Hiking Palo Duro • The Grand Canyon of Texas

Hiking Palo Duro

Palo Duro • The Grand Canyon of Texas

Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the US gaining it the nickname as “the Grand Canyon of Texas”. It is believed early Spanish explorers discovered the canyon and named it “Palo Duro” or “Hard Wood” in reference to the large number of juniper trees growing in the canyon bed.

At approximately 70 miles (110 kms) in length, 6 miles (10 kms) in average width, and depths of 820-1000 feet (250-300 meters), the Palo Duro canyon is less than half the size of the Grand Canyon, but it still offers great opportunities for hiking, biking, horse-riding, and camping.

Palo Duro Canyon

Me Posing in the Palo Duro Canyon

Located in the Texas Panhandle, less than an hour’s drive from Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon is definitely a State Park worth visiting, especially for those driving the remnants of America’s infamous Route 66 which passes through Amarillo.

Camping in Palo Duro Canyon

The Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a number of camp sites including those with water and electricity hookups for RVs, equestrian sites with horse pens, and primitive drive-up and backpacking tent sites. We have often found it difficult to reserve tent sites in advance in Texas but thankfully it is possible to reserve tent sites in Palo Duro for only $12/night plus the daily entrance fee.

When we arrived we paid our fees at the visitor center and were directed to the Fortress Cliff Campground. Our site had a picnic table, sun shade, and there were water faucets and porta-potties nearby. There were around 20 sites in the campground and it appeared they were all full during the weekend in late-April we visited. I would definitely recommend making reservations when the weather is nice.

Although the camp site was very windy at times, we were still treated with a calm evening and a gorgeous sunset where the sky appeared to be on fire.

Palo Duro Canyon Sunset

Sunset View from the Fortress Cliff Camp Area

Hiking in Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro features over 30 miles (~50 kms) of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Generally, the hiking is very easy for experienced hikers, but you definitely need to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lots of water as it can be very hot and dry. It is worth mentioning that many of the trails are multi-use and you may encounter a lot of mountain bikers. In our experience, the bikers were very responsible and yelled out that they were approaching and told us how many were in their groups so we could safely stay off the trail.

Juniper Cliffside & Riverside Trail

After setting up our tent, Sara and I walked a loop down in the river valley around the main road – a combination of the Juniper Cliffside, Riversie, and Sunflower trails. The hike was very flat and easy and it offered stunning views over the colourful cliff formations, especially in the later afternoon light.

Since the hike was down in the river valley there were a lot of trees and greenery that helped block the wind. There was also this beautiful red and white rock outcropping with a large cave that people were climbing all over.

If you’re looking for an easy hike that you can make a short loop of, this is a good option.

Palo Duro Red Cliffs

Cave Along the Juniper Cliffside Trail

Lighthouse Trail

The lighthouse trail is the most popular trail in Palo Duro because it reaches a large red outcropping that looks like a, you guessed it, lighthouse.

The trail is 2.7 miles (4.3 kms) each way and generally flat and easy, except for a few difficult slipper dirt slopes near the end. The red rock outcroppings are quite impressive as they tower high above the flat surrounding landscape.

For an added challenge, it’s easy to combine the Lighthouse Trail with the Givens, Spice, and Lowry Trail (3.1 miles / 5 kms) and the Paseo del Rio Trail (1 mile / 1.6 kms) for a 6.8 mile (11 km) loop.

Palo Duro Lighthouse

Sara Standing in front of the Lighthouse Formation

For a better view of the lighthouse I climbed around and on top of the second rock formation. It’s easy to walk up to this rock except for the last 10 feet which involve climbing up a sheer piece of sandstone with small hand and toe holds carved into the rock. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Palo Duro Lighthouse

Me Standing on Top of the Second Rock Formation

Palo Duro Lighthouse

View of the Lighthouse From Above

Givens, Spicer, Lowry Trail

The 3.1 mile (5 km) GSL trail, named after avid runners who helped build the Palo Duro Canyon’s trail system, is a great addition to a hike down the Lighthouse Trail. The GSL trail has a few more ups and downs but it is still a relatively flat and easy walk, provided you have enough stamina and water!

My favourite part of the GSL trail were the numerous stunning hoodoos poking above the horizon. I have also heard hoodoos called tent rocks, fairy chimneys, and earth pyramids and they are usually caused by a large durable rock protecting a tower of more easily eroded rock, as can be seen in the photo below.

Palo Duro Hoodoo

Hoodoo on the GSL Trail in Palo Duro Canyon

Paseo del Rio Trail

There isn’t anything particularly scenic about the easy and flat 1 mile (1.6 km) Paseo del Rio trail but it certainly beats walking down the road back to the start of the Lighthouse Trail. This trail also seemed popular among mountain bikers so make sure you’re paying attention and are ready to get off the path if someone hollars from behind.

The only stop of interest to note is the Cowboy Dugout which is set up to show how cowboys lived in the 1880s. It is very dark inside but it gives a good idea of how cowboys beat the heat back in the day.

Cowboy Dugout

Cowboy Dugout on Paseo del Rio Trail

CCC Trail to Goodnight Peak Scenic Loop

Immediately upon entering the Palo Duro Canyon Park there is the CCC Overlook which offers an excellent viewpoint over the canyon below. From this overlook it is possible to hike the 1.4 mile (2.3 km) trail 500 feet down to the park’s amphitheater on the canyon floor.

Palo Duro Canyon

View from the Start of the CCC Overlook Trail

Unless you have two vehicles, or want to do the 1.4 mile return walk up hill, I would highly recommend combining the CCC Trail with the 1.3 mile (2.1 km) Goodnight Peak Scenic Loop and then returning back up to the CCC Overlook. There is still a decent change in elevation but the scenery from Goodnight Peak is beautiful and well worth the effort.

Goodnight Peak Trail

View from Goodnight Peak Loop

Palo Duro’s Flora and Fauna

Flora

In addition to Palo Duro’s namesake juniper trees, the canyon floor supports mesquite, cottonwood, willow, western soapberry and hackberry trees.

When we visited Palo Duro in late April, we were pleased to see a large number of wildflowers dotting the canyon floor. Flowers common to Palo Duro include Indian blankets, sunflowers, blackfoot daisies, tansy asters, paperflowers, and prickly pear cacti.

Palo Duro Purple Aster

Purple Tansy Aster

Fauna

Palo Duro hosts lots of wildlife including Texas longhorn cattle, wild turkeys, rabbits, white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, road runners, and many types of snakes and lizards. Birding is also popular and golden-fronted woodpeckers, Mississippi kites, Bullock’s orioles, painted buntings, western meadowlarks, and lark sparrows can commonly be seen.

Sara and I were lucky enough to see a wild turkey, baby desert cottontail rabbit,  Texas horned lizard, numerous dung beetles, and a while lady bug.

Desert Cottontail Rabbit

Desert Cottontail Rabbit

There are a lot of interesting things about Dung Beetles but three of my favourite facts are: 1) they can push up to 1,140 times their own body weight; 2) they use the stars to navigate; and 3) they climb on to their dung balls to cool their feet when the ground is really hot under the mid-day sun.

Dung Beetle

Dung Beetle Rolling Relatively Heavy Ball of Dung

Dung Beetle

Dung Beetle Cooling Off its Feet

Sara managed to spot a Texas horned lizard (AKA horny toad) for us to watch. Her seeing it was especially impressive since they are listed as a threatened species in Texas and the Texas horned lizard does a great job of camouflaging itself in the grass. I love how much it looks like a mini dinosaur.

Texas Horned Lizard

Texas Horned Lizard

Texas Horned Lizard

Texas Horned Lizard

One morning I also noticed this white ladybug on our tent fly. I haven’t seen a white ladybug before and I thought the ‘milk cow’ design on its shell was deserving of a photo.

White Ladybug Palo Duro

White Ladybug

Overall, I enjoyed Palo Duro Canyon more than I expected I would. The hikes were generally very flat and manageable under the hot sun but also quite scenic. I was lucky enough to capture great snapshots of the flora and fauna and really enjoyed going into Amarillo for steak and beer after our longest day of hiking. If you’re in the Texas panhandle and are into camping, hiking, or photography, the Palo Duro Canyon is definitely worth a stop.

1 Comments on “Hiking Palo Duro • The Grand Canyon of Texas”

  1. Thank you for all the great information about this awesome canyon. I am planning a trip to go for spring break this year and this helped a lot!

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