Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon
The second-largest canyon in the United States, with red and white rock layers stretching about 190 km, and popular for hiking, horseback riding, and camping.
Palo Duro Canyon stretches about 190 km and reaches roughly 240 m at its deepest. It was carved by tributaries of the Red River through the flat plains of the Texas Panhandle, and its rock layers are striped in red, orange, white, and purple, earning it the nickname 'the Grand Canyon of Texas.' Inside the state park, a roughly 26 km loop road runs along the canyon, with viewpoints, trails, campsites, a horse-riding stable, and a visitor center. Adult admission is about 8 USD. For busy weekends, consider booking a day pass online in advance. The canyon is about 40 km from Amarillo, roughly a 40-minute drive, and you enter through the town of Canyon.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00–22:00 (check state park website)
Nearby sights
- Lighthouse Trail & Lighthouse Rock
- TEXAS Outdoor Musical
- Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum
- The Big Texan Steak Ranch
- Texas Air & Space Museum
- American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum
- Ozymandias on the Plains
- U.S. Route 66–Sixth Street Historic District