About Us

Area church groups supported buying 319 acres of land between Canyon and Amarillo for $125 an acre. Within the next few years, thirteen churches leased land from the Palo Duro Association and built cabins at the campground. The Amarillo Baptist Association (formerly Palo Duro Baptist Association) and supporters built a dining hall, the 1,000-seat Mays Auditorium, recreational spaces, a manager’s home and B. L. Davis Lodge.

Early on Sunday morning, May 7, 1995, a tornado hit the campgrounds, leaving a path of major destruction. When the sun fully came up, the light revealed what looked like a war zone. The manager’s home and shop, the pump house, the dining hall and five cabins had been destroyed. Other buildings on the grounds also suffered various degrees of damage. The campground committee researched the rebuilding process. The decision was made to begin reconstruction. At the recommendation of architects and property advisors, a new conference center and dining hall was approved. The building program included an R.V. park whose first occupants were Texas Baptist Camp Builders and volunteers.

Through the labor and support of many volunteers and organizations a new entrance gate, a conference center and an updated dining facility were completed in 1997.

In 2009, the Amarillo Area Baptist Association elected a Board of Directors to manage the resources of the campgrounds and reach an expanded audience. Although the mission remained the same, the High Plains Baptist Conference Center was renamed the High Plains Retreat Center and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the end of that year.

The "Building for the Future" Campaign of $875,000 began to build an in-the-ground pool and pool building began in 2014. The campaign was completed a year later in 2015 with the opening of the pool and a new ropes course.