Palo Duro Canyon State Park RV & Campground Guide
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If you love history, you will want to watch the "TEXAS Outdoor Musical" that's performed in the summer at this park near Canyon, Texas. This is a fantastic place to go hiking into the second-largest canyon in the United States. Old West Stables on the canyon's floor is an amazing place to start a guided horseback ride. State officials established this park in 1933, and workers built many structures before 1938. Before or after your visit to this park, be sure to explore some of the area's nearby attractions, including the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.
Nearby Cities:
Amarillo, Texas
Dawn, Texas
Umbarger, Texas
Bushland, Texas
Spring 41-72 F
Summer 64-91 F
Fall 61-74 F
Winter 28-58 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Campground Accommodations
Juniper Camp Area
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, lantern posts, restrooms and showers
Mesquite Camp Area
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, restrooms and showers
Sagebrush Camp Area
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, restrooms and showers, wheelchair accessible
Hackberry Camp Area
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, restrooms and showers, dump station
Wolfberry Group Camp
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, lantern posts, restrooms and showers, wheelchair accessible
Palo Duro Canyon Campgrounds
There are five different campgrounds at Palo Duro Canyon, including a group campground and a backcountry campground. With campground rates starting at $12 per night, you can easily find a site that meets your needs as some of the campsites can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Flushable toilets, showers
Palo Duro RV Park
Relax by the koi pond or shop in the store at this 70-site campground featuring pull-through paved camping pads. Rates start at $20 per night at this campground that also provides long-term camping spots and military, student and many other types of discounts.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Clubhouse, indoor/outdoor games
Panhandle Lodging RV Park
Twenty-three sites are available at this campground that also has a laundromat. Rates start at $25 at this campground that also offers weekly and monthly rates.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Large parking spaces
Palo Duro Rim RV Park
Go zip lining at this campground, or accompany the guides on a rappelling adventure. Rates start at $15 at this campground that sits on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Zip line, rappelling adventures
What to Do at
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Explore the second-largest canyon in the United States by taking a horseback ride starting at the bottom or hiking into it. Learn more about the Lone Star State's history by watching the park's signature play held annually in the summer. This extravagant performance includes over 120 cast members, longhorn cattle, horses and other animals. Come hungry to enjoy the weekly chuckwagon dinners. Join park rangers for van tours of the park, history lessons and guided hikes. This park is a fantastic place to go stargazing, and park rangers will tell you some cultural stories about the constellations you are viewing.
You will want to camp at Palo Duro Canyon State Park because of the various activities available. During the cooler weather is a fun time to go hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding at this location while summertime is the perfect opportunity to watch the outdoor musical.
Inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park
You can find many adventures inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park, like hiking to see the towering rock formations. You can also ride a horse into the canyon or explore the trails on mountain bikes. The sky gets very dark at night, making it a great place to get out your telescope. You may also want to take the scenic drive through the canyon. Be sure to bring your camera to capture unique images of the wildlife and the desert flowers.
Geocaching
There are many geocaches at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. A list is available from the park's headquarters. Since cellphones do not work in the canyon, bring a paper map and a compass.
Nature Watching
The diverse ecosystems at Palo Duro Canyon State Park make it a fantastic place to see wildlife. The Palo Duro mouse and the Texas horned lizard are two threatened species that live at this destination. You may also see wild turkeys, white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, roadrunners, and many species of snakes and lizards. The grasslands on the canyon's rim are home to western meadowlarks and lark sparrows. Mississippi kites, Bullock's orioles and painted buntings are often summertime visitors while you can see golden-fronted woodpeckers throughout the year.
Stargazing
Join park rangers about once a month for a stargazing party at the large dirt parking lot next to the Juniper Camp Area. The rangers will tell stories of some of the constellations you will view. Participants can bring their binoculars and telescopes and should dress appropriately for the weather.
Flora and Fauna
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a terrific place to visit in the spring and early summer when the Indian blanket, American basket-flower, sunflower, paperflower, blackfoot daisy, tansy aster, side oats grama, buffalograss, sand sage, yucca and prickly pear cactus dot the canyon's floors and its walls. The canyon floor frequently floods, helping mesquite, cottonwood, willow, western soapberry and hackberry to thrive there.
Hiking
There are over 30 miles of hiking trails at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. One popular option perfect for a family hike is the Caves Trail, which is 0.9 miles long. There are several caves along this trail that you can explore on your own. Since there are some dark corners, bring a flashlight or headlamp. There are over 26 other trails to choose from at this state park.
Biking
There are at least six mountain biking trails at the park. While most trails are mixed-use, the Capitol Peak Mountain Bike Trail is open to bikers only. This 2.9-mile-long trail starts and ends at the Juniper Cliffsides.
How to Get to
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
You can get to Palo Duro Canyon State Park quickly from Canyon, Texas. Start by getting on Victory Drive. At the roundabout, take the fourth exit. The road's name will change to 24th Street. Turn left on Texas 217. Make a U-turn, and get on Park Road 5. You will arrive at the park in about 1.7 miles.
By Car
Entering Palo Duro Canyon State Park
For day-use, adults aged 13 and over will need to pay $8 per person while those aged 12 and under are free. Parking lots are located by the visitor center, next to the group hall by the CCC Trail, near the amphitheater, next to the wildlife viewing blind, by the dugout in the Hackberry Camp Area, next to the Capitol Peak Trail, in the Wolfberry Camp Area and near the Cactus Picnic Area.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Per Person : $8.0
Children 12 and under are free.
If you have ever gasped in astonishment as you drove the steep road into this canyon, went hiking on the trails or attended the show, then please share your thoughts on social media and tag RVshare in them. RVshare would also love it if you send your memories and photos to [email protected]. When you share your firsthand knowledge, everyone can benefit from your experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The best time of year to go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park is in the summer so that you can see the outdoor musical. Park rangers tend to put on more programs, and you can experience the chuckwagon dinner.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to two threatened species, the Texas horned lizard and the Palo Duro mouse. You may also see wild turkeys, white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, bobcats, roadrunners, snakes, and lizards.
There are many RV camping spots. Each comes with water and electric hookups.
Reservations are not always required at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, but the camp areas often fill up, especially in the summertime when the musical is happening. The cost to camp overnight varies from $13 to $26.
Pets are allowed at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Many people find it a great location to go hiking with their dogs. They are not permitted at the musical or in any state building.
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