Prepare to be awestruck as we journey into the heart of the Lone Star State’s rugged beauty with the one and only Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Nestled within the sprawling plains of the Panhandle, this state park is home to the second-largest canyon in the United States!

Just about a half hour south of Amarillo lies what’s known as the Grand Canyon of Texas. This state park boasts several beautiful hiking trails and scenic views of the incredible Palo Duro Canyon.

If you’re ever passing through Amarillo or driving Route 66, I would definitely recommend a stop here. It’s one of the best parks to check out in the area.

In this post I will be breaking down everything you need to know about the park before visiting and all the activities offered here.

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About the Palo Duro Canyon

As I said this is the second largest canyon in the United States behind none other than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I definitely wouldn’t have thought that the next largest canyon in the country would be in Texas! But that’s what makes this state park so cool.

The Palo Duro Canyon is approximately 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and it has a depth of 800 feet! 

So this is a pretty massive canyon, but you would really never know that it’s there until you’re driving into the park.

Palo Duro Canyon was formed by millions of years of erosion by the Red River, specifically the Prairie Dog Town Fork which branches off from the river. This small but mighty stream combined with strong West Texas winds created the canyon we are able to view today.

State Park Fees

There is an $8 fee charged at the entrance gate of the park which is charged per person.

Palo Duro Canyon does not accept any National Park Passes like the America the Beautiful, or any other access passes offered by the NPS.

Things to Know Before Visiting

• 4WD is not required as all the roads are paved
• No off-roading permitted
• Dogs are allowed in the park on a leash
• It will be extremely hot in the summer months

Things to Do at Palo Duro Canyon

The park offers tons of different activities for visitors. Whether you want to hike, try out horseback riding, or just leisurely drive around the park, Palo Duro Canyon has a little something for everyone.

Scenic Drive

What’s so great about this park, is that it’s very accessible for all via the scenic drive. The main road in the park starts at the rim of the canyon and goes down to the bottom.

The scenic drive is a paved 16 mile road with some insane views.

If you only have a short time to visit the park, taking the scenic drive is a great way to experience the canyon. It doesn’t take too long drive so it’s a perfect detour to take while on a road trip like we were.

Since we visited the park in late June, we didn’t do much other than just drive around. We spent probably about 30 minutes- 1 hour driving through the park and taking in the views. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.

I would recommend visiting the park during the early morning hours to get the best lighting on the canyon. 

Scenic Overlooks

There are many scenic viewpoints and overlooks right off the main road.

Driving around and getting out at all the scenic overlooks was pretty much how we spent our time at the park since it was so hot out. It’s nice that you’re still able to experience the bulk of the park by car in the summer months.

Hiking in Palo Duro Canyon

There are several amazing trails that the park offers. Some are quite lengthy but others are short and sweet. There’s a trail here suitable for every kind of hiker.

A few popular hikes in the park are:

• The Lighthouse Trail
  • 6 miles round trip
  • 500 feet elevation gain
  • Easy, maintained trail until rock scrambling at the end
  • No shade
  • Leads you to the famous Lighthouse Rock in the park

• Palo Duro Caves
  • 1 mile round trip
  • Easy & flat trail
  • Leads you to small caves formed inside the red rock formations of the canyon
• Kiowa Trail
  • 3 miles round trip
  • Mostly flat, easy terrain
  • Runs along the stream

Since the climate here is so dry and it gets very hot in the summertime, you are going to have to be adequately prepared for the conditions. This means bringing plenty of water with you, wearing sunscreen and hats to avoid sun exposure if you plan to hike.

Horseback Riding

This isn’t something I’m too familiar with as I have never done it here before. But it is another activity that’s popular at Palo Duro Canyon. 

This state park has 1,500 acres of land specifically used for horseback riding. These equestrian trails take you through several famous rock formations in the park.

You have two options when it comes to horseback riding here: bringing your own horse with you, or you can take a guided tour through Old West Stables, a company that’s located right on the canyon floor of the park.

To bring your own horse into the park, you must have a negative Coggins Test which shows your horse doesn’t carry the Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). This test must be no later than 12 months old. You then can proceed to set up camp and your trailer at the Equestrian Campground which is only used for people traveling here with their horses. Reservations for this campground are required in advance.

If you choose to go with a guided tour, Old West Stables hosts 1 hour tours that are perfect for beginner horseback riders and experienced riders alike. 

Tours go for $125 per person and you can book online here. Make sure you are familiar with all the rules and regulations that Old West Stables has in place before booking. 

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is another activity offered at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Many of the biking trails are shared with hikers so keep that in mind. This isn’t a widely popular activity here, but it is permitted. You will have to bring your own bike to the park, there is no where to rent them nearby.

Best Time to Visit Palo Duro

Spring & Fall

Spring and fall will bring the most mild temperatures which will be essential if you want to spend most of your time hiking in the park.

Please do not attempt long hikes in the summer. It can be potentially dangerous especially if you aren’t used to this kind of heat.

The scenic drive is lovely to do at any time during the year so a visit to Palo Duro Canyon is still doable if you find yourself in the area during the summertime like I did.

Staying at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon State Park has some really nice options for accommodation. Both campsites and cabins inside the park are available for booking.

Camping

There are a few different types of campsites available in the park, and the type of camping you are wanting to do will depend on which campground you stay at.

If you’re looking for a site with electricity hookups for an RV, then you’ll want to look into either the Juniper, Sagebrush, Mesquite, or Hackberry campgrounds. They run for $26 a night.

If you’re strictly only looking to tent camp, it is suggested that you stay at the Fortress Cliff Area. You do not have to backpack to these sites, you can drive right up to them. Trailers, pop-up campers, or any kind of motorized camper is not allowed at this campground. Water is available here. Showers and bathrooms are a short walk away. Campsites at the Fortress Cliff Area run for $16 per night.

To get a more detailed look on all the campsites available at Palo Duro Canyon, check out this page on their website. 

Cabin Rentals

Located in the park, there are 7 different cabins available for rent, which are referred to as the Cowcamp Cabins. Three of them are on the rim of the canyon and the other four are situated on the canyon floor. 

Prices vary for each of these cabins as they all have different amenities. The four cabins inside the canyon do not have bathrooms inside but there are some located nearby. For this reason, these options for accommodation go for $60 a night.

The cabins on the rim, have more to offer including bathrooms and fabulous views of the canyon below. These cabins range from $125-$150 per night. 

For more information and to view all the specific details of the different cabins available, check out this page on their website.

Whether you’re visiting Palo Duro Canyon and interested in hiking, horseback riding, camping, or just taking in the canyon views, you will find a trip to this state park very much worthwhile.

You won’t want to miss this destination next time you’re driving through Amarillo. It can be such a quick stop, it makes for a great detour while on a road trip through Texas.

I hope you found this article helpful in planning your visit to this one of a kind state park! Thank you so much for reading!