Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located in the Texas Panhandle, is open for visitors, with the park entry gate opening automatically at 7:00 am and closing automatically at 10:00 pm. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Park Hours and Accessibility
- The park entry gate opens automatically at 7:00 am and closes automatically at 10:00 pm.
- The one-way park exit never closes, allowing visitors to leave the park at any time.
- The park headquarters opens at 8:00 am daily, with closing time varying by season.
- An all-terrain wheelchair is available for use in the park, making it accessible for visitors with mobility challenges.
Outdoor Activities
Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy:
Hiking and Biking
- The park has more than 30 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, providing ample opportunities for exploration.
- Visitors can enjoy scenic views and discover the unique geological formations that make Palo Duro Canyon a natural wonder.
Horseback Riding
- Horseback riding is allowed on trails through 1,500 acres set aside for this activity.
- Guided tours are available through Old West Stables, allowing visitors to experience the canyon from a different perspective.
Camping
- The park offers a variety of camping options, including campsites with water and electricity, tent sites, equestrian sites, and backpack camping areas.
- Three cabins on the canyon’s rim and four Cow Camp cabins on the canyon floor are available for overnight stay by advance reservation.
- Glamping (luxury camping) sites are also available, providing a more comfortable and amenity-rich camping experience.
TEXAS Outdoor Musical
- The park hosts the TEXAS Outdoor Musical, a family-friendly show with singing, dancing, fireworks, and lots of Texas humor.
- The show runs Tuesdays through Sundays during the summer at the Pioneer Amphitheater in the park.
Restricted Access and Advocacy
While Palo Duro Canyon State Park is open for visitors, it is important to note that more than half of the 28,000-acre park is closed despite decades of planning for trails and recreation.
Restricted Areas
- Recent updates to the park maps have shown an expanded restricted area, limiting access to certain parts of the canyon.
Advocacy for Backcountry Access
- A group called Open Palo Duro, consisting of hikers, mountain bikers, Palo Duro enthusiasts, and surrounding ranch owners, is advocating for safe, limited, and permitted access to the Palo Duro backcountry.
- The park has been adamant that the Palo Duro backcountry is closed, with no money or personnel for trail development or maintenance.
In conclusion, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is open for visitors, offering a variety of outdoor activities and amenities. However, the limited access to the backcountry remains a point of contention, with advocacy groups working to find a solution that balances conservation and recreational needs.