Grand Canyon of Texas

The second-largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park; experience the canyon’s rugged beauty and enjoy its colorful history.

Things to Do

Explore the canyon by foot, mountain bike, horse, or car. We have more than 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Camp, geocache, study nature or bird watch. During the summer, enjoy a performance of TEXAS Outdoor Musical.

Choose from campsites with water and electricity, tent sites, equestrian sites, or backpack camping areas. Stay in one of three cabins on the canyon’s rim or four Cow Camp cabins on the canyon floor. Rent one of our pavilions for a wedding, reunion, or meeting.

New to Palo Duro Canyon: Glamping (luxury camping)! Each glamping site is fully furnished with air conditioning, luxury rustic furnishings, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, games, bicycles, gas grills and gas fire pits, covered porches with rockers, porch swings, and much more. More information on glamping at Palo Duro Canyon.

Stop by the Visitor Center on the canyon rim to learn more about the park. The park store at the Visitor Center sells books, pottery, jewelry, and more. Look for souvenirs, snacks, and meals at The Trading Post on the canyon floor.

Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map.

Trails and backpack campsites may close due to wet weather or poor conditions. Contact the park, or check our Facebook page, for trail status.

Horseback riding

Ride on trails through 1,500 acres set aside for horseback riding. You can also share two other trails with hikers and mountain bikers.

• Bring your own horses (original Coggins papers required). Park your trailer at the equestrian campground. Bring a water bucket for your horse.
• Take a guided tour. Old West Stables on the canyon floor leads tours for the whole family to Timber Creek Canyon. They also offer souvenirs and a snack bar. Reservations required; call (806) 488-2180.

TEXAS Outdoor Musical

TEXAS Outdoor Musical runs Tuesdays through Sundays in the summer at the Pioneer Amphitheater in the park. Watch the stories, struggles, and triumphs of early settlers. The family-friendly show has singing, dancing, fireworks, and lots of Texas humor!

Come early for a barbecue dinner on our covered patio.

For tickets, visit the TEXAS Outdoor Musical website.

Get involved

We need you! Visit our Volunteer page and search by zip code (79015) to see how you can help. Or visit the Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation website to learn about other ways to help.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Ranger Programs

We offer programs on the park’s history and natural features. Learn about birds or Longhorn cattle, or take a driving tour with a park ranger. Visit our Events page for upcoming programs. Call the park to schedule a group program.

Civilian Conservation Corps:  Workers with the CCC built Palo Duro Canyon State Park more than 70 years ago. Learn more on our History page.

• Interpretive Guide to Palo Duro Canyon
• Birds of Palo Duro Canyon State Park:  A Field Checklist
• Palo Duro Canyon Junior Naturalist Program
• Destination:  Palo Duro Canyon (Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine)

Attractions

• Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
• Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Amarillo:  Don’t miss the Amarillo Zoo, Don Harrington Discovery Center, Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, and more.
• Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
• Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument