Palo Duro Canyon State Park TX

[bucky]

This is a stunningly beautiful TX state park containing the second biggest canyon in the US. It also contains some campgrounds.
I would suggest that huge Class A and large towable owners unhook toads and trucks and scout the access road before venturing down the 10% grade. There are very tight curves and some very steep inclines.
It is more suited to smaller Cs and light TTs. There are some sites with water and electric and big bunches of sites with nothing.
There are trails everywhere for hiking, a trading post with a decent camp store and very good food choices in the burger sandwich chicken category.
It is worth visiting but the RV is best left at one of the many other RV Parks in the Amarillo area. The park is accessed from exit 64 on I40. Head south and it is about 25 minutes from there.

Clicky

[bogeygolfer]

I totally disagree on the length warning from the OP. We drove our 36' down there and I don't recall even being concerned. There were two other 45' rigs down there too. We were not towing a vehicle, but that wouldn't stop me if we were.

And, that was in the summer. The show "Texas" was great. Yes, it's hot - but, it's a dry heat! LOL

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Was there Easter weekend several years ago, in a tent. Has to drive 2 1/2 miles to a bathroom at 2 am. Got back tent was blown down and had tumbled about 100 feet.

Monday went RV shopping. Put a down payment on our first TT on Thursday.

Never unfolded the tent again, and have enjoyed Palo Duro several times since.

But no way I’ll go there in the summer.

[2112]

Too many stinging bugs and big snakes. I suggest everyone stay away. It's become difficult to get a reservation

And Caprock, nothing to see there either. Move along.

[mt1729]

Was there once.

[GoHorns]

We were there several years ago... on our way home from Colorado. I'm a Texan through and through.. but this is one park that I have do desire to return to. Extremely hot, no breeze, bugs, bees, snakes.... and the one campground on the canyon floor with 50 amp service couldn't keep two ACs going without throwing breakers in our camper.

[Two_Jayhawks]

We visited Palo Duro last year and loved it. We chose to stay in a RV park in Amarillo and go to the state park by car. This wasn't because of being discouraged because of our RV size (44') as much as we prefer FHU's.

[Last_Train]

We were there at the end of August last year and agree with others' observations about the beautiful ambience. And neither the descent nor ascent was a problem. Lots of Class A's in our loop at the bottom of the canyon. No cell or OTA TV signal, so it's nice and quiet.

Will also suggest another Texas State Park with similar ambience that is SE about 95 miles: Caprock Canyon State Park. A newer park reflecting a somewhat similar experience; stunningly beautiful colors; a free roaming bison (buffalo) herd that you have to watch for; a fun prairie dog town; a range of hiking trails offering various difficulties; even wifi on the RV loop we were on.

It's on our list for a return trip. We'd recommend it if you are in the area.

[bucky]

I had to back out of the way for one guy as he came down the hill. Newbie? Maybe, but I guarantee some under powered V6 gassers with 9K lb towables have regretted their visit.
I am glad that all of you made it, it truly is a grand vista of a place.

[2gypsies1]

I don't understand why you would say it's not for big rigs. It's perfectly fine getting down that 'hill'. The campsites are huge - made for big rigs! We've been on worse with our 40' motorhome.

[patperry2766]

Captain_Happy wrote:
The last time I was there was probably in the mid 1990's. And at that time in the summer they had a stage show called "TEXAS", don't know if Texas Tec pulls it on every summer.

The play is put on by the students of West Texas State when I graduated from there, now it's called West Texas A&M University in Canyon. Have to get there early enough for the BBQ dinner. Really not much to do in Canyon itself except the college has a pretty decent museum. The Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

[agesilaus]

We saw it a number of years ago, it was a dinner theater then, and it was pretty good. Another big outdoor theater can be found at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in Cedar City UT. They had a flood onstage, I mean water pouring over the stage, at the show we saw. That was a historical about the settlement of southern Utah but I see they have a lot of general shows now.

[huachuca]

We travel I40 whenever heading out west from NC and usually manage to spend a few nights at Palo Duro to break the trip up a bit. Haven’t seen the play Texas yet but hope to do so this year. It was written by Paul Green who also authored The Lost Colony, another outdoor drama, which which has been a summer mainstay on our coast since 1937.

We did see the Gatlin Brothers in the amphitheater a few years back. Awesome performance with the sound and the lights on the red cliff background.

Back on topic. We’re small, just a 19’ Scamp gooseneck, so have no trouble getting up or down and sites seem plenty large to,us. I’ve seen a bunch of the big boys, fivers and MH’s, in all three campgrounds so know it’s doable but have no idea how stressful the ride might have been.

[rexlion]

I spent two nights there about 3 years ago. It was just ok IMO. I have seen too many prettier places in Utah, I guess... now I'm jaded.

[DouglasC]

Great to hear the good news about Palo Duro Canyon! We're heading there the end of next week for a 3 night stay. Been on our "bucket list" for years! We're so looking forward to our stay. Hope the weather is good while we're there.