Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park consists of 16,402 acres in Armstrong
and Randall Counties, south of Amarillo. The land was deeded by private owners in 1933 and
was opened to the public in 1934. All of the beautiful stone buildings in the park, as
well as the amphitheater, were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during
the 1930s. The amphitheater is the scene of the annual summer production of the drama,
"Texas."
The Park's History:
The spectacular scenic canyon, one million years old, exposes rocks spanning about
200-million years of geological time. The canyon was home for prehistoric Indians nearly
12,000 years ago. Coronado may have visited the canyon in 1541. Officially discovered by
Captain R. B. Marcy in 1852, this canyon was the scene of a decisive battle in 1874
between Comanche and Kiowa Indians and U.S. Army troops under General Ranald Mackenzie. It
was also the scene of an
early ranch undertaking started by Charles Goodnight in 1876. Part of the Texas longhorn
herd is kept here.
Park Activities:
Camping; horseback riding; hiking; horse rentals; fishing; geological study; nature study;
mountain biking; and scenic drives are all attractions.
Tours:
Join us on a horseback trail ride to the famous Lighthouse Rock formation that has served
as an icon for the Canyon. The tour begins at the Goodnight Riding Stables and takes you
on a four - five hour trip to the Lighthouse exploring Sunday Canyon, picnicking near
Castlerock, and experiencing the Great Palo Duro up close and personal. Per person fee;
minimum six people. Contact the park for fees and details.
The Park's Facilities:
Facilities include 2 cabins (4 single beds, no kitchen, no linens furnished); campsites
with water and electricity; campsites with water (some campsites have shade shelters); a
hike-in primitive area (1/2 to 3/4 miles in; no ground fires; containerized fuel only;
water 1/2 to 3/4 miles away); a hike-in, primitive, equestrian area (has water and pens
for horses; no tables or fire rings); backpack campsites (1/2 to 2 miles; potable water at
trailhead; restrooms 1/4 mile from parking; pets allowed overnight); an overflow/late
arrival camping area; a trailer dump station; a visitor center with exhibits on history,
natural history, and geology; a restoration of a line shack used by the first commercial
cattle ranch in the Texas panhandle in 1876; Pioneer Amphitheater which seats 1742;
Goodnight Trading Post, which has camping supplies, snacks, souvenirs, and mountain bike
rental; a horseback riding area, where you can trailer in horses for the day only or rent
from the stables in the park; a playground; and 22.9 miles of trails for horseback riding,
hiking, and biking; 10 miles for mountain biking; be sure to stop by the Texas State Park
Store.
Special Conditions:
Any cabin reservation for either Friday or Saturday must include
both nights. Hotel/motel tax is added to cabin rates.
Flora/Fauna:
Along the eastern edge of the Texas high plains, the distinctive canyon country with
spectacular erosive geological features, separates the high caprock escarpment from the
lower, rolling plains of north-central Texas. Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River winds
down off of the caprock, then eastward. Given a few-million years of time and the erosive
action of wind and water, this seemingly insignificant stream has carved out a rugged,
scenic canyon to almost 800-feet deep and several miles long.
Directions:
The park is located about 12 miles east of Canyon on State Highway 217. From Amarillo,
take Interstate 27 south to State Highway 217, and go east 8 miles.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: 3676. Weather: Average annual rainfall 20.6; average January minimum 19;
average July maximum 92. Open: 7 days a week year-round. Busy Season: Summer months during
the play season.
Area Attractions:
Nearby activities include Storyland Zoo for Children, Nielsen Memorial Museum, Lake
Meredith, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum,
West Texas A&M University, and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. For more details,
call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.