Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
4.5
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A dramatic 60-mile long and 800-foot deep canyon noted for its excellent hiking, birding, fishing and mountain biking.
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2 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,355 reviews
Excellent
1,714
Very good
495
Average
104
Poor
25
Terrible
17
Pat M
Richmond, TX30 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Nice park. We drove through on a road trip. It would be great for campers and adventurers. Only missing a lake! It is a nice outdoors area with adventures to be found.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice G
Jacksonville, FL36 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Love this park. We camped inside the beautiful canyon. The best part was hiking to the Lighthouse rock formation. This is our second year in a row to camp here. The rangers were extremely nice and helpful last year when our truck broke down at the bottom of the canyon.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phillipfrazier
Willow Park, TX146 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Canyon was cool. Lived in Texas for over 70 years and never been there. Boing back next month for "Texas".
Written 4 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina B
Louisiana2,613 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We traveled a little out of the way to see this. Was it worth it ? Although it is pretty and has some wonderful views of the canyon walls, we have seen that just and more traveling through some western states. So will leave it up to what you have seen in life. If you may never get to some other areas out west it may be for you. It had some nice looking campgrounds on the bottom. Roads are not that scary as I read. If campers can go down …it’s not that steep or long to the bottom. We have traveled on much higher and narrower roads. We only did the loop, but even if we had more time there was nothing that drew me to hike any of them. I believe we spent about 45 mins- hour from first look out & back.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dshoe8616
Springfield, MO44 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Such a great park to visit! There are all ranges of trails from easy level ground to serious hiking. The views are awesome.
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DayTrippin'66
Amarillo, TX8 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Relaxing and beautiful right here in the Texas Panhandle! Before the entrance there is a new mercantile store/event center with craft beer and wine and good food. From their patio you can see the longhorns roaming around. The zipline looks amazing.
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akv
The Netherlands35 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
No comparison to Grand Canyon, but lovely park to visit though.we were very early, the lady at the entrance needed alot of time for every car. When we got out of the park there was a large traffic jam of at least 30 cars.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greatauntie27
Prior Lake, MN58 contributions
Apr 2023
My young adult relative and I enjoyed our time. He took a hike and we drove down to the bottom of the canyon. There many hiking trails.
I’ve been to The Grand Canyon, but you can’t drive to the bottom, obviously.
For my nephew it was a great introduction to a big canyon and the desert area.
Depending on your stamina you could stay the better part of a day or more or as little as 2 hours.
I’ve been to The Grand Canyon, but you can’t drive to the bottom, obviously.
For my nephew it was a great introduction to a big canyon and the desert area.
Depending on your stamina you could stay the better part of a day or more or as little as 2 hours.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul L
37 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Amazing views contained in a relatively small area. The colors are amazing. Hiked up to the Lighthouse and found the view more than worth the effort. Trails are well maintained up to the final .1 mile. It will take a little effort if you're not used to climbing, but it is definitely doable. Enjoy the view from the top. On the way into or out of the park, stop by the Sad Monkey Mercatile. The place has a great vibe...from camping supplies to local wines and beers on tap.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whistle-pig
Texas78 contributions
Mar 2023
The favorite part of the park for my family was the hiking. Definitely a trail for everyone! Park staff was so very friendly and knowledgeable. We’ll be back!
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverly H
Murfreesboro, TN137 contributions
Traveling in for three days the end of May, would love to hike and explore as much as we can. Am a little concerned about the closures I see with rain. Does rain generally close the entire park or just some trails?
Planning a trip to Palo Duro Canyon in early July, staying in one of the campgrounds within the park. We would like to hike the lighthouse trail, but obviously the heat will be a major factor in whether or not that’s possible. For anyone who has hiked that trail, is it worth doing just the first part without going all the way to lighthouse? Not sure if we would have time to get all the way up to lighthouse and back down before the heat gets too crazy. Also, I see it’s recommended to bring 1 gallon of water per person per mile! Not sure how we would each carry 6 gallons of water?! Would love to hear from anyone with experience.
Whistle-pig
Texas78 contributions
We have hiked Lighthouse twice, used hydration packs and also had water bottles in the side pockets. Both times were in April with one being cold and brutally windy and the other was hotter than expected. I really like this trail and would try it even if I could only cover the beginning. Maybe talk with one of the park rangers before setting out.... They are really outstanding and knowledgeable at this park. Have a great trip!
What is the weather like first part of April? I don't handle heat well. Also,is there trails for the unexperienced hiker?
Tahlequahlity
Tahlequah129 contributions
It is chilly in the morning (in the 40s F)and warms up during the day (70s F). There are a variety of trails for all levels of hikers.
Be sure to get a map when you check in at the ranger station at the entrance. Go to their website for more information.
Diane S
York, PA
Is there somewhere to park our motorhome for the day and use our car to explore the park?
chrislbowen
Wiesbaden, Germany246 contributions
I believe that they had parking available, but I honestly can't remember.
Sam
Buda, TX
Is there swimming in Palo Duro Canyon Star Park? If not in the park, any good swimming holes around there?
Persistent
Saltillo, TX273 contributions
Im not sure we did see a creek maybe 18" deep 3-4' wide it may widen out and deepen at some point sorry I can't be more help
What is the temperature around April 6-13 going to be
Rachel D
Houston, TX19 contributions
Texas weather is bipolar so I recommend a lot of layers. We went at the end of Dec and it was really cold but once you get going and the suns out you warm up. Don't forget a lot of water and sunscreen!
Do I need a resevation to enter the park for a car drive
Jerry M
Yukon, OK2,910 contributions
Yes. They book up quick! Very limited cars and people allowed into the park. Go early
Karen B
San Antonio, TX69 contributions
Have any suggestions of good places to stay while visiting Palo Duró Park. Our camping days are done. Need a nice getaway while enjoying hiking in the daytime.
clpayne
Missouri City, TX1,522 contributions
We also stayed at Canyon Rim Cabins literally just outside the park entrance. PERFECT!! $90 nt AND pet friendly. We prefer staying directly in the parks to go back and forth all day, but TX state parks don’t allow dogs in cabin rentals. Shame on TX bc OK and Arkansas do. We often take our tourism $$ out of state for this reason.
I wrote a very thorough review on the canyon rim cabin Facebook page from our recent wk long stay. Can’t get any closer to the park than this. Canyon is 15-20 min away and Amarillo is approx 30 min away. Too far for us!
Feel free to ask questions! Happy to help bc I’m always fussy about where we stay!
Texas Red
Arlington, TX13 contributions
Are any of the bike trails wide enough for me to tow a child carriage behind my bike with toddlers?
clpayne
Missouri City, TX1,522 contributions
Not in my opinion unless you are very skilled and have a mtn bike. We spent a wk there this month. Brought our dog bike trailer and never used it. There are a few trails with sections wide enough, but getting your bike and trailer to those sections requires skill and/or mtn bikes. We have mtn bikes and are above beginner level bikers and still didn’t try it. Also, your bike trailer would go home FILTHY! Everything we own was covered in orange canyon dust after our week of play time in the Canyon including the dog! 😂
Sorry for the disappointing news, but we were let down too!
greyhoundgrrrl
Madrid, NM108 contributions
I'm thinking of visiting Palo Duro sometime between March-May 2021 (if possible, who knows what will be going on in the world then). We will have a young child and be tent camping. Which of those 3 months would be the best in regards to weather?
Also, any campground/campsite recommendations? We'd like a little space and shade if we can find it. We want to camp in the park.
Agatag
Lubbock, TX170 contributions
March is quite wet here, May would be the better month.
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- We recommend booking Palo Duro Canyon State Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Palo Duro Canyon State Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Palo Duro Canyon State Park:
- (0.08 km) Lighthouse at Doves Rest Cabins on the West Rim
- (0.33 km) Lone Star Mini Cabin at Palo Duro Canyon Rim
- (0.09 km) Glamping Cabins in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- (0.11 km) Glamping Cabins in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- (1.10 km) Doves Rest Cabins – StageCoach, on North Rim
- Attractions near Palo Duro Canyon State Park:
- (0.01 km) Old West Stables
- (0.07 km) Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West
- (0.44 km) Palo Duro Creek Ranch
- (0.37 km) Palo Duro Zip Line
- (0.44 km) Elkins Ranch