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Palo Duro Canyon is a treasure trove of wildlife, and visitors to the park have the opportunity to observe a diverse range of species in their natural habitat. As the second-largest canyon system in the United States, Palo Duro Canyon is 120 miles long and 20 miles wide. Trails may close due to wet weather or poor conditions. Come early for a barbecue dinner on our covered patio. Visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park; experience the canyon's rugged beauty and enjoy its colorful history. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. This facility offers the following options. Apache Indians lived in Palo Duro at the time, but they were later displaced by Comanche and Kiowa tribes, who had the advantage of owning horses brought over by the Spanish. Bradley Kliemann. 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. Juniper/riverside The Juniper-Riverside Trail is 2.2 miles long and flat, perfect for beginners or those looking to take it easy on their feet. Learn more on our History page. Palo Duro Canyon State Park. There is a decent amount of shade along the route, which is a rarity in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It is an out and back detour, so you can go for as long or as little as you want. [20], Group sites and spaces are available for group retreats, youth groups, and weddings. from. Page content has changed. 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. Here are some of the species that visitors may observe while exploring the park: Bison: Bison are one of the most iconic species at Palo Duro Canyon. [27] Public Phone. Canyon, TX 79015-8747, USA. Upon arrival, it was determined a vehicle had left the roadway near the picnic area at Lookout Point and was on fire approximately 500 to 600 feet below the ledge on private property. Campsites: Many of the campsites at Palo Duro Canyon offer great opportunities for wildlife viewing. This tour will take participants throughout the . Other species include wild turkey, white tail and . The Visitor Center, scenic overlook, Trading Post, Glamping, and Old West Stables will remain open. Operated by The Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, one of the canyons most impressive man-made attractions is The Canyon Gallery.. 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. Ride on trails through 1,500 acres set aside for horseback riding. Similarly, many of the insects in the canyon can be quite pesky (to say the least). Palo Duro State Park has numerous campsites with water and electricity, tent sites, equestrian sites, and backpack camping areas. ReserveAmerica.com occasionally posts affiliate products, which means ReserveAmerica.com will receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. If you plan to spend a lot of time in Texas and near Amarillo, consider a Texas State Park Pass, which offers unlimited visits to more than 90 state parks without paying the daily entrance fee. Fossils are rare. Septarian calcite concretions and calcite geodes are numerous, and the shale forms the less steep canyon walls covered by talus slopes. TPWD - Seasonal Customer Service Representative I Job Opening in Canyon Feel free to take any of these you need to navigate to your site. The trading post is also the only gas station and fast-casual restaurant in the park. We offer programs on the parks history and natural features. The CCC The Civilian Conservation Corps created this 2.8 mile round-trip in the 1930s to gain access to the canyon floor. Despite being home to the second-largest canyon in the country, Palo Duro Canyon State Park often flies under the radar for many travelers. January average low is 19 degrees. The Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa also called Palo Duro Canyon home, but the canyon is also the site of one of the darkest moments for Native Americans. This layer was deposited in a near-shore shallow-marine environment consisting of siltstones and shales with ripple marks and cross bedding, that alternated with dry tidal flats indicated by satin spar gypsum and halite cast evaporite deposits. Second in size only to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Palo Duro Canyon was formed by millions of years of relentless Texas winds and water erosion from the unassuming Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. In 1976, Palo Duro Canyon State Park was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. We were lucky to score the last available campsite when we visited, and although it was a bit of a hike to the restroom, I thought it had the best views in the park. Use landmarks to navigate fresh content. Texas state parks are so popular some parks were turning visitors away when they met max capacity, so I recommend getting a day pass to guarantee your entry. Rent one of our pavilions for a wedding, reunion or meeting. 3 is titled "Palo Duro Canyon." [19] In addition, lodging cabins are available for rent that sit on the outer rim of the canyon, providing an impressive view of both the canyon and the sunrise. You can also receive discounts on camping, park store merchandise, equipment rental discounts, eligibility for other specials. Throughout the park, you may spot woodpeckers, road runners, lizards, and prairie dogs while hiking about. [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. The Texas State Bison Herd lives here, roaming some 10,000 acres. My 7 Favorite U.S. Mountain Towns To Visit In The Summer, 5 Unique Stays In Rhodes, Greece With A View, 13 Highs, Lows, And Key Insights From My Years As A Freelance Writer On Travel And Other Themes, 12 Incredible Things To Do During A Long Weekend In Laredo, Texas, 12 Ways To Spend A Great Day In Charming Brenham, Texas, 6 Fantastic Restaurants To Try In Lubbock, Texas, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, three cabins on the canyons rim or four Cow Camp cabins on the canyon floor, 10 Fantastic Experiences At Dinosaur Valley State Park, 12 Incredible Texas State Parks For Stargazing, We Rated The Best Hiking Shoes On The Market. Palo Duro Canyon has several geocaching sites to discover. On June 3 and June 4 - The park will be closed south of the stables. The trail is well-maintained but be on the lookout for a couple of creek crossings where the trail is more obscure in areas. The park store at the Visitor Center sells books, pottery, jewelry and more. Palo Duro Canyon State Park While you will be hiking parallel to Park Road 5 Alternate, there is plenty to see and observe along this route. Mesquite Campground. Paseo Del Rio 2 mile round-trip hike along the river offers a view of the Cowboy dugout where Cowboys lived in the 1880s and common wildlife sightings. Work Locations: SP-Palo Duro Canyon SP 11450 Park Road 5 Canyon 79015. Lower Comanche A challenging but beautiful 8.8 mile hiking experience awaits beneath the craggy face of Fortress Cliff. 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. 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. The trailhead starts across the street from the Hackberry Campsite, and at about 1.5 miles, the terrain becomes less challenging and more rolling. Learn about the bison who once roamed Palo Duro Canyon and their many uses to the Comanche People. Stop by the Visitor Center on the canyon rim to learn more about the park. More information onglamping at Palo Duro Canyon. 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. The trail leads from a large parking area and on a wide trail that travels through low shrub areas in a sandy environment. Take these safety precautions to make your visit to the canyon safer: Temperatures on the canyon floor can reach 120 degrees. You may use containerized fuel stoves with a shut-off valve or on/off switch for cooking. The Quartermaster and Tecovas Formations make up Capital Peak. The sheriff's office stated that the incident is still under investigation, but at this time, the information gathered indicates no foul play or accident and that the incident included a single intentional fatality. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas - Camping & Reservations Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Following park regulations will ensure that both visitors and animals remain safe and that the wildlife at Palo Duro Canyon continues to thrive for generations to come. 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. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best wildlife trail to hike in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is The Lighthouse Trail, which has a 4.7 star rating from 2,848 reviews. Additional Information. Arrival Date. The Givens Spicer Lowery Trail also connects to one of the most popular trails the Lighthouse Trail, a three-mile easy, more-or-less flat path that leads to The Lighthouse, one of the most impressive and famous rock formations in Palo Duro Canyon. This is one of the most famous rock formations that can be very busy during the main visiting season. Join us in celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks with an evening of s'mores. A guide to the most common and interesting species located in the Palo Duro Canyon ecosystem. This meant the more resistant Ogallala and Trujillo formations formed the steeper walls of the canyon.[6]. For tickets, visit the TEXAS Outdoor Musical website. [15], Seven units of the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the park from 1933 until 1937. Please use a JavaScript enabled browser in order to access the full functionality of this site. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. So what do you need for Palo Duro Canyon? Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00. "Palo Duro Canyon State Park Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Logan G. Carver, "Palo Duro Canyon quick getaway from Lubbock", "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)", "Park Passes Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Palo Duro Canyon State Park Campsites Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Palo Duro Canyon State Park Horse Sites Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Palo Duro Canyon State Park Lodging Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Palo Duro Canyon State Park Group Sites Texas Parks & Wildlife Department", "Birth of the abstract: Georgia O'Keeffe in Amarillo", "Walter Piston, Samuel Jones, Stephen Albert American Symphonies BIS2118 [DM] Classical Music Reviews: June 2018 ", Texas Parks and Wildlife: Palo Duro Canyon, Handbook of Texas Online: Palo Duro Canyon, Public domain images of the Llano Estacado and West Texas, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Palo Duro State Park, Unique Perspectives of Palo Duro Canyon; Pictures and Panoramas, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area, Barrington Living History Farm at Washington-on-the-Brazos, List of National Natural Landmarks in Texas, National Register of Historic Places Sites, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palo_Duro_Canyon&oldid=1150936867, Protected areas of Armstrong County, Texas, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 22:22. There are beautiful viewpoints along the entirety of the trail, and a decent amount of elevation gain is broken up between many switchbacks. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Palo Duro. All 200. A rancher named Charles Goodnight founded the JA Ranch in the canyon in 1876 with John Adair, and by 1885, the ranch boasted 100,000 head of cattle and 1,325,000 acres of land. The Juniper campsite is the first campground youll see after entering the park and passing the visitor center. 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. Palo Duro Canyon, located in the Texas Panhandle, is a stunning natural wonder that is often referred to as the " Grand Canyon of Texas." This spectacular landscape is home to an array of wildlife and provides visitors with a breathtaking view of its majestic red cliffs and deep canyons. Map & Directions. Never begin a hike without at least a half-gallon of water per person, per hour. "[26] A KACV-TV documentary on the canyon, composer, and symphony, titled And There Will Be Sounds, was broadcast on PBS stations nationally later that year; and a commercial recording was subsequently released by the Seattle Symphony under the baton of Gerard Schwarz. Download to Your Calendar. Kfertal (Mannheim) - Wikipedia By far, the most popular activity in the canyon is hiking. 11450 PARK ROAD 5. Campsite Electric. When Palo Duro Canyon does come into view, its sudden and shocking. At Lake Theo, take a dip or try your hand at catching bass, trout or catfish. [18] There are also sites for keeping horses available to campers planning to horseback ride in the canyon. It premiered May 1, 1992, in an outdoor performance at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park's Pioneer Amphitheatre, with James Setapen conducting the Amarillo Symphony (which had commissioned the work). The trail starts at the top of the canyon and travels to the low point in the canyon. 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. Wildlife at Palo Duro Canyon Palo Duro Canyon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. If youre not into roughing it, then Palo Duro Canyon offers all kinds of accommodations from cliff side cabins with a view to air-conditioned glamping tents. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas - Campsite Electric. Col. Goodnight helped manage the ranch until 1890. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of Nebraska west of the. Weather conditions can change rapidly and flash flooding can pose a serious danger. White-tailed Deer: White-tailed deer are another common sight at Palo Duro Canyon. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. Juniper Trail: The Juniper Trail is another great place to observe wildlife. Youre close enough to Amarillo, however, if camping isnt your style, you can find plenty of hotels in the Texas Panhandle within an hour or so. [13], In 1931, a major landowner signed a two-year contract with the local chamber of commerce to allow public access to the canyon. The land was deeded by private owners in 1933. . Texas Master Naturalists Panhandle Chapter. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map. Having a good insect repellant close at hand can sometimes be a necessity. Whether youre a seasoned wildlife observer or just looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Palo Duro Canyon, theres no shortage of incredible sights to discover. The land remained under American Indian control until a military expedition led by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie was sent in 1874 to remove the Indians to reservations in Oklahoma. Take I 27 South approximately 18 miles to Canyon. Composed of coarse sandstone, river cross-bedding indicates deposition in a stream environment. Go East on Hwy 217 for 10 miles to the park entrance. It has continued each summer through the present, making Texas "the best-attended outdoor history drama in the nation. Palo Duro Canyon State Park Copyright 2022 Aperture Adventure. I think theyre fooling us, I joked. Visitors should take care when hiking in the park and avoid disturbing these dangerous creatures. 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. Fri, May 26, 2023. 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. Large blocks of this sandstone, due to mass wasting, are found along the flanks and base of the peak. Palo Duro Canyon State Park: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy 11450 Park Road 5 Visitors can spend a day driving the 16 mile Pala Duro Canyon State Park road, which features scenic overlooks and short trails. Needless to say, that was a surprise we didnt expect. This is a beautiful trail that gives visitors the best experience of the trails at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. You can still see remnants of 4 original bridges along the trail. On Monday . Download to Your Calendar. So pack your binoculars, grab your hiking boots, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Palo Duro Canyon. 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. Main page; Contents; Current events; Random article; About Wikipedia; Contact us; Donate; Help; Learn to edit; Community portal; Recent changes; Upload file 2023 Best 10 Trail Running Trails in Mannheim | AllTrails This multicolored Triassic unit consists of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. Many visitors to Palo Duro Canyon State Park can spend days upon days exploring the canyon by foot, mountain bike, horse, or car. The Flora and Fauna of Palo Duro Canyon iNaturalist Over the next half-century, the canyon remained in private hands but was an increasingly popular tourist spot for residents. 11:30a to 12:30p. 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. Visit our Events page for upcoming programs. Built of native stone near the top of the canyon in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, its large windows overlook the canyon, providing a spectacular view of its splendor. Schwarz, Gerard (conductor); Seattle Symphony. Please use a JavaScript enabled browser in order to access the full functionality of this site. Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife | Canyon TX Several members of the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd live at the park. Geocaching is a treasure-hunting game where participants use a GPS to find (or hide) geocache containers, which contain small treasures and logbooks for participants to sign. 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. Temperatures on the canyon floor can reach 120 degrees. Palo Duro is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in Texas! #3 - Lighthouse Trail via Givens, Spicer, and Lowry Trail. Take these safety precautions to make your visit to the canyon safer: Texas Master Naturalists Panhandle Chapter. The park's runner-up is Rock Garden via Lower Comanche Trail, which will get you 266 m of elevation gain. Your email address will not be published. Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Oklahoma. Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife Bradley Kliemann. Map & Directions. The vast and beautiful Palo Duro Canyon is a must-see destination for anyone traveling near Amarillo, Texas. 10. LATE ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS: Mule Deer 1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas - Legends of America Self-guided Tours from $10.00 per adult Explore Amarillo with a Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest Self-guided Tours from $10.00 per adult The area 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015-8747 Full view Best nearby Restaurants 1 within 3 miles Palo Duro Trading Post 62 0 ft$ American See all Attractions 2 within 6 miles Elkins Ranch 66 Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment located in the Texas Panhandle near the cities of Amarillo and Canyon. One of the best-known and the major signature feature of the canyon is the Lighthouse Rock. They had contact with traders, called Comancheros, in nearby New Mexico. The formation includes a basal, middle, and upper sandstone members, separated by shales. 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. Luisenpark (Mannheim) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Rex C. Buchanan, B. Brownie Wilson, Robert R. Buddemeier, and James J. Butler, Jr. The Rock Garden Trail is steep in some places, but luckily, there are plenty of places to rest and recover from the west Texas heat. 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. We spent a long, spring weekend at Palo Duro Canyon, which offers long, challenging hiking trails, flat scenic walks, stunning views, historical sites and markers, horseback riding, and a variety of camping. Your browser does not support JavaScript! Contact the park, or check our Facebook page, for trail status. We need you! With more than 30 miles of trails to choose from, including the Upper Comanche Trail that weaved right through our campsite (Hackberry), we ended up hiking 17 miles that first day. Listen to tales the constellations around us while using the SkyGuide . A multiple-use, 6mi (10km) round-trip loop trail is dedicated to the formation.[3]. PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, Canyon, TX Building Up and Tearing Down Texas Parks & Wildlife Department These rocks are fossiliferous, containing the remains of phytosaurs, amphibians, and fish,[8] including Metoposaurus, Desmatosuchus, Koskinonodon, and lungfish, besides coprolites and the petrified wood remains of Araucarioxylon. Stay on Designated Trails: Visitors should stay on designated trails to avoid disturbing wildlife habitats and to prevent unintentional encounters with dangerous animals. Snakes: Palo Duro Canyon is also home to several species of snakes, including rattlesnakes and copperheads. Download to Your Calendar. Learn about birds or Longhorn cattle, or take a driving tour with a park ranger. Palo Duro Canyon was downcut by the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River, during the Pleistocene, when the whole region was uplifted. Due to diverse habitats, Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard, and Palo Duro Mouse. Explore the most popular wildlife trails in Palo Duro Canyon State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard, and Palo Duro Mouse. Please check in with Headquarters by 9:00AM the next morning and bring the license plate information for all vehicles and trailers associated with your reservation. The second largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Things To Do | Palo Duro Canyon State Park Which wildlife trail has the most elevation gain in Palo Duro Canyon State Park? Other projects included the headquarters building, culverts, low-water crossings, bridges, Spring House, Well House, the Coronado Lodge interpretive center, 4 overnight cabins known as Cow Camp, and the 3 rim cabins. Canyon, TX Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX - ReserveAmerica If youre looking for more than just a glimpse, then I would recommend staying multiple days camping and hiking through some remote areas. Paved roads to the visitor center in the second-largest canyon in the U.S. can also be reached by bicycle, though you should be cautious of cars and other traffic at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Some of the sites can hold a 60-foot RV. [7], Headward erosion by the Prairie Dog Town fork of the Red River, into the caprock escarpment of the Llano Estacado, caused differential erosion. Youll be able to see a great deal of the second-largest canyon in the United States along this hiking trail. 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. Petroglyphs along the backcountry trails at Palo Duro Canyon. It is composed of sandstone, siltstone, and conglomerate eroded from a late Cenozoic uplift of the Rocky Mountains, and is separated from the lower Trujillo Formation by a disconformity, representing a long hiatus. [1] As the second-largest canyon in the United States, it is roughly 120mi (190km) long and has an average width of 6mi (9.7km), but reaches a width of 20mi (32km) at places. 2h 20m. [7], The Trujillo Formation is a Triassic formation that is harder than the underlying Tecovas and forms many of the Canyon's ledges. With soaring windows that give an impressive view of the canyon and its rock formations, the Canyon Gallery is full of nature exhibits, archeological discoveries of west Texas, and Southwest art. Afterward, the trail becomes more wide and flat while the canyon walls offer lots of views. Trails and backpack campsites may close due to wet weather or poorconditions. Employee Status: Temporary. 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. The equestrian area at Palo Duro Canyon State Park has about 1,500 acres, and many of the trails in the equestrian area are strictly for horses for a leisurely getaway. Passerina ciris. With extreme summer heats on the canyon floor, you can easily become overwhelmed by heat exhaustion and dehydration. (806) 452-9844. bradley.kliemann@tpwd.texas.gov. One person is dead after investigators believe they intentionally drove off the highway near Lookout Point in Palo Duro Canyon on Monday morning, authorities confirmed Wednesday. (Latitude, Longitude) 34.98472, -101.70167. 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. There are options for camping, with sites for tents with water access and RV campers alike. The Flora and Fauna of Palo Duro Canyon. Click Here For More Information and to Sign Up, Post Your Work Camper or Camp Host Job For Free By Clicking Here. per group (up to 5) Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour. Please input the date in MM dash DD dash YYYY format. What is the longest wildlife trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park? Roadside Geology of Texas. Phone +1 806-488-2227. Nicknamed The Grand Canyon of Texas because of its size, stunning geological features, multicolored layers of rock, hoodoos, and steep mesa walls, Palo Duro Canyon is also the second-largest state park in the state parks system, and it features 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails (PDF). Visitors to Palo Duro Canyon can observe wildlife throughout the park, but some areas are more conducive to wildlife viewing than others. Summer months are brutal, so the best time to hike is during the spring or fall, when its not too hot. 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. Download to Your Calendar. Information: 806-488-2227. July average high is 92 degrees. The last 200 yards heading up to the lighthouse are #5 - Givens, Spicer & Lowry Trail to the Lighthouse Trail and Paseo del Rio.