Texas Palo Duro Canyon State Park Travel Magnet

Palo Duro Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is the second-largest canyon in the United States, stretching about 120 miles long, up to 20 miles wide, and plunging to depths of nearly 800 feet. Located in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo, the canyon was carved by the Red River over millions of years, exposing striking layers of red, orange, yellow, and white rock formations. Its rugged beauty includes mesas, hoodoos, and unique landmarks like the Lighthouse Rock, a natural stone pillar that is one of the park’s most photographed sites. The canyon is protected as Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Visitors can hike, bike, or horseback ride along more than 30 miles of trails, camp under starry skies, and spot wildlife such as roadrunners, wild turkeys, coyotes, and mule deer. The park is also home to the long-running outdoor musical drama TEXAS, performed in an amphitheater within the canyon each summer, celebrating the history and spirit of the region. With its dramatic scenery, rich history, and recreational opportunities, Palo Duro Canyon is one of Texas’s most breathtaking natural treasures.