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USA Parks
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Panhandle & Plains Region
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
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Palo Duro Canyon State Park Nature at its wildest and best © Danielle Rice
Palo Duro State Park in Fall. Beauty as far as the eyes can see
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Tom R. Chambers
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon © Paul Brian Photography.com
Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon © Paul Brian Photography
Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon in Texas.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Another view of Capitol Peak © Paul Brian Photography.com
View of Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Another view of Capitol Peak © Paul Brian Photography
Capitol Peak at Palo Duro Canyon Texas.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © CAROLYN JOHNSON
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © CAROLYN JOHNSON
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © CAROLYN JOHNSON
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © CAROLYN JOHNSON
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © CAROLYN JOHNSON
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Fenceline View © DeWaun Simmons
The View from atop the visitor viewing area.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Room with a View © DeWaun Simmons
Park cabins with an awesome view What a place to wake up in.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Canyon View © DeWaun Simmons
Looking out over the canyon from near the cabins.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Prickly Pear Cactus © DeWaun Simmons
Late winter condition of the Prickly Pear Cactus in the Canyon.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © DeWaun Simmons
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Rob Heiwinkel
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Spanish Skirts © Rob Heiwinkel
Some of the rock formations called Spanish Skirts.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Green Peak © Rob Heiwinkel
When hiking in the park you will see wonderful views around every corner.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Red Peak © Rob Heiwinkel
Saw this peak on the hike to lighthouse rock.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Camp site valley © Rob Heiwinkel
Valley near camp site.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Lighthouse valley © Rob Heiwinkel
Valley behind lighthouse rock.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Small Peak © Rob Heiwinkel
Small peak and rock formations at start of lighthouse hike.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Green Peak 2 © Rob Heiwinkel
More Spanish Skirts
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Fence and Flowers © Rob Heiwinkel
Beautiful view from the park gift shop.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Valley floor © Rob Heiwinkel
Shot from the valley floor
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Spanish Skirts 2 © Rob Heiwinkel
Another Spanish Skirt formation in the park.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Red Peak 2 © Rob Heiwinkel
View on lighthouse hike.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © Rob Heiwinkel
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Canyon 1 © Rob Heiwinkel
At the horizon you can roughly see 20 miles down the valley.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Lighthouse Rock © Rob Heiwinkel
View of lighthouse rock
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Red Peak 3 © Rob Heiwinkel
Another view of red peak.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Canyon 3 © Rob Heiwinkel
More formations
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © DeWaun Simmons
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © DeWaun Simmons
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © DeWaun Simmons
Palo Duro Canyon State Park © DeWaun Simmons
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PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
11450 State Highway Park Road 5
Canyon, Texas   79015
(lat:34.9372 lon:-101.6589) map location

Phone: 806-488-2227
Reservations: 512-389-8900
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.
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.

Canoncita 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.


Location
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located near Amarillo, Canyon

Picnicking
Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers numerous picnic sites with tables and grills, some even featuring covered shelters.
Bicycling
Biking trails are abundant, with options for all skill levels. Be aware that terrain can be challenging and rugged.

The park offers over 30 miles of biking routes, but caution is advised due to potential wildlife encounters.

Mountain bikers should note the Capitol Peak Mountain Bike Trail's technical difficulty level before embarking on this route.

For a less strenuous ride, consider Juniper Riverside trail which has fewer elevation changes yet still provides stunning views.

Always wear helmets while cycling in the area as safety precautions cannot be overstated here given its rough terrains.

Remember: hydration is key! The arid climate may lead to dehydration faster than expected so carry ample water supplies.

Check weather forecasts prior to your trip; flash floods could make certain paths impassable or dangerous at times.

Lastly, respect nature by staying on marked trails only - it protects both you and local flora/fauna from harm.
Birding
Birding enthusiasts can spot various species like the Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Painted Bunting, and Black-chinned Hummingbird. The park is home to over 180 bird species including Canyon Towhee and Scaled Quail. Birdwatchers may also see Roadrunners or Wild Turkeys roaming around freely in their natural habitat. Raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks are commonly seen soaring overhead while smaller birds like Ladder-backed Woodpeckers flit among trees.
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.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
October 5 We love Palo Duro by Carol Hardee
park review stars; one to five We have been there at least 12 Times. We can not go to Texas without going there.Our children love to hike all the trails.Will be back again and again.
November 15 A Must See Place by Zack
park review stars; one to five 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.
August 18 very nice by Allen
park review stars; one to five We camped here in June 2008. Was very clean and well managed. The scenery is beautiful
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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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