We are at the magnificent Palo Duro Canyon south of Amarillo, Texas. The canyon just suddenly appears in the middle of the ranch land on the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the U.S.; but at that, it is only one-fourth the length of the Grand Canyon and one-sixth as deep.
Palo Duro Canyon
Panoramic View of Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Hoodoo The major difference (other than one is the canyon) is that you experience Palo Duro from down on the floor of the canyon looking up, while at the Grand Canyon you are up on the rim looking down. That, and lovely Texas summer temperatures that can reach over 100 degrees (102 for us) down in the canyon.
Palo Duro is known for the color of its rock layers, its caves, and its "hoodoos," interesting vertical rock formations sometimes known as fairy chimneys. Palo Duro's most famous hoodoo is Lighthouse Rock, but you will not see a picture of the Lighthouse here. It seems that to see Lighthouse Rock you must hike for 3 hours up the side of the canyon, and we are too old for that - especially in the summer heat. Be satisfied with the unnamed hoodoo in the picture to the right.
Along with the interesting rock formations and colors, we saw plenty of caves, and several different wildflowers. The wildlife we saw consisted of tarantulas, spiders, a few birds, and over 12 million grasshoppers. Below is a small gallery with some photos I thought you might enjoy.
Palo Duro is known for the color of its rock layers, its caves, and its "hoodoos," interesting vertical rock formations sometimes known as fairy chimneys. Palo Duro's most famous hoodoo is Lighthouse Rock, but you will not see a picture of the Lighthouse here. It seems that to see Lighthouse Rock you must hike for 3 hours up the side of the canyon, and we are too old for that - especially in the summer heat. Be satisfied with the unnamed hoodoo in the picture to the right.
Along with the interesting rock formations and colors, we saw plenty of caves, and several different wildflowers. The wildlife we saw consisted of tarantulas, spiders, a few birds, and over 12 million grasshoppers. Below is a small gallery with some photos I thought you might enjoy.
CCC Cabin - Yesterday's Luxury Palo Duro is one of more than 50 Texas State Parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. In fact, the CCC started the state park system in Texas.
The CCC workers built things to last, and at Palo Duro, along with the Visitor's Center and the road to the canyon floor, there are still four CCC-built stone cabins available for reservation. One of these cabins is in the photo to the left.
One of the summer highlights at Palo Duro is the outdoor musical theater with its annual production of Texas!, an idealized version of the history of the Panhandle. The amphitheater's outdoor setting means the scenery is real - and beautiful. The show was lively and energetic and provided summer work for lots of theater majors. And the production doesn't miss a trick with special effects with everything live horses to lightning splitting trees. The night finished with dancing waters and fireworks.
Palo Duro was an interesting stop, but if we go again someone needs to remind us not to do it in July. Now we are off to (a cooler, I hope) Colorado Springs to ride up Pike's Peak and do some other neat things.
Thanks for visiting, and, as always, we like to hear from you.
The CCC workers built things to last, and at Palo Duro, along with the Visitor's Center and the road to the canyon floor, there are still four CCC-built stone cabins available for reservation. One of these cabins is in the photo to the left.
One of the summer highlights at Palo Duro is the outdoor musical theater with its annual production of Texas!, an idealized version of the history of the Panhandle. The amphitheater's outdoor setting means the scenery is real - and beautiful. The show was lively and energetic and provided summer work for lots of theater majors. And the production doesn't miss a trick with special effects with everything live horses to lightning splitting trees. The night finished with dancing waters and fireworks.
Palo Duro was an interesting stop, but if we go again someone needs to remind us not to do it in July. Now we are off to (a cooler, I hope) Colorado Springs to ride up Pike's Peak and do some other neat things.
Thanks for visiting, and, as always, we like to hear from you.
Another panoramic view of Palo Duro Canyon
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