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Palo Duro Canyon
Overview
Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a dramatic descent into the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Often called the Grand Canyon of Texas, it provides a stunning landscape of deep red clay, multi-colored hoodoos, and steep mesas. RVers visit from across the country to experience the rugged beauty of this geological wonder while enjoying the well-maintained facilities and scenic vistas managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just east of the city of Canyon, TX, the park is a short drive from the historic Route 66 in Amarillo. The journey into the park involves a dramatic descent of 800 feet to the canyon floor, featuring a 10% grade that offers breathtaking views of the distinct rock layers. Once below the rim, the environment transitions into a desert oasis filled with juniper trees and vibrant wildflowers.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features several campgrounds specifically designed for RVs, including the Hackberry and Mesquite loops, which provide water and 30/50-amp electrical hookups. While full hookups are not available at the individual sites, travelers have easy access to multiple dump stations and clean restroom facilities with hot showers. The Palo Duro Trading Post is a staple feature, offering essential supplies, firewood, and snacks to campers.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 30 miles of multi-use trails, with the trek to the Lighthouse rock formation being a bucket-list experience. During the summer, the Pioneer Amphitheater comes alive with the "TEXAS" Outdoor Musical, a world-renowned performance. Beyond the park, visitors can explore the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum or witness the quirky Cadillac Ranch nearby, making it a diverse stop for any road trip.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is perfect for outdoor adventurers and photographers who prioritize natural beauty and tranquility over commercial resort amenities. It is an excellent choice for families seeking an educational experience in geology and Western history. Because of the park unique topography, it is best for RVer who are comfortable with mountain driving techniques and those who enjoy a wilderness atmosphere with the convenience of power.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
B B
Beautiful area. The biking loops were pedally and fun. There’s a bike rack on the lighthouse trail before the steep section. The campgrounds are nice, the one we popped into had water, flushing toilets and showers. We didn’t find out the overnight price. Lots of space on a Monday in November.
Jon Kelley
Absolutely beautiful state park in America’s second largest canyon. Well preserved and maintained, with a road that goes from the rim—and the visitors center—to the bottom, without too many hairpin turns. There’s even a Trading Post that sells food and drink in the canyon (including ice cream!). In terms of hikes, highly recommend Lighthouse Trail—2.8 miles in and 2.8 back—as well as the big cave at the end of the paved road. Super beautiful, mostly flat, and doable with kids.
Alejandra Gutiérrez Delgado
We really enjoyed hiking! We did the CCC Trail and the Rock Garden both were absolutely gorgeous. The Rock Garden was very challenging but definitely had the wow factor! We had a really great time. The roadrunner was so cute such a perfect touch of nature in the park.
Susan Donovan
We camped 3 nights at the Juniper Campground! The campsite, restrooms, camp hosts, and wildlife visitors were ALL absolutely delightful!! We did several nice hikes and enjoyed them all!! Instead of the Lighthouse Trail, we decided to make it a loop with Givens, Spicer and Lowry to the Lighthouse and Paseo del Rio! We were glad we did! The Lighthouse portion a of that loop was really the least scenic!! What a wonderful place to explore! Texas State Parks does a GREAT JOB!! Thank you!!
Tamara Sims
My family enjoyed visiting the canyon. The big cave was pretty cool to walk, too. Most of the trails were closed off though. The amphitheater had a show that was pretty neat. The gift shop has tons to choose from. There is plenty of wildlife to walking around