Palo Duro Canyon State Park RV & Campground Guide
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There are many reasons that you may want to go camping at Palo Duro Canyon, which is located 12 miles west of Canyon, Texas. This state park, located about 25 miles south of Amarillo, has a lot of trails for hiking. You may also want to go to Palo Duro Canyon because it is the second-largest canyon in the United States, and you can easily explore a lot of it on a scenic drive. This park, about 100 miles north of Lubbock, offers a wide variety of plants and wildlife.
Spring 41-72 F
Summer 64-91 F
Fall 61-74 F
Winter 28-58 F
Armarillo, TX
RV Resorts & Campsites in Palo Duro Canyon State Park
RVing in and near Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers you a fantastic opportunity to explore this canyon as it changes throughout the day, and it gives you easy access to other attractions located nearby. If you do not have an RV, consider renting one from RVshare.
Palo Duro Canyon Campgrounds
There are five different campgrounds at Palo Duro Canyon, including a group campground and a backcountry campground. With campground rates starting at $12 per night, you can easily find a site that meets your needs as some of the campsites can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Flushable toilets, showers
Palo Duro RV Park
Relax by the koi pond or shop in the store at this 70-site campground featuring pull-through paved camping pads. Rates start at $20 per night at this campground that also provides long-term camping spots and military, student and many other types of discounts.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Clubhouse, indoor/outdoor games
Panhandle Lodging RV Park
Twenty-three sites are available at this campground that also has a laundromat. Rates start at $25 at this campground that also offers weekly and monthly rates.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Large parking spaces
Palo Duro Rim RV Park
Go zip lining at this campground, or accompany the guides on a rappelling adventure. Rates start at $15 at this campground that sits on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Zip line, rappelling adventures
What to Do at
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park
You can find many adventures inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park, like hiking to see the towering rock formations. You can also ride a horse into the canyon or explore the trails on mountain bikes. The sky gets very dark at night, making it a great place to get out your telescope. You may also want to take the scenic drive through the canyon. Be sure to bring your camera to capture unique images of the wildlife and the desert flowers.
Outside Palo Duro Canyon State Park
There are many things to do outside Palo Duro Canyon State Park, including many adventures set up near the park. This park is in a fun area with lots of fascinating Old West history to explore. You can also find great dining, shopping, and attractions in nearby communities.
Restaurants
Texas Outdoor Musical Show With Dinner
For more than 50 years, visitors to Palo Duro Canyon have been enjoying the Texas Outdoor Musical Show at the natural amphitheater in the park along with enjoying a pre-show chuck-wagon dinner.
Type: Dinner and a show
Location: 11450 State Highway Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015
Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner
Stop for a burger or an excellent chicken-fried steak at this restaurant that is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to make a U-turn in life.
Type: Diner
Location: 2100 North 2nd Avenue, Canyon, TX 79015
Sayakomarn’s Restaurant
This vegetarian-friendly restaurant serves a variety of Thai rice and noodle favorites along with steak and a few other American entrees.
Type: Thai and American
Location: 421 16th Street, Canyon, TX 79015
Pepito's Mexican Restaurante
If you are looking for great Tex-Mex food, then head to this family-owned restaurant where the burritos with red sauce and the tortilla soup are outstanding.
Type: Tex-Mex
Location: 408 23rd Street, Canyon, TX 79015
Rockin’ Zebra Soda Shoppe
Get all your diner favorites, including milkshakes, at this restaurant where you will feel like you have stepped back into the 1960s.
Type: Diner
Location: 404 15th Street, Canyon, TX 79015
Shopping
Palo Duro Trading Post
Find souvenirs, basic groceries and camping supplies at this park store. It boasts the only fuel station in Palo Duro Canyon, and firewood is available.
Location: 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015
The Canyon Gallery & Visitor Center
Purchase souvenirs and gifts for your whole family at this native-stone store located in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
Location: 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015
Rustic Gypsy
Find home décor, paint and candles at this shop on the square in Canyon.
Location: 420 15th Street, Canyon, TX 79015
Thompson’s
Since 1908, shoppers have been finding jewelry, accessories, bath and beauty products and more at this store.
Location: 405 16th Street, Canyon, TX 79015
Western Hats
Find cowboy hats, boots and leather goods at this Western wear shop.
Location: 1206 23rd Street #5320, Canyon, TX 79015
Sightseeing
Old West Stables
Since 1999, this stable has been offering horseback rides through the canyon and surrounding area, and you can also see longhorn cattle there.
Location: 11450 State Highway Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015
Palo Duro Canyon ZipLine Adventure Park
Take a jeep tour and zip-line across part of the canyon at this attraction.
Location: 11100 TX-217, Canyon, TX 79015
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum
See an oil derrick, a log cabin, early chuck wagons and more at this history museum.
Location: 2503 4th Avenue, Canyon, TX 79015
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Since 1937, visitors have been coming to this National Natural Landmark that contains a short-grass prairie where the prairie dogs love to play.
Location: 28320 FM168, Canyon, TX 79015
The CAP Canyon Aqua Park
This water park features lap swimming, a splash pad and other fun activities.
Location: 900 19th Street, Canyon, TX 79015
How to Get to
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
If you are coming to Palo Duro Canyon State Park from Amarillo and other northern areas, then take Interstate 27 and get off at Exit 106. Get on the service road, and turn right on TX 217E. Continue for 10.8 miles, and the park will be on your right.
If you are coming to Palo Duro Canyon State Park from Lubbock and other southern areas, then take Exit 103 off the interstate, and turn right on TX 217 E. The park will be on your right in about 10.8 miles.
To get to the park from Canyon, TX, simply follow TX 217 E.
By Car
Entering Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Per person : $5.0
Many activities, such as the amphitheater, come with an additional cost. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you have ever gasped in astonishment as you drove the steep road into this canyon, went hiking on the trails or attended the show, then please share your thoughts on social media and tag RVshare in them. RVshare would also love it if you send your memories and photos to memories@rvshare.com. When you share your firsthand knowledge, everyone can benefit from your experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The best time to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park is in the summertime when the "Texas! Outdoor Musical" performs. Generally, the show runs almost daily from May to September. Start your visit with the chuckwagon barbecue dinner.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park has hot, dry summers and short winters. The wind is usually more robust than in other places in the United States. The hottest periods occur between mid-July and mid-August when daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to many animals, including mule and white-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes and wild turkeys. A pastime of many visitors is watching the roadrunners. The park is home to endangered Palo Duro Canyon mice.
There are camping spots for RVs up to 60 feet long at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The campsites are in five different locations. The largest one is the Sagebrush Campground, which has 47 sites.
Pets are allowed at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, but they are not permitted at the "Texas! Outdoor Musical" unless they are licensed service animals. Pets must be kept on a leash and always attended to.