Palo Duro Canyon State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with over 442,000 visitors in 2022. The park spans 28,000 acres, but more than half of it remains closed despite decades of planning for trails and recreation. Open Palo Duro, a group advocating for safe, limited, and permitted access to the backcountry, has been actively pushing for the opening of these closed areas since 2022.
Leasing of Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Yes, the land in Palo Duro Canyon State Park is currently leased to ranchers. The state park’s contract with the ranchers would allow for public access to these restricted areas, but the park has not yet opened these areas to the public.
Ranching Leases in Palo Duro Canyon
The majority of the land within Palo Duro Canyon State Park is leased to ranchers for grazing purposes. These leases have been in place for decades, and the state park has had to work within the constraints of these existing agreements.
| Lease Holder | Leased Area |
|---|---|
| Rancher A | 10,000 acres |
| Rancher B | 8,000 acres |
| Rancher C | 5,000 acres |
The state park’s contract with the ranchers allows for public access to these leased areas, but the park has not yet opened these areas to the public due to various factors, including concerns about safety, resource management, and potential conflicts with the ranching operations.
Advocacy for Opening Restricted Areas
Open Palo Duro, a local advocacy group, has been actively pushing for the opening of the restricted areas within the park. The group has been working with the state park and the ranchers to develop a plan that would allow for safe, limited, and permitted access to these areas.
The group has mapped out trails that have been planned for over 20 years, and they believe that opening these areas would bring more people to the park and benefit the entire community. They argue that the current restrictions are limiting the park’s potential and preventing visitors from fully experiencing the natural beauty of the canyon.
Recreational Activities in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Despite the restricted areas, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including:
- Hiking Trails: The park has over 30 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks to more challenging hikes.
- Biking Trails: The park has several biking trails, including the popular Lighthouse Trail.
- Horseback Riding: Visitors can explore the canyon on horseback, with guided tours and rental options available.
- Camping: The park has campsites for tents, RVs, and horseback riders, as well as cabins for rent on the canyon’s rim.
- Group Events: The park’s Mack Dick Pavilion is a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and other events.
Conclusion
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a unique and stunning natural wonder in Texas, but the fact that more than half of the park remains closed to the public due to leasing agreements with ranchers is a significant limitation. The advocacy efforts of groups like Open Palo Duro to open these restricted areas and expand recreational opportunities within the park are commendable and deserve attention. As the park continues to attract visitors, finding a balance between conservation, recreation, and the interests of the ranching community will be an ongoing challenge.