Palo Duro Canyon in Canyon, Texas

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It had been 19 years since we last visited awe-inspiring Palo Duro Canyon. Lois drove the RV down the often steep switchback road to the Juniper Campground, about 6 miles into the park. The first day we hiked the Riverside and Cliffside Juniper trails, which included a side trek to a large crevice up a boulder-strewn path. The next day we made the rigorous 6-mile hike up to the Lighthouse rock formation. The last 30 or so yards was very steep with a sheer drop-off on the last turn. Mike was encouraged to crawl across this section by a fellow hiker from Columbia, South America. Definitely out of Mike's comfort zone! The following day we went into Amarillo for a workout at Planet Fitness, lunch at the Big Texan steakhouse, and a short drive on Rt. 66. That night the temperature dropped down to 19F. On our last full day, we checked out the Trading Post and Interpretive Center in the park and the Sad Monkey Emporium a mile or so outside the entrance. While we did not have the star-gazing we enjoyed in 2004, Palo Duro was still amazing. We expect to return for another visit someday.

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Photos

CCC
The interpretive center had displays and information on the CCC's involvement at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Interpretive Center
The center included information about the history of the canyon, the plants, the construction of the road down to the canyon, and a gift shop.

Panorama
View from the top. As you approach the canyon you are surrounded by flat, desert landscape. Then suddenly there is the canyon. Can you imagine arriving here in a wagon?

Topside view
View from Interpretive Center parking lot.

Campsite
Pull-through site with sheltered picnic table. We were an easy walk to the shower-house. A breathtaking view in every direction.

Hike
Once we were set-up it was off for a hike to explore our surroundings.

Prickly-Pear
Definitely different flora than we have in Ohio!

Canyon walls
Hard to capture the beauty of Palo Duro with a photo. This was an easy trail along the river on the East side of the road and the cliffs on the west side.

Cliff
Near the edge of a trail was a cliff. Watch your step, it was about a 20 foot drop.

Canyon floor
If you get off the trail the plant life is not friendly, most have thorns or spikes.

Canyon
The ground was sandy with a mix of red soil. As we came around a turn on the trail we saw a dear in a thicket.

Canyon wall
The trail led us to the base of the canyon wall.

Cliff Side
Not a lot of trail signs, but the path is well traveled.

Rocky
Foliage getting heavier hear the foot of the canyon.

Layers
The layers of sediment add to the beauty of the canyon walls.

Crevice
Path to the canyon crevice.

Climb
We couldn't resist climbing up to the window.

Falling rocks
The path was challenging due to the loose rocks. Fortunately, we did not experience any falling during our climb.

Birdseye view
View from one side of the canyon to the other.

Leaning rock
Some of the formations near the trail seem to defy gravity.