National park · United States
Palo Duro Canyon State ParkPalo Duro Canyon
Give it a full day, not a drive-through: enter before 9:00, walk the 5.75-mile round trip to the Lighthouse, and in July–August add the evening musical at the canyon-floor amphitheatre.Give it a full day, not a drive-through: enter before 9:00 AM, walk the 5.75-mile round trip to the Lighthouse, and in July–August add the evening musical at the canyon-floor amphitheatre.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
118 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (118 km²)
approximate
Established
1934
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 118 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (118 km²)
- About 29,000 acres inside the park boundary; the canyon itself runs roughly 190 km long and up to 240 m deep (check).
- Established
- 1934
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Amarillo
Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon system in the United States: a 190 km gash in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle, up to 240 m deep, cut by a branch of the Red River and protected since 1934 as a Texas state park. Unlike most big canyons, you can drive to the floor, sleep there, and walk to the Lighthouse hoodoo in an afternoon. It is a state park, not a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not cover entry; a Texas state parks pass does. Base yourself in Amarillo or Canyon, enter before 9:00 in summer, and treat the floor as desert: no shade, almost no water, and flash floods after storms.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1934.
Size and age
118 km² (45 sq mi)45 sq mi (118 km²) · national park since 1934
About 29,000 acres inside the park boundary; the canyon itself runs roughly 190 km long and up to 240 m deep (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Amarillo.
Why go
- The second-largest canyon system in the United States, and you can drive to the floor and sleep there.
- The Lighthouse hoodoo is the state's signature rock formation, reached on foot in about three hours round trip.
- Red-banded walls, mesas and hoodoos change colour through the day; the last hour before sunset is the best light.
- A working ranch, a Civilian Conservation Corps-era cabin district and a summer musical sit inside the same park.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, occasional ice on the road down
- FebCold; wind on the rim
- MarMild days, wildflowers start
- AprWarm, dry, green floor
- MayWarm; storm season begins
- JunHot by midday; start at dawn
- JulVery hot; musical season
- AugVery hot; musical season
- SepCooling; still hot early
- OctClear, mild, best walking
- NovCool and quiet
- DecCold; short days
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoudad sheep on the cliffsAll year · Rare and skittish; scan the rimrock early in the day. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mule deer and white-tailed deerOct–Apr · Often near the floor road at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild turkeysMar–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| RattlesnakesApr–Oct · Active on warm days; watch where you put hands and feet. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers and cactus bloomApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Amarillo
I-27 south to Canyon, then Texas 217 east to the gate; the road descends to the canyon floor.
30–40 min
From Canyon
Texas 217 east; 4th Avenue in town is part of the same road.
15–20 min
From Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
Rental car, then I-40 west and I-27 south.
45–55 min
From Caprock Canyons State Park
US 287 and Texas 86 southeast.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon floor and visitor centre | The road down, the visitor centre, the amphitheater, trailheads and most campsites. | Open with an entrance fee; the descent is steep with tight turns. |
| Lighthouse Trail corridor | The park's busiest walking route, out to the Lighthouse hoodoo. | Open; no shade, no water on the route. |
| Rim and cabin district | Cow Camp, CCC Rim and Sorenson cabins, and rim viewpoints. | Cabins by reservation; rim viewpoints by road. |
| Backcountry | The far floor and side canyons beyond the end of the road. | Foot or horse; check in with a ranger. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance gate (Texas 217) · Gate≈34.981, -101.702Map ↗
- 2Visitor centre, canyon floor · Headquarters≈34.938, -101.658Map ↗
- 3Lighthouse Trailhead · Trail≈34.922, -101.668Map ↗
- 4Lighthouse hoodoo · Viewpoint≈34.949, -101.690Map ↗
- 5CCC Rim Cabins · Sleep≈34.953, -101.674Map ↗
- 6Canyon, Texas · Town≈34.980, -101.919Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the park road and the Lighthouse Trail, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance, per person 13 and over | US$8 | person | 2026 estimate; under 13 free. Texas state parks, not a national park — the America the Beautiful pass does not cover it. |
| Campsite, per night | US$12–26 | site | 2026 estimate; the low end is a basic site for up to four people, the high end has water and electricity (check). |
| Cow Camp cabin, per night | US$60 | cabin | 2026 estimate; 1933 CCC cabins, no bedding provided, park entry extra. |
| CCC Rim cabin or Sorenson cabin, per night | US$110–125 | cabin | 2026 estimate; rim views, bedding provided, park entry extra. |
| Guided horse ride | US$60–120 | person | 2026 estimate; the six-mile Lighthouse loop needs a reservation (check). |
| Texas, the Musical ticket | US$20–40 | person | 2026 estimate; evening shows Tuesday–Sunday, early June to mid-August, at the Pioneer Amphitheater (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Camping or cabin permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$8
- US$12–26
- US$60
- US$110–125
- US$60–120
- US$20–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Texas Parks and Wildlife — Palo Duro Canyon State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Water
- Carry at least 3–4 litres per person on any floor hike; there is almost no drinking water away from the visitor centre.
- Flash floods
- After heavy rain, the six stream crossings on the floor can be impassable; check the forecast and ask at the gate.
- Fires
- Fires only in provided rings; burn bans are common in summer.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
- Pets
- Allowed on the floor road and in campgrounds, not on trails; keep them leashed.
- Fossils and rock
- Do not collect rock, fossils or plants.
Where to stay
In the park
Cow Camp Cabins
Four 1933 CCC cabins on the canyon floor; microwave and fridge, bring bedding.
In the park
CCC Rim Cabins and Sorenson cabin
Rim cabins with bathrooms and bedding; the Sorenson cabin has a large deck over the canyon.
In the park
Park campgrounds
Cactus, Fortress Cliff, Hackberry, Mesquite and Sagebrush areas, from basic to electric hook-ups.
Near the park
Canyon and Amarillo
Motels and chain hotels 20–40 minutes away, the fallback when the park is full.
Safety
Heat on the floor high
Rattlesnakes medium
Flash flooding medium
Loose rock and steep edges medium
Steep park road low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, amphitheater and several floor picnic areas are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The Lighthouse Trail and the CCC Trail are rough and unshaded; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Ask at the gate for the current accessible campsites and the easiest floor viewpoints.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; the floor bins are limited.
- Stay on marked trail — the cryptobiotic soil and plant cover take years to recover.
- Buy from Canyon or Amarillo businesses and refill water bottles rather than buying single-use plastic.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Palo Duro Canyon?
About US$8 per person aged 13 and over, with under-13s free (2026 estimate). It is a Texas state park, so the America the Beautiful national park pass does not cover entry; camping, cabins and show tickets are extra.
What are the best hikes in Palo Duro Canyon?
The Lighthouse Trail is the one to do — 5.75 miles round trip, moderate, about three to four hours, with a loose final climb to the hoodoo. For something shorter and steeper, the CCC Trail links the rim and the floor. The Givens, Spicer and Lowry Trail is the quiet alternative for walkers and mountain bikers.
When is the best time to visit Palo Duro Canyon?
April, May and October give mild days and clear light. June to August is very hot on the floor, so start at dawn and finish by late morning; winter is cold and quiet, with occasional ice on the park road.
Do I need a reservation to get into Palo Duro Canyon?
Not usually for day entry, but holiday weekends and the summer musical season can fill the park. Buy a day pass online before you drive out, and reserve campsites and cabins well ahead.
Can I drive to the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon?
Yes. A paved road descends from the rim to the visitor centre and on to several campgrounds. It is steep with tight turns, and long vehicles and trailers may be restricted — check at the gate.
Is Palo Duro Canyon a national park?
No. It is Palo Duro Canyon State Park, run by Texas Parks and Wildlife. That matters for passes: a national parks pass will not get you in, but a Texas state parks pass will.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go