Palo Duro Canyon spans about 120 miles and reaches up to 800 feet deep, earning the nickname 'Grand Canyon of Texas.' The canyon's exposed rock layers date back over 240 million years, while canyon formation began roughly one million years ago as the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River carved the landscape. Archaeological evidence indicates Indigenous peoples occupied the canyon as early as 12,000 years ago. Palo Duro Canyon State Park opened in July 1934 and lies roughly 30 minutes south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The park features varied hiking, biking, and horse trails, including the popular Lighthouse Trail and shorter nature walks.
Arizona isn't the only state with an impressive canyon. Virginia and Kentucky have the nearly 1,000-foot canyon in Breaks Interstate Park, and Texas boasts what's frequently billed as the second-largest canyon in the entire country: Palo Duro Canyon. This wondrous natural formation-which measures in at 120 miles long and up to 800 feet deep-is known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," and it's the main draw to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
While the park opened to the public in July 1934, the canyon itself is much, much older. Its formation is said to have started around a million years ago, as the headwaters of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River carved out its path-but the exposed rock layers date back more than 240 million years. Researchers have also found evidence of Indigenous peoples living in the canyon from 12,000 years ago.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, you'll appreciate all of the hiking opportunities within Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Some of the hiking trails are also open to bikes and horses. Feel free to start easy with the half-mile Pioneer Nature Trail-or opt for Czudak's more challenging favorites. "The best hike in the park has to be the Lighthouse Trail," she says. "You'll discover where this trail gets its name as soon as you reach the terminus of the trail at the base of this
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