Palo Duro Canyon which is second largest Canyon in USA. It is also called as Grand Canyon of TEXAS. Palo Duro Canyon is located just 30 minutes from Amarillo City. We planned to visit Cadillac Ranch first and then drove to palo duro canyon . Checkout the link to know more about Cadillac Ranch.
Amarillo we planned to visit cadillac ranch and palo duro canyon , after doing all fun graffiti work , spraying painting at cadillac ranch ,we started to palo duro canyon . Amarillo is perfect city and there is no traces of canyon in anywhere, i keep asking my husband how canyon will be here?.
After cadillac ranch we took a small break to load up with food , Once you into canyon it will 3 to 4 hours to come out in between there will not be any shops available. It is always safe to have food because kids will become hungry and then tried . So stopped at KFC and had some chicken as pre preparation to enter into canyon.We make sure that we had enough water bottles and gas in our car.
Within 15 minutes we moved out of the city road and head forward to Palo duro canyon and both sides of the road became plain valley with small plants while started to enter the canyon.
First Canyon view while driving from the Amarillo City.
Zip Line
Before entering the Palo duro canyon, you will see the Zipline , Horseback riding places.
If you want to try adventure , then here is your stop for palo duro canyon zipline nearly – 1/4 miles and zip over 800 feet. Since we went in Covid , the zipline is closed on that day of our visit, checkout there website for more details and for reservation.
Welcome to Palo Duro Canyon:
It took exactly 30 minutes to reach the Palo duro canyon State Park. The entrance ticket for adult its $ , checkout their website for more details and they have luxury cabins inside canyon.
At entrance ,we got our ticket and sticked the ticket to the car front window. They gave us route guide and trail map which shows the trails, biking, hiking places and precautions to take depends on the weather of the day you visit.
Checkout our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGB1BXx9e5c&t=181s. This video was made by kids 9 year and 4 year kid.
If you plan your trip for staying night then you have to book your campground and activities ahead of your visit.
From visitor center , the first stop is CCC Trail and nearby place – Historic visitor center.
Kids are very much happy throughout the road trip, when we stopped at the CCC trail, Abhinav started to explore the trail maps, formation of canyon and the beautiful view, as a cute sister – Reya followed her brother.
We enjoyed the beautiful view of CCC trail, kids did warmup by small dance !!!.
CCC means Civil Conservation Corps – Trail is 1.4 mile (one way), it will take 1.5 hour to complete the trail .
In this CCC Trail , you will cross four historic bridges and difficult trail!!
For Kids :
Since it is Canyon, it is fully opened and if you planning with toddler kids. Keep tell them not to go away from you or be careful while walking, toddler kids love to run and explore. Parents has to keep eye on both small and older kids.
Don’t go out of CCC trail without visiting Visitor Center:
Yes, From CCC TRAIL Parking lot, walk to nearby Gift Shop.
EL colorado Lodge/Gift shop/Museum
With in few steps from CCC trail, you will reach gift shop.This gif shop is must see place for kids and families, there is large window inside the giftshop and you can take very close of the canyon .
Along with souvenir, gifts there is small museum is located inside the gift shop and don’t miss it out :
Inside the Museum:
Explore the evolution of Palo duro Canyon, formation of rocks , how people lived and what kind of equipment they used for survival, types of birds, plants and creatures in Palo duro Canyon.
After visiting CCC trail and Gift shop we started to drive inside the canyon . The long twist and turn drive with beautiful formation rock on both sides .
LightHouse Trail,
The most iconic popular trail of palo duro canyon is Lighthouse trail, one of the famous trail in texas state parks. It is 5.7 mile (up & down ) to complete trail. It will take 4 hours to complete the trail .
While entering, park ranger warned us, the lighthouse trail is difficult to complete and there will not be any shades throughout the trail incase , if you want to escape from hot sun.
If you plan for this trail to visit the nature rock formation of lighthouse ,then prepare with one gallon of water per person and with sun protection along with energy crackers.
We not planned to go lighthouse trail , it is hard for 4 year old to climb up and down in hot weather. After palo duro canyon we have another 5 hour car drive, so we skipped the trail.
Definitely , this trail is in our list to complete soon!!
After Lighthouse trail, we drive around the canyon to enjoy the view .
PIONEER Nature Trail is easy to complete which is half mile to walk , if you visit the park in early spring or late fall , you can enjoy the red river in this trail.
Texas Outdoor Musical In Palo Duro Canyon,
Must visit place in Palo Duro Canyon – Outdoor Pioneer Amphitheater, while we driving around the park we stopped at the historical place where musical dramas , stories, love, romance and people’s struggle against the environment are showcased in the form of art.
It was established in the year 1966 with 2000 outdoor seat capacity.
Since we went in COVID, 2020 show are cancelled. If you plan to visit Palo duro canyon, check out for show the time when you visit the park. Must see place in Palo duro canyon.
Visit to Bike Trail
While driving around the park, we stopped just to enjoy the view, and went to one of the biking trail where there is bench, water with shades and then went inside the trail, kids played and we enjoyed with them.
Both Kids enjoyed by taking old plant sticks , climbing to the small mountain and we spend more than hour by playing and exploring the rocks, plants around that place.
After playing in the bike route, kids refreshed and started to drive to take horseback ride. Horseback Riding Rental place is closed because of COVID. Kids really missed the horse riding fun .
In Horseback riding place , they are providing guided horse riding and you have to checkout the website for availability and for reservation before your visit!!
Mountain view near to Old Horseback Riding
Overall, the trip to Palo duro Canyon was best with kids and family. There are lots of things to explore and enjoy around the park.
Things to Consider :
Plan your food, inside canyon you only have few options for lunch or for any food.
If you have kids or older parents and a planning to go for trail then make sure to get plenty of healthy food in hand .
Checkout for enough water bottles, energy drinks , sunscreen protection and lotion.
Dress Up depends on the weather and the time you visit the park, sports shoes are required for trails.
Fill up car – gas tank,
Keep the park map in hand or download from the website , internet signals will not be there inside the trails.
If this blog gave you information about the place and the activities to visit with your kids and family, please take a moment to LEAVE A COMMENT ,
We will be back again with another exciting travel place to explore with kids and family. Until then, Stay active and Happy!!
