8 Epic Things To Do in Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon also known as “The Grand Canyon of Texas” is the second largest canyon in the United States. It’s a beautiful place to visit and should be on every Texas bucket list. Below are 8 epic things to do in Palo Duro Canyon. But first…

Location:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located in the Panhandle of Texas. It’s 30 minutes south of Amarillo in Canyon, TX. If coming from Dallas it’s about a six hour drive.

11450 Park Road 5 Canyon, TX 79015

Best Time To Go:

The park is open all year.

Summer is peak season and the only time you can see Texas the Musical. The daily temps are often in the 90s and even 100s.

Spring and Fall are the best time for hiking and camping.

Winter is ideal for less crowds.

It does get crowded on weekends, so make sure to reserve your spot before coming!

Cost:

$8 Daily entrance fee for everyone 13 and older

$70 Texas State Park Annual Pass. Highly recommend! This pass pays for itself in a few visits depending on the age of family members.

What To Bring:

Water- Lots of water!!! Plan on a gallon per person per day.
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Backpack
Snacks
Camping Equipment
Hiking Shoes
Camera
Texas Parks Annual Pass

Where To Stay:

Palo Duro Canyon State Park has several different camping options. They range from primitive camping to campsites with electricity and water. Make sure to book in advance, they fill up in peak times. Check out this page for more info.

The state park offers cabins on the rim or the canyon floor. Click here for more info.

The city of Canyon has brand hotel names if you prefer that option.

8 Epic Things To Do in Palo Duro Canyon

1. Gaze at the Incredible View

The main viewpoint is located near the entrance to the park by the Visitor Center. It’s absolutely breathtaking and worth a few (or ten) minutes of your time.

2. Drive The Canyon Loop

The drive going down into the canyon offers amazing views as well. The main road through the canyon creates a loop and doesn’t take long to see the whole thing. I highly suggest taking your time to enjoy the canyon scenery.

3. Hike

Palo Duro Canyon offers over 30 miles of hiking trails! Highly suggest getting on one to truly experience the canyon.

The Lighthouse Trail is by far the most popular trail in the park. It takes you to the most famous rock formation in the park, the Lighthouse. The trail is 5.7 miles round trip and can take around 3 hours to complete. Most of the trail is fairly easy, but the last half mile is steep. The park warns of people dying from dehydration on this trail, so you’re forewarned. The Texas heat is not to be taken lightly! Bring PLENTY of water!!

The Givens, Spicer and Lowry trail can also be taken to the Lighthouse. It adds more time, but different scenery. 8 miles round trip.

The Rock Garden Trail is another popular trail in the park. There are big boulders on the trail that make for cool photos. 5 miles round trip.

Here’s a link to the state park trail map for more trails and details.

4. Horseback Ride In The Canyon

The State Park has designated equestrian trails and a campsite to use if you bring your own horse.

Otherwise you can take a guided tour through this company.

5. Zip Line

Seriously, how cool is this option?!? I absolutely love to zip line and being able to see these views…AH MAY ZING!!! The entrance is just outside the state park.

6. Jeep Tour

I have not done this yet, but have heard it’s a great way to experience the canyon. And It’s definitely on my list for next time!

7. Star Gaze

If you haven’t noticed, Canyon is located in the middle of a lot of nothing. This makes it the perfect location for star gazing! You know…”The Stars at Night are Big & Bright, deep in the Heart of TEXAS”

8. TEXAS The Musical

This musical is extremely popular! Family friendly, singing, dancing and Texas humor, sounds great to me. It only shows in the summer on certain nights, so check their website before coming.

Tips For Visiting

Bring LOTS of Water!!! A good estimate is a gallon per person per day.
Plan on the summer heat. The canyon floor is hotter than the rim.
Start hikes very early in the morning and plan on no shade.
Wear sunscreen and a hat. Again the Texas sun is intense in the summer!
Wear bug spray. Depending on the time of year, the bugs can be bad. And watch out for tarantulas!
Cacti are everywhere! On every trail!
Check out the Trading Post for snacks, beverages and souvenirs.
The Visitor Center is worth a short visit as well.

There you have it, 8 Epic Things to do in Palo Duro Canyon! Have you been to Palo Duro Canyon State Park? Have I missed anything that you consider a must do? Let me know!

Check out this post on Caprock Canyon State Park which is nearby.

For more Texas State Parks to visit click HERE.