miles south of Oklahoma City.
Vernon has been host of May’s PRCA Santa Rosa round-up for more than 60 years. Texas Ambassador’s on Horseback, The Santa Rosa Palomino Club, is stabled here. We are the birthplace of rock legend Roy Orbison and site of the Doan’s May Picnic, the oldest picnic in Texas, and the crossing of the Mighty Red for cattle drivers on their way to Kansas and points further north. Summer’s Last Blast, one of the nation’s largest-attended antique car shows, takes place the second weekend of August. The Vernon Burning 60-mile bike race is held the third weekend of August as a warm-up for the Hotter’n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls the next weekend. Vernon is the headquarters of the 550,000-acre, under-one-fence legendary Waggoner Ranch. There are a number of antique shops, a museum, and several unique restaurants downtown around the square
So pardner, next time you’re in these here parts, stop in and stay awhile