Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Most people don't expect to find a 120-mile-long, 800-foot-deep canyon in the middle of the Texas Panhandle flatlands, and that's exactly what makes Palo Duro so jaw-dropping. It's the second-largest canyon in the United States — only the Grand Canyon is bigger — with layers of red, yellow, and orange rock that glow at sunrise and sunset. The Lighthouse Trail is one of the most iconic hikes in Texas, and camping down on the canyon floor feels like sleeping in another world entirely. If you can make the drive, it's worth every mile.

115 campsites|Panhandle|7 hr 30 min from Austin|$8/person entrance fee

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Campsite Types

Full Hookup

$25/night

Juniper/Riverside Loop · Sites 1-29 · 29 sites

Water, Sewer, 30/50-amp ElectricRV OKTent OK

Water + Electric

$20/night

Hackberry Loop · Sites 30-55 · 26 sites

Water, 20/30-amp ElectricRV OKTent OK

Water + Electric

$20/night

Sagebrush Loop · Sites 56-89 · 34 sites

Water, 20/30-amp ElectricRV OKTent OK

Water Only

$15/night

Mesquite Loop · Sites 90-115 · 26 sites

WaterTent OK

Guide to Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Best Campsites

For Families:Sites 30-55 (Hackberry) — water + electric, central location near restrooms and the Goodnight Trading Post

For Privacy:Sites 90-115 (Mesquite) — at the far end of the canyon road, fewer neighbors, dramatic views

For RVs:Sites 1-29 (Juniper/Riverside) — full hookups, larger pads, near the canyon entrance

For Couples:Cow Camp cabins — limited-service cabins perched on the canyon rim with incredible views

When to Go

March through November, with summer being busiest due to the TEXAS musical (mid-June through mid-August). Spring and fall have the best weather and wildflowers. Winter camping is available but expect freezing nights.

Tips

→The drive down into the canyon is steep and winding — take it slow, especially with a trailer
→The Lighthouse Trail is a must-do but exposed — start early in summer and bring a lot of water
→Buy TEXAS musical tickets separately and in advance — they sell out on summer weekends
→Cell service is spotty at best on the canyon floor — download what you need beforehand
→The canyon can be 15-20 degrees cooler than the rim — bring layers even in summer
→Flash flooding is possible — check forecasts and avoid low-lying areas during storms

Highlights

Second-largest canyon in the United StatesLighthouse Trail — 5.75-mile round trip to the park's iconic rock formationTEXAS Outdoor Musical (summer) — performed in the Pioneer Amphitheatre since 1966Stunning sunrise and sunset over layered canyon wallsHorseback riding, mountain biking, and 30+ miles of trailsDark skies and incredible stargazing from the canyon floor

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