Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a natural wonder that every outdoor adventure seeker should visit. Located in the Texas panhandle, the park is home to the second-largest canyon in the United States. The rocky gorge stretches over 120 miles in length and up to 20 miles in width.
With its stunning rock formations, wildlife, and diverse vegetation, the beautiful canyon offers visitors an unforgettable experience.
One of the best ways to explore the park is by hiking. The park offers a variety of trails with different difficulty levels, from easy hikes to strenuous ones.
Trails in the Park
The Lighthouse Trail is the most popular trail and offers breathtaking views of the park’s iconic rock formation, the Lighthouse. It’s a six-mile round trip that is moderately challenging, but the views at the end are worth it.
For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Upper Canyon Trail is a 6.6-mile round trip with stunning views of the red sandstone canyon.
Many visitors also explore the park by mountain biking. Palo Duro Canyon has several miles of mountain biking trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. The Rock Garden Trail is a technical trail that offers an exciting challenge for advanced riders, while the Juniper Cliffside Trail is a beginner-friendly trail that is great for families.
The park also offers camping options for visitors who want to surround themselves in the beauty of nature both day and night. Primitive camping and RV sites with full hookups are avalible in the park – be sure to reserve your campsite in advance.
The state park is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting the Texas panhandle. With its stunning rock formations, wildlife, and star-gazing night skies it’s easy to see why it’s a sought-out state park in the USA.
Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, or camping, Palo Duro Canyon State Park has something for everyone.
More Texas Travel Ideas
- Highlights of the South Padre Beach Camp Out
- Cadillac Ranch
- San Antonio
- Caprock Canyons State Park
- Big Bend National Park
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I didn’t know about this park until recently. Somehow, I don’t associate this kind of geology with Texas, but that just proves my ignorance. It could easily be located in Utah.
I’m with you! We had not heard of Palo Duro Canyon before this trip. Only then did we see a sign for it and decide to go. It’s the second largest canyon in the US that no one knows about it seems!
I learned about it from some Texas bloggers, but otherwise, would have not been aware of it. Definitely worth a visit!