Palo Duro Canyon: Driving To The Bottom
Being able to drive into Palo Duro Canyon gives you an idea of the size of this canyon. In fact it is the 2nd largest canyon in the United States behind the Grand Canyon. I guess it was only fitting that we go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, when arriving back into Texas, on our road trip to the Grand Canyon!
We spent the night in Amarillo and got up early to go check out Palo Duro Canyon the next morning. The sunrise was very pretty ahead of us.
We checked in at the gate and received a map. At the time we visited (September 2020), the Park was requiring online reservations in advance. In advance for us, was actually on the way over and completed about 5 minutes before we arrived. Glad they weren’t at capacity! As we’ve mentioned in other posts about our TX, NM, AZ road trip loop, this has proven to be the best time to travel. With many kids back in school, and probably even more people not yet traveling, we enjoyed virtually no crowds at our destinations. (Carlsbad Caverns is the only place that we had any wait and that was at the elevators to come back up because they were only running two elevators and limiting to those traveling together.)
Following the only road down into the canyon, we were able to view the beautiful rugged terrain as we gradually descended about 880ft to the bottom. The map was helpful to indicate points of interest, trailheads, camp areas, restrooms, etc. It also gave info as to the length and difficulty of the trails and whether they were for hiking, bicycles, or horses.
There are nice facilities here at the park, although everything wasn’t open at the time. At The Trading Post, we visited the gift shop and they were still serving food there also. We did not see anyone at the horse stables inside the park, although we noticed another stable with horses just outside of the park.
We saw some folks under the pavilion at Mack Dick Group Pavillion. This looks like a great place to reserve for a family or friend group!
The Lone Star Interpretive Theater was quiet, but looks like a cozy little amphitheater for a small event. There is a larger Pioneer Amphitheater carved into the canyon where the ‘official musical of the state of Texas’ aptly named TEXAS, is performed each summer, other than 2020 of course. Would love to come back and see it.
There are plenty of trails for hiking, biking and even horseback riding. The parking lot at the trailhead of Lighthouse Trail was full. We had our 16 year old Jack Russell, Trit, with us so that trail was too far for him. It’s over 5 miles round trip and he already needed to be carried on much shorter trails. Next time!
Besides just exploring around the canyon close to the main road, we hiked one of the shorter trails. It was still eventful in that we saw a little curly tailed Hognose snake on the trail. Interesting looking, huh? Fortunately, he’s not poisonous and we saw him before we stepped on him.
We walked down to the river bed, but it was dry. Maybe it was just the time of year. I’m not sure. Possibly it would have water running through after some good rains in the area or upstream.
When we got back to the top of the trail, we saw a pretty lizard on a log bench. I loved his blue and green colors. He ended up scurrying off. No intentions of hanging out with humans and a dog!
Here is our family portrait sitting on the lizard’s log bench. Haha
Palo Duro Canyon is definitely worth checking out if you are around Amarillo. We had a fun time there, especially since the temps were mild on a late September morning, and it wasn’t crowded at all. Maybe we’ll do some glamping there next time and see Texas, the famous musical!
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Would something like this be useful to you on the trails?
Was wishing I had these on after we saw the snake on the trail!
Perfect for taking ‘family portraits’ 🙂
Still one of the best investments for Trit. No mess solution to always having food and water for him.
Looks like an amazing adventure! Love the lizard… the snake – not so much! LOL. Texas is included on our next planned road trip in the US. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for it to happen!
Haha agree! Let me know if you have any Texas destination questions! Enjoy!
Loved the pictures, until I saw the snake. That would have freaked me out poisonous or not!
Haha Thanks Maya!
Looks like a gorgeous area to hike in! And we have a species of hognose snakes here in Missouri too. People often mistake them for poisonous snakes.
It was a great little hiking spot! That is the 1st hognose snake that I’ve seen and was glad to learn he wasn’t poisonous 🙂
Isn’t it gorgeous?! You got some great photos. At first, I thought that was a rattler…gotta be careful in the SW!
A rattler was my 1st thot too at 1st glance! Yes, we were extra careful after that!
Great photos! I love that the dog goes too! The videos are fun too.
Thanks Yvette! We really enjoyed traveling with him!
We’re in peak fall foliage and see colorful leaves on our hikes. Your hike definitely seems more eventful with the snakes and lizards, so interesting and fun!
I prefer Fall foliage tho!! Haha
I really enjoyed the videos! Love that you took one of “Charlie” (what we’ve lovingly named all gecko’s)!
Haha I love that! Thanks Suzan!
I’m sure that even though he was harmless, seeing the snake was still a startling experience.
Yes a surprise right on our trail!
AHHHHHHH! I hate snakes! YIKES!!!!!
So you don’t think he was cute? Lol
Looks awesome! That snake though, I don’t think I could handle that!
At least he didn’t chase us!!
That looks like such a fun trip!
Yes it really was!
I’ve never seen a hognose snake before- adorable!
Haha you may be the 1st to say that!
I can’t believe all the wildlife you saw down Palo Duro Canyon. Pretty exiting for reptile lovers. 😉
No telling what is in that canyon! The lizard was pretty 🙂
Very informative! I love all your photos, minus the snake, ha!
Haha You didn’t think he was cute with his little curly tail?
Beautiful area! Would be wonderful to visit and take in all of the nature!
Yes and we had perfect weather for hiking.
Looks like a great spot for a hike!
Yes for sure!
This does look like a great time! I would be a little scared of the snake!
And his friends! Lol
I had never heard of this canyon before. Looks beautiful and fun to explore!
It ended up being a great canyon to explore!
Trit’s adorable. We use a doggie backpack for when they get tired. Works great!
May have to try that. He would probably fall asleep in it 🙂
What a beautiful place to visit and hike around!! Your videos are great! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Thanks Holly!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
WOW, how beautiful! I especially love the pictures of your adorable pup exploring with you! Hopefully he was able to chase off the snakes lol! I would love to go horseback riding where it says horses only! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Awe thanks! We enjoyed having him with us!! Love that they have horse trails too!