Amarillo Travel Guide

Palo Duro Canyon

Starting about a million years ago a branch of the Red River carved a massive canyon through the northern Texas plains. The walls of the Palo Duro Canyon, meaning "hard wood" canyon and named after the hardy juniper trees that grow in the canyon's sides, plunge down to 1,000ft (305m) at points, exposing the multi-layered coloured rock strata. The colours are particularly brightly picked out on the spires and pinnacles that the forces of nature have carved out on the canyon floor. Most of the Palo Duro Canyon was privately owned for many years and was deeded to the state by its private owners in 1933. Groups of workers immediately went to work to create a system of roads, visitor centre and cabins throughout the area, and in 1934 the park opened its doors. The Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a few miles east of Amarillo, reached via Texas 217 highway. The park offers picnic and camping facilities, a visitor's centre with a shop, an amphitheatre where shows are staged, and horseback r
Address: The park is located about 12 miles (19km) east of Canyo
Website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/palo_duro/
Email: pdc@palodurocanyon.com
Telephone: (806) 488 2227
Opening Time: October to March: Sunday-Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday to Saturday 8am to 8pm; April to May: Sunday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday to Saturday 8am to 10pm; June to August: Daily 8am to 10pm; September: Sunday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday to Saturday 8am t
Admission: $5 (adults); children under 13 are free; group adult rates ($2) are available, with prior arrangement