Scott - Mar 24, 2024 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2024
Palo Duro Canyon
First I hiked the CCC Trail; then I climbed Goodnight Peak, and after that hiked the Lighthouse Peak Trail, climbed to the summit of South Lighthouse Peak (a bit spooky), then hiked the Givens, Spicer, and Lowrey Trail.
They were nice hikes with some nice rock formations, but not quite as impressive as the canyon country in Utah or northern Arizona. It was still great to visit a new area that I haven't seen before.
alecdavis1992 - Jan 4, 2011 5:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2009
Endless exploration.
Lot's of fun scrambling to be had. Visited some remote sections of the canyon.
Mark Doiron - Oct 2, 2010 6:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2010
Wet, But Cool, September Day
There were lots of clouds accompanied by occasional rain showers, but that made for a cool, afternoon hike on a day that would otherwise have been very hot. Hiked out to the Lighthouse on the standard trail.
The extremely flat land around this canyon make it a very special place. You suddenly drop almost 500 feet below the wind swept plains of the Texas panhandle into this beautiful, colorful canyon. Endless hiking and great mountain biking. Wildlife everywhere. Truly amazing.
Bark Eater - Nov 24, 2008 3:57 pm Date Climbed: Dec 4, 1980
What a nice surprise!
What a great find in the middle of the plains! I enjoyed a couple of days exploring here back in the day.
Alan Ellis - Jun 4, 2008 2:17 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2008
Surprising!
You just don't expect to see such a deep canyon as you're driving through the west Texas flatlands. Beautiful place to see and hike. I actually got to drive my Jeep in the eastern part of the canyon outside of the park.
StumblingBear - May 19, 2008 2:35 pm Date Climbed: May 16, 1972
Country Swing
Have visited several times and even camped a time or two. The museum in nearby Canyon(town)is well worth a visit and to get a view of a bit wilder part, take highway 207 S from Claude (on US 287) it drops into the canyon and has a roadside park.You've come this far so continue on to highway 86(left or east) and hit Caprocks Canyon SP and a stop in Turkey, home of Bob Wills
I am a big fan of Charlie Goodnight, so I could not avoid the Palo Duro for long. It is a little over developed for my tastes, but so are most State Parks in Texas, and in this case who can blame them? Most peoples jaws would drop seeing such a huge canyon so close to FLAT Amarillo.
I've been here about 10 times. When driving there, the land is flat as a pancake, then the Canyon suddenly opens up before you. Good camping, hiking, and mountainbiking. Explore the trail-less section on the parks south end.
tomastx - Sep 19, 2006 4:42 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2006
Lighthouse on New years
Spent a couple days around new years. All was fine except for some strong sand/windstorms. Went up to the lighthouse and did a couple more hikes in the park.
Zac Finley - Feb 22, 2006 12:02 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2005
Lighthouse Point
Camped in one of the sites nestled inside the canyon. Woke up early(5:00 a.m.) and hiked to Lighthouse Point. Besides the three people i was hiking with, I didn't see anyone on the trail going to and coming from Lighthouse. We did see two wild boar running around toward the end of the trail where its at its steepest.
I would suggest doing doing the hike in the morning hours. This will eliminate the Texas heat. More likely to eliminate others hikers being on the trail. And you'll have a better chance at seeing the wildlife.
I spent two days romping around the canyon as far as I could in the Texas heat with my roommmate. We had a blast! Getting firewood was a frustrating matter, but we enjoyed hiking through exotic gulleys, stumbling upon stranded deer, and climbing what ever we saw.
Scott - Mar 24, 2024 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2024
Palo Duro CanyonFirst I hiked the CCC Trail; then I climbed Goodnight Peak, and after that hiked the Lighthouse Peak Trail, climbed to the summit of South Lighthouse Peak (a bit spooky), then hiked the Givens, Spicer, and Lowrey Trail.
They were nice hikes with some nice rock formations, but not quite as impressive as the canyon country in Utah or northern Arizona. It was still great to visit a new area that I haven't seen before.
mattdalman - Jul 16, 2018 12:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2018
fun State parkA fantastic State park. A very fun place to explore, especially with the kids.
mountaingazelle - Apr 28, 2016 11:11 am Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2016
Palo DuroHiked to the Lighthouse and Goodnight Peak. Great place to visit considering how flat most of the panhandle is.
Pewma - Oct 15, 2013 3:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2013
ComanchesI took a trip here to follow the old Comanche trail and see where Quanah Parker and Ronald Mackenzie passed through.
Cortez - Apr 3, 2012 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Nov 25, 2011
Grand Loop Thanksgiving Weekend 2011Beautiful, unexpected canyon country in the panhandle. The Grand Loop is a must.
Koonsy - Jun 20, 2011 3:27 pm
HOTVery warm day to be out exploring.
alecdavis1992 - Jan 4, 2011 5:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2009
Endless exploration.Lot's of fun scrambling to be had. Visited some remote sections of the canyon.
Mark Doiron - Oct 2, 2010 6:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2010
Wet, But Cool, September DayThere were lots of clouds accompanied by occasional rain showers, but that made for a cool, afternoon hike on a day that would otherwise have been very hot. Hiked out to the Lighthouse on the standard trail.
MyLifeOutdoors - Sep 15, 2010 12:22 pm Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2010
HotI hiked to the lighthouse with my family. Very beautiful canyon. When we got back the thermomater read 110. Very hot!!!
MBS1017 - Apr 9, 2010 11:30 am
The Amazing PDCThe extremely flat land around this canyon make it a very special place. You suddenly drop almost 500 feet below the wind swept plains of the Texas panhandle into this beautiful, colorful canyon. Endless hiking and great mountain biking. Wildlife everywhere. Truly amazing.
Bark Eater - Nov 24, 2008 3:57 pm Date Climbed: Dec 4, 1980
What a nice surprise!What a great find in the middle of the plains! I enjoyed a couple of days exploring here back in the day.
Alan Ellis - Jun 4, 2008 2:17 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2008
Surprising!You just don't expect to see such a deep canyon as you're driving through the west Texas flatlands. Beautiful place to see and hike. I actually got to drive my Jeep in the eastern part of the canyon outside of the park.
StumblingBear - May 19, 2008 2:35 pm Date Climbed: May 16, 1972
Country SwingHave visited several times and even camped a time or two. The museum in nearby Canyon(town)is well worth a visit and to get a view of a bit wilder part, take highway 207 S from Claude (on US 287) it drops into the canyon and has a roadside park.You've come this far so continue on to highway 86(left or east) and hit Caprocks Canyon SP and a stop in Turkey, home of Bob Wills
Bubba Suess - Mar 9, 2007 10:20 pm
The Land of Goodnight.I am a big fan of Charlie Goodnight, so I could not avoid the Palo Duro for long. It is a little over developed for my tastes, but so are most State Parks in Texas, and in this case who can blame them? Most peoples jaws would drop seeing such a huge canyon so close to FLAT Amarillo.
BigPsycheDadee - Feb 18, 2007 5:20 pm
Must see in West TexasI've been here about 10 times. When driving there, the land is flat as a pancake, then the Canyon suddenly opens up before you. Good camping, hiking, and mountainbiking. Explore the trail-less section on the parks south end.
tomastx - Sep 19, 2006 4:42 pm Date Climbed: Jan 1, 2006
Lighthouse on New yearsSpent a couple days around new years. All was fine except for some strong sand/windstorms. Went up to the lighthouse and did a couple more hikes in the park.
Zac Finley - Feb 22, 2006 12:02 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2005
Lighthouse PointCamped in one of the sites nestled inside the canyon. Woke up early(5:00 a.m.) and hiked to Lighthouse Point. Besides the three people i was hiking with, I didn't see anyone on the trail going to and coming from Lighthouse. We did see two wild boar running around toward the end of the trail where its at its steepest.
I would suggest doing doing the hike in the morning hours. This will eliminate the Texas heat. More likely to eliminate others hikers being on the trail. And you'll have a better chance at seeing the wildlife.
DylanWann - Feb 14, 2006 9:04 pm
A Day In The WildI spent two days romping around the canyon as far as I could in the Texas heat with my roommmate. We had a blast! Getting firewood was a frustrating matter, but we enjoyed hiking through exotic gulleys, stumbling upon stranded deer, and climbing what ever we saw.
bigwilly - Dec 28, 2005 9:10 pm
Route Climbed: Grand loop Date Climbed: November 3 2005Climbed to the top of the formation behind the Lighthouse. Spectacular views but very windy. Great Day.