Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

You do now! 120 miles long with an average width of 6 miles, it’s often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas”. 

Beat the crowds and heat by visiting in the winter months ($5 entry fee year-round). Explore the canyon by foot, mountain bike, horse ($35 for a tour) or by car on over 30 miles of trails. For the adventurous, you can take the “big zip” tour across the canyon or go rappelling into the abyss.

Named for the abundant mesquite and juniper trees in the area, it was first mapped by early Spanish Explorers in 1541. “Palo Duro” is Spanish for hardwood. The canyon was created by erosion from the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River. As water flows through the canyon, it gradually deepens and widens the channel. 

Activities of the artistic variety include an annual photography contest in early January, and TEXAS, an outdoor musical drama that happens all summer. Photographers, adventurers, and families alike will lose their ish over this larger-than-life canyon. If you want to go big when you’re in the Texas Panhandle, you can’t miss this State Park!