From bison and deer to birds of prey and snakes, theres something for everyone to enjoy. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and the West Texas wind. [17], Palo Duro Canyon hosts several activities throughout the park. As my friend Tim and I drove south from Amarillo, Texas, toward Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the flat panhandle of Texas, I began to doubt that the second-largest canyon in the United States actually existed. We need you! Over the next half-century, the canyon remained in private hands but was an increasingly popular tourist spot for residents. Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment located in the Texas Panhandle near the cities of Amarillo and Canyon. The Grand Canyon of Texas has 16 marked hiking trails ranging from easy, half-mile paths to longer trails that can connect to one another through winding rock formations. Erosion-resistant sandstones protect pedestals of underlying shale, giving rise to hoodoos, including the Lighthouse, and the hoodoo at the south end of Capitol Peak. Watch for plants with spines and thorns and stay a safe distance from all wildlife feral hogs and rattlesnakes included! Visitors to Palo Duro Canyon can observe wildlife throughout the park, but some areas are more conducive to wildlife viewing than others. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. Rex C. Buchanan, B. Brownie Wilson, Robert R. Buddemeier, and James J. Butler, Jr. 2. Every morning, a large flock of turkey wandered through, gobbling and showing off their plumes as we drank coffee and watched the sun rise over the canyon walls and hoodoos. Heide writes for numerous national and international publications and is an award-winning member of the Society for Professional Journalists, North American Travel Journalists Association, and Society of American Travel Writers. All photos are original to the author unless otherwise noted. There are primitive hike-in campgrounds with no amenities, campgrounds with nearby water and bathrooms, and RV sites. 11:30a to 12:30p. If you have a reservation and will be arriving at the park after 4:00pm, call the park at 806-488-2227 ext 220 prior to office closure for late arrival instructions. We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for both camping and day use. Sunflower A shaded 2.5 mile round-trip hike where visitors will get a unique look at the red sandstone layered with the contrasting colors created by gypsum crystals. Temperatures on the canyon floor can reach 120 degrees. The canyon is full of spectacular beauty and wildlife, making it one of the most visited destinations in the Lone Star State. Grid Card. This impressive gash in the Earth extends from the town of Canyon southeast to Silverton. The trailhead starts across the street from the Hackberry Campsite, and at about 1.5 miles, the terrain becomes less challenging and more rolling. On June 3 and June 4 - The park will be closed south of the stables. Bradley Kliemann. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind: Observe from a Safe Distance: Visitors should always observe wildlife from a safe distance and avoid approaching or feeding wild animals. At up to 800 feet deep, the canyon is filled with colors from 250 million years of geological layers. Join Ranger Bradley and learn about how the bison acted as a grocery store to the Comanche People. The Cow Camp Cabins are seven unique structures built by the CCC in 1933. Address. Many of the canyons plants and animals have strong natural defenses. The Mackenzie expedition captured about 1,200 of the Indians' horses and slaughtered them in nearby Tule Canyon during the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon. According to Texas State Parks, Palo Duro Canyon has been inhabited for about 12,000 years, starting with the Clovis and Folsom peoples, who hunted herds of mammoth and giant bison. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas - Campsite Electric. Theres no way there is a canyon out here.. Texas Parks and Wildlife. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. There is a decent amount of shade along the route, which is a rarity in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Page content has changed. Tim and I stayed at the Hackberry Campsite, one of four Palo Duro State Park campsites with water, electricity, and public restrooms. The Red River War between the U.S. Army and southern Plains Indians lasted from June 1874 to spring 1875, and on September 28, 1874, the 4th U.S. Cavalry launched a surprise attack at dawn on a camp of Comanches, Kiowas, and Cheyennes. [27] Upper Comanche The 6.6 mile round-trip trail is in the heart of Comanche territory that takes you across the ancient river that has shaped this canyon. Passerina ciris. Please input the date in MM dash DD dash YYYY format. One of our favorite hikes was a backcountry horseback riding trail that runs approximately 1.6 miles from the equestrian area and old west stables at Palo Duro State Park. CampersFifth Wheel RVsMotorhomesRepossessed RVs For Sale, Discover the Diverse Species of Wildlife at Palo Duro Canyon and How to Observe Them Safely, Palo Duro Canyon Wildlife Safeguards and Restrictions, visitors to Palo Duro Canyon can also enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Whether you are visiting for the day or overnight, you will need a reservation. Work Locations: SP-Palo Duro Canyon SP 11450 Park Road 5 Canyon 79015. Petroglyphs along the backcountry trails at Palo Duro Canyon. April 26, 2023 - All trails are closed due to rainy conditions. This is one of the extended routes in Palo Duro Canyon State Park that gives visitors a taste of all the beautiful scenery that the park has to offer. Stay on Designated Trails: Visitors should stay on designated trails to avoid disturbing wildlife habitats and to prevent unintentional encounters with dangerous animals. Map & Directions. They arent always present, so if you miss them when you arrive, be sure and stop by again a couple more times during your trip. 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. This trail is 9.3 km long with an elevation gain of 159 m. According to AllTrails.com, the longest wildlife trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is Rock Garden to Fortress Bluff Trail. July average high is 92 degrees. Patterns as a Creative Tool in Photography, How to Use symmetry to Create Stunning Images, Learn to use Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes, How & When to Use Lens Filters for Better Photos, Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge Birding Guide, 1-Week Yosemite, Kings Canyon, & Sequoia Itinerary, Breathtaking Sites In The Great Smoky Mountains, Detailed List Of 42 Central Texas State Parks, Your email address will not be published. Enjoy the views from the plateau where you can stand near the edge of the canyon and get a much-deserved breeze. For tickets, visit the TEXAS Outdoor Musical website. 0:53. Other species include wild turkey, white tail and . The state park's 28,000 acres take up a mere fraction of the actual canyon. Dont save them for the end of your trip or else you could miss them entirely. Length: 6.5 mi Est. Listen to tales the constellations around us while using the SkyGuide . With a descent of some 800 feet to the canyon floor and more than 16 miles of paved road, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers fantastic scenic views, historical sites and markers, picnic tables, public restrooms and showers, miles and miles of hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, a souvenir shop with grill, and a variety of camping & $22.40. Readily accessible by car, motorhome, or fifth wheel and only 25 miles from downtown Amarillo and 14 miles from the Mainstreet town of Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon is the most spectacular and scenic landscape feature in the Texas Panhandle. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. The trail leads from a large parking area and on a wide trail that travels through low shrub areas in a sandy environment. More information onglamping at Palo Duro Canyon. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) spent five years building the infrastructure of the park, and today, that legacy can be seen in what is now the visitor center, the cabins on the rim and canyon floor, and the trails. This route combines two trails to form a loop starting from Wolfberry Campground. This tour will take participants throughout the . 3459'05"N, 10142'06"W. From Amarillo: . Rock Garden Rock Garden Trail is a 4.8 mile round-trip hike with a rigorous incline that rewards hikers with the best views of the canyon. . Other species include wild turkey, white tail and mule deer, barbary sheep, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, roadrunners, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. All campers are required to check in at the park Headquarters before occupying a site. Visitors may hear their distinctive howls at night or spot them hunting in the parks grasslands.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'happyvagabonds_com-box-4','ezslot_10',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-happyvagabonds_com-box-4-0'); Bobcats: Bobcats are another predator that visitors may observe at Palo Duro Canyon. This hike provides great exercise with a few hills, but isnt too difficult. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. Note: Palo Duro Canyon is open for day use from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, but for the foreseeable future, all guests, including annual pass holders, must purchase day passes and/or overnight reservations in advance through the Texas State Parks Reservation System. The Lighthouse Trailhead has an information board and parking, but this is also the busiest hiking trail in Palo Duro State Park during the high season. Besides traveling and writing, Heide is also a professional Bellydancer, a medieval re-enactor, and a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City. New to Palo Duro Canyon: Glamping (luxury camping)! According to AllTrails.com, the longest wildlife trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is. The Texas State Bison Herd lives here, roaming some 10,000 acres. Roadside Geology of Texas. Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard, and Palo Duro Mouse. There are options for camping, with sites for tents with water access and RV campers alike. Learn about the bison who once roamed Palo Duro Canyon and their many uses to the Comanche People. Campsite Electric. The equestrian area has six primitive campsites, a corral and old west stables, and water nearby. Use landmarks to navigate fresh content. [6] The upper portion of the formation has thick deposits of caliche, very evident at the Coronado Lodge on the northwest rim of the canyon. This multicolored Triassic unit consists of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. The Rocky Mountain Junipers provide plenty of shade for resting near the spring-fed streams that flow through this majestic trail. Phone +1 806-488-2227. There is an immense diversity of wildlife inside the Palo Duro Canyon. Summer months are brutal, so the best time to hike is during the spring or fall, when its not too hot. Employee Status: Temporary. Juniper Cliffside The Juniper/Cliffside Trail is 6 miles round trip and has some decent views of the valley and percolation caves, which were carved by moving water in the sides of the cliffs. Phytosaur and Koskinonodon remains, plus leaf imprints and mineralized wood have been found within the formation. Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife | Canyon TX (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. The canyon is full of spectacular beauty and wildlife, making it one of the most visited destinations in the Lone Star State. Palo Duro Canyon was downcut by the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River, during the Pleistocene, when the whole region was uplifted. Arrival Date. Many visitors to Palo Duro Canyon State Park can spend days upon days exploring the canyon by foot, mountain bike, horse, or car. A multiple-use, 6mi (10km) round-trip loop trail is dedicated to the formation.[3]. Like the other campgrounds, this site has water and electricity as well as wonderful views of the west Texas landscape and rock formations. "[25], American composer Samuel Jones's Symphony No. White-tailed Deer: White-tailed deer are another common sight at Palo Duro Canyon. 10:00a to 11:00a. Contact the park or check our Facebook for trail status. Download to Your Calendar. Idyllic, natural circular hiking trail on the edge of the Geo-Naturpark Bergstrasse - Odenwald, Baden-Wrttemberg. Public Phone. ReserveAmerica.com occasionally posts affiliate products, which means ReserveAmerica.com will receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. We tackled the challenging and steep 2.4-mile Rock Garden Trail, which connects with the 3.7-mile Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail, where we spotted herds of aoudads and even two coyotes running through the brush. The Quartermaster and Tecovas Formations make up Capital Peak. Composed of coarse sandstone, river cross-bedding indicates deposition in a stream environment. With more than 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, outdoor adventurers can stay busy studying nature, birdwatching, hiking, or just taking in the scenery during a day trip from Amarillo. Campsites: Many of the campsites at Palo Duro Canyon offer great opportunities for wildlife viewing. The canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River, which initially winds along the level surface of the Llano Estacado of West Texas, then suddenly and dramatically runs off the Caprock Escarpment. Darton, N.H. 1898. The spectacle, created by playwright Paul Eliot Green, premiered on July 1, 1966, at the newly constructed Pioneer Amphitheatre in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Palo Duro Canyon (from the Spanish meaning "hard stick")[2] has been named "The Grand Canyon of Texas" both for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls, which are similar to those in the Grand Canyon. You hike through deep forests on natural paths and watch the wild animals in their natural . Once you arrive at the park: as you pull forward, the stone building on the left (Headquarters) will have maps and brochures on the porch. from. Texas Master Naturalists Panhandle Chapter. All rights reserved. Come early for a barbecue dinner on our covered patio. CANYON TX 79015. Several members of the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd live at the park. The Flora and Fauna of Palo Duro Canyon. [7], The Ogallala Formation is a late Miocene to early Pliocene unit which forms the cliffs and ledges at the very top of the canyon. Mesquite Campground. Download to Your Calendar. Palo Duro Canyon is a beautiful place, but its environment can be harsh. Wildlife at Palo Duro Canyon Palo Duro Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. "[22] She made paintings of Palo Duro Canyon between 1916 and 1918, when she was an instructor and head of the art department at West Texas State Normal College. Click Here For More Information and to Sign Up, Post Your Work Camper or Camp Host Job For Free By Clicking Here. [6] A prominent band of jointed white sandstone about 15ft (5m) thick marks the middle of this 200ft (60m) formation. Contact the park, or check our Facebook page, for trail status. This trail is full of stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Clickherefor the disclosure statement. Due to diverse habitats, Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard, and Palo Duro Mouse. Free. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is one of the best shorter hikes to do in the area, and therefore is extremely popular and can be crowded. [10][11] Fossils of saber-toothed cats (Smilodon), bone-crushing dogs (Borophagus), mastodons, horses, long-necked camels (Aepycamelus), rhinoceroses, and large tortoises up to 3 feet in length, are present in the Ogallala. On our first morning in Palo Duro Canyon, Tim and I woke just as the sun was beginning to glow to start hiking. Four groups of veterans, two groups of African Americans, and one junior group took part in various construction projects, starting with the construction of Park Road 5, a two-lane road from the rim to the floor of the canyon. 11450 PARK ROAD 5. The trail is mostly flat and travels over a sandy surface, and then halfway on the Juniper Cliffside Trail there is a spur trail that leads to a scenic overlook. This trail is estimated to be 15.1 km long. Rocky Mountain juniper 3. [12] The siltstone and sandstone have been cemented by silica, which gives rise to the occurrence of common opal and almost-chert pockets. Charles N. Gould made a geologic map of the canyon and named the formations in 1905.
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