Amarillo by morning, Amarillo’s on my mind
George Strait
Palo Duro Canyon has been on my bucket list ever since I lived in Norman. Moving to Arizona and exploring the southwest only fueled my desire to visit even more. This trip, I finally decided that I would make the trip to the canyon. No excuses.
The Grand Canyon of Texas
Palo Duro Canyon is often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Texas” and “The Grand Canyon’s Little Brother”. Meaning “strong wood” in Spanish, it is the second longest canyon in the United States. It is roughly 200 km (120 mi) long with an average width of 10 km (6 mi). Only Arizona’s Grand Canyon is longer. Palo Duro Canyon is part of the Caprock Escarpment.
The entrance to the state park located only about 40 km (25 mi) south of Amarillo, Texas. The canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River during the Pleistocene era. Humans first inhabited the canyon about 15,000 years ago, and have continuously inhabited it ever since.
Shortly after entering the state park, you get your first view of the canyon, and boy, did it not disappoint, especially in the early morning light. A stunning 180-degree vista of the canyon greets you prior to the descent into the canyon.
Descent into the Canyon
One of the big differences between the Grand Canyon and Palo Duro Canyon is that you can drive down to the bottom of Palo Duro Canyon. The road to the bottom of the canyon is steep, but straight, with the exception of a switchback at the very bottom. The State of Texas paves and maintains the road, so it is in very good condition.
After hours of driving across the prairies of far eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle, the descent into the canyon felt like I was instantly transported back to Arizona and Utah. At the bottom of the canyon, I was able to see rock layers similar to the Grand Canyon, rock formations like the ones you see in Zion National Park, and hoodoos that always conjure up memories of Bryce Canyon. There was also plenty of prickly pear cactus and other desert plants, which is a common sight across much of West Texas.
There are plenty of outdoor recreational activities in which you can partake at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, including hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, and much more. It looks like there are some really spectacular hikes throughout the entire park. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to do any of them. I needed to get back on the road and head for my next stopover in Norman, Oklahoma. Maybe next time.