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Palo Duro State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Palo Duro State Park
11450 Park Road 5
Canyon, Texas 79015
Phone: 806-488-2227
Reservations: 512-389-8900
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Palo Duro Canyon State Park consists of 16,402 acres in Armstrong and Randall Counties, south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The land was deeded by private owners in 1933. From 1933 until 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) sent six companies of young men and military veterans to Palo Duro Canyon to develop road access to the canyon floor as well as the visitor center, cabins, shelters, and the park headquarters. The hard work of these dedicated individuals was important in the establishment of Palo Duro Canyon State Park which officially opened on July 4, 1934. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Palo Duro Canyon is located on the southern high plains, an area called El Llano Estacado or "staked plains." The rim of the canyon is considered part of the short grass prairie while the elevated moisture of the canyon floor supports a greater diversity of plants including some medium and tall grass species along with shrubs and trees. Common plant species include sideoats grama, big bluestem, Indian blanket, star thistle, fragrant sumac, mesquite, and cottonwood trees. Several juniper species are also common.
Due to diverse habitats, Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard, and Palo Duro Mouse. Other species include wild turkey, white tail and mule deer, barbary sheep, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, roadrunners, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is known for its rustic charm, and for that very reason, we would like to encourage visitors not to feed the wildlife. On the canyon rim, longhorn steers which are a part of the official Texas State Longhorn Herd, may be viewed from the main road.
Geology:
The canyon is approximately 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep. Extending from Canyon to Silverton, Palo Duro Canyon was formed primarily by water erosion from the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, which began to carve the canyon less than one million years ago. The slopes of the canyon reveal the colorful natural history of the area.Dating back 250 million years, the oldest layers of rock, Cloud Chief Gypsum, can only be seen in a few areas in the canyon. The next oldest and most prominent layer of rock is the Quartermaster Formation which can be seen with its distinctive red claystone/sandstone and white layers of gypsum.
The Tecovas Formation is located directly above the Quartermaster and is composed of yellow, gray, and lavender mudstone and sandstone. Together with the Quartermaster, they form the colorful triangular slopes called Spanish Skirts. Above the Tecovas, the Truijillo and Ogallala formations can be viewed. The Ogallala is composed of sand, silt, clay, and limestone, which compose the hard caprock. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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my favorite
it was so awsome it was so reall
i want to go agian and the dresses are goregess
Written by misty
3-Jul-2008
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very nice
We camped here in June 2008. Was very clean and well managed. The scenery is beautiful
Written by Allen
18-Aug-2008
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A Must See Place
The Canyon is a beautiful place to visit. The views are spectacular, and the plant diversity is amazing. If you are ever near it, you need to stop and see it.
Written by Zack
15-Nov-2008
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| History of the Area: |
| Man has inhabited Palo Duro Canyon for approximately 12,000 years. The Clovis and Folsom people first resided in the canyon and hunted large herds of mammoth and giant bison. Later on, other cultures such as the Apaches, Comanches, and Kiowas utilized the canyon?s abundant resources.
Early Spanish Explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon "Palo Duro" which is Spanish for "hard wood" in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees. However, an American did not officially discover the canyon until 1852 when Captain Marcy ventured into the area while searching for the headwaters of the Red River.
In 1874, Palo Duro Canyon was a battle site during the Red River Wars. Col. Mackenzie, under orders from the US Government, apprehended the Native Americans residing in the canyon by first capturing 1,400 horses and then later destroying the majority of the herd. Unable to escape, the Native Americans surrendered and were transported to reservations in Oklahoma. Then, from 1876 until 1890, most of the canyon belonged to the J.A. Ranch and was operated by Col. Charles Goodnight.
Life on the Edge? Webcast archives - Featuring Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Panhandle Plains MuseumSee the archives of this broadcast from Texas largest history museum, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Learn about the people, animals and plants that call this area home.
Ca?ita Ranch added to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife has purchased 2,036 acres adjacent to Palo Duro Canyon State Park along the park's southern boundary. Read more...
Activities: Park activities include camping, horseback riding, hiking, nature study, bird watching, mountain biking, and scenic drives.
While in the park, stop by and enjoy our Visitor Center located on the Canyon Rim. This rustic native stone building was constructed by the CCC in 1934 and houses a Museum and Museum Store. The store is located in the Visitor Center and features books, potter, jewelry, and educational items pertaining to the Canyon. |
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| Related Links: |
| Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas - information on Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas ... Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Road 5 Canyon, TX 79015 806/488-2227 pdc@palodurocanyon.com Welcome to the "Grand Canyon of Texas"! A ... | | Welcome to the Gayoutdoorclub - Palo Duro State Park Palo Duro State Park contact office is : (806)488-2227 e-mail : pdc@palodurocanyon.com Texas State Park ... Number: 512-389-8900 Palo Duro State Park Paul Green's "TEXAS ... | | TEXAS SOCIETY OF YOUNG ASTRONOMERS Observing Logs by Rosemont 6th Grade ??.by Sallie Teame - ... good word about the Fort Worth Astronomy Society to visitors at Palo Duro State Park and The Badlands National Park this summer ... Star Talks" at Palo Duro State Park in June. On one occasion ... | | JA Ranch - JA Ranch is the oldest Texas Panhandle Ranch ... HISTORY of the JA, THE RITCHIE FAMILY and the JA FAMILY The JA, the oldest ranch in the Texas Panhandle, has an illustrious history, tied to one family ... | | http://www.npsot.org/Amarillo/photos.htm - The following pictures are at the Palo Duro State Park and Visitor's Center The following pictures were taken at the Currie Ranch south of Amarillo. HOME / PROJECTS | | Handbook of Texas Online: ARMSTRONG COUNTY - ... oil and gas are produced in Armstrong County. Recreation and tourist attractions include Palo Duro State Park, the pioneer Goodnight Ranch Home, and the Caprock Roundup, which is held each year in ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Outdoor Theater Productions:
Now in its 39th sensational season of presenting Texas culture through its internationally acclaimed productions in the beautiful Pioneer Amphitheatre, the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation is embarking on a bold and innovative new theatrical journey. Outdoor Epic Theatre is at its best as the story of the Texas Panhandle unfolds year after year, with new chapters being continually added to the adventurous tale. For tickets call 1-877-58TEXAS or visit www.epictexas.com. The Sunday night performance is Heavenly Country.
Texas Legacies, An Adventure of a Lifetime! See the second season of this production. Performances are held nightly except Sundays, June 3 through August 21st, and July 4th.
Heavenly Country is the story of a New York fine arts critic who dies and goes to Heaven, only it's Country Music Heaven, and he thinks he's in "Hell!" Music includes many old country hits performed in a contemporary way, including songs by Hank Williams Sr., Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, Earnest Tubb, Hank Thompson, Patsy Cline, and George Jones. The band accompanying the show is Heaven's house band, the "Joyful Noise." Heavenly Country is performed every Sunday night from June 13th through August 22, excluding July 4th.
Equestrian:
Come and experience Palo Duro Canyon up close and personal, the way the cowboys did: On Horseback. The Old West Stables, located inside the canyon, offers guided tours to Timber Creek Canyon and the famous Lighthouse formation. Other services offered include wagon rides, campfire breakfasts, souvenirs, and a snack bar. Bring the whole family! Reservations are required. Please call (806) 488-2180.
Other Area Attractions:
Nearby activities include Storyland Zoo for Children, Nielsen Memorial Museum, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, West Texas A&M University, Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| The park is located about 12 miles east of Canyon on State Highway 217. From Amarillo, take Interstate 27 south to State Highway 217, and go east 8 miles. |
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