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In September of 2002 my wife and I were on a tour of the
panhandle. The highlight of the
trip was two days and nights in Palo Duro Canyon.
The Palo Duro Canyon reaches an average depth of about 800 feet and
the average width is about six miles. The
Canyon is sixty miles long. It
runs from 15 miles south east of Amarillo in Randall County through
Armstrong County and into Briscoe County.
Palo Duro was carved the in the last million years by a river that
has a great Texas name, The Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River.
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In the North end of the Canyon is the Palo Duro Canyon
State Park. The state park has
lots of campsites, everything from primitive sites to sites with full hook
ups. We opted for one of the
three cabins available at the park. The
Cabins are situated on the rim of the canyon and are made of native stone
in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The view from the cabins is nothing short of spectacular. Each cabin has a patio facing the canyon with a rock wall to
keep you from falling in the canyon.
They were all recently remodeled and will hold 4 adults. There are only three so make your reservations early.
We arrived late in the day and after we moved and swatted
a few dozen head of houseflies with my mouse pad, we watched a beautiful
sunset drop over the western edge of the canyon.
No TV, no phone, no hassles, we were off to bed early.
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Our Cabin was located on the edge of Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
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The "Light House", the feature rock formation at Palo Duro
Canyon
If you look real close you can see ole "Texas Bob" holding the
Texas Flag at the base
Do not attempt this feat unless you are a trained rock climber
Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
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Before sunrise the next morning we headed for the trailhead leading to the
signature rock formation at the park, “The Light House.”
It was a relatively short, mostly level six-mile hike.
The three miles to the “Light House” was a great hike shaded from
the sun by the canyon wall with the last part of the hike was a lot of
climbing up stair like trail to the viewing area of the “Light House.”
The hike back was later in the morning and in the hot sun. Take plenty of water with you.
It was well worth the effort to get a close to the rock formations.
Many years ago the park had installed a miniature train that took
visitors to the “Light House”, but probably for esthetic and
environmental reasons it was removed and no trace can be found of it ever
existing.
In the afternoon we visited the amphitheater located in the park.
During the summer month the musical production “Texas” plays in
this theater. The price of the
ticket includes a chuck wagon barbeque dinner.
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As you drive up and down the paved park road in the canyon there are many
historical markers, things to see and lots of low water crossings over the
river. Be sure and stop and
soak your feet or what ever else in the “Prairie Dog Town Fork of the
Red River”. An old Indian
legend says that soaking the affected parting in the moving water will
cure warts, scaling skin, consumption, athlete’s foot, mistle toe, the
crud, the croup, and many other aliments.
Now if you drink the water, that’s another whole list of stuff it will
fix or kill.
Texas
Bob
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The "Prairie Dog Town Fork" of the Red River cuts
through Palo Duro Canyon
Canyon, Texas
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Scenic Drive
A great scenic drive that covers the southern part of Palo Duro Canyon
and also crosses Tula Canyon.
From Conway, Texas (Just east of Amarillo) take Texas Highway 207
south toward Silverton, Texas. |
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January 6, 2003
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