Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife The second-largest canyon in the U.S., a Texas State Park built by the CCC in the 1930s.
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Home to rich history, diverse wildlife, and scenic landscapes for outdoor recreation.

Nothing like a Palo Duro sunrise to start the day! 💚 Trail Update (9/5/26)Open Trails:⭐️ Lighthouse⭐️ Givens, Spicer & L...
09/05/2026

Nothing like a Palo Duro sunrise to start the day! 💚

Trail Update (9/5/26)

Open Trails:
⭐️ Lighthouse
⭐️ Givens, Spicer & Lowry
⭐️ Upper & Lower Comanche
⭐️ Rockgarden
Capitol Peak
CCC & Triassic
Pioneer Nature Trail
Big Cave

It’s gonna be a hot one! National Weather Service has issued a heat warning so those with a ⭐️ above will be closed from 11am-5pm!

Get out early, stay hydrated, and have a great Labor Day weekend!

📸 Photo: Mike Inman

Friday Morning Update! (9/4/26)We got quite a bit of rain last night! The canyon floor received 0.75 inches, and the rim...
09/04/2026

Friday Morning Update! (9/4/26)

We got quite a bit of rain last night! The canyon floor received 0.75 inches, and the rim received 0.34 inches.

🚧 Currently, all trails are closed except CCC, Triassic, and Big Cave.

🥾 This morning’s Women’s Hike will now meet at the Triassic Trailhead (halfway down the hill)!

We’ll regularly check trails and post updates here. For everyone’s safety and to protect your park, please stay off closed trails. Thank you for understanding!

09/01/2026

Explore Bowhunting is coming to Palo Duro Canyon State Park!

Join us Saturday, September 12 | 10 AM–1 PM | Old West Stables

🎯 Archery practice led by TPWD Archery Specialists, NASP-certified park staff, and volunteers

🎯 Field-dressing demonstrations, camo hide-and-seek, wildlife education, and more!

🎯 Texas Master Naturalists, TPWD Wildlife Biologists, and other experts will be on-site to share their knowledge and skills.

Whether you’re new to bowhunting or an experienced hunter, come learn something new and enjoy the experience with us!

More information can be found on our event page!

This post is a bit delayed, but we’re all still adjusting to Nathan Londenberg not being around!We are excited for Natha...
08/30/2026

This post is a bit delayed, but we’re all still adjusting to Nathan Londenberg not being around!

We are excited for Nathan as he begins a new chapter in retirement after more than 18 years with TPWD. He started his career right here at Palo Duro Canyon as the Assistant Superintendent/Park Police Officer. Nathan then promoted to Sea Rim State Park where he served as the Superintendent/Park Police Officer, and then closed out his career where it began by returning to Palo Duro Canyon fully devoted to serving as one of our Park Police Officers.

Around here, Nathan was known as “The Rock.” He was someone our staff could count on—steady, dependable, calm in the chaos, and always willing to go the extra mile for the park and the people in it.

Nathan, thank you for the years of hard work, dedication, and friendship. You’ve left a lasting mark on Palo Duro and on the people who had the privilege of working alongside you.

We’re happy for you, but we sure are going to miss you around here. Honestly, we already do!

Congratulations on your retirement, Nathan!

Good Morning from PDC! Trail update (8/29/26) @ 7:20amOpen Trails- Lighthouse Capitol PeakGiven Spicer Lowery Pioneer Na...
08/29/2026

Good Morning from PDC!

Trail update (8/29/26) @ 7:20am

Open Trails-
Lighthouse
Capitol Peak
Given Spicer Lowery
Pioneer Nature Trail
CCC
Triassic
Big Cave
Rockgarden
Upper/Lower Comanche

It’s another hot day, we will have our heat advisory trail closure today (11 am - 5 pm)so get out as wary as you can and stay hydrated !! 💚

Afternoon Update from PDC — 4 PM (8/28/26)Trail conditions are still too wet for any additional openings at this time. W...
08/28/2026

Afternoon Update from PDC — 4 PM (8/28/26)

Trail conditions are still too wet for any additional openings at this time. We will report back in the morning!

Unfortunately, due to the wet conditions and trail closures, tonight’s Full Moon Hike has also been cancelled.

We’re sorry to miss you tonight and hope to see you next month!

📷: Stetson Mendoza

It’s a wet, rainy morning in the canyon!Currently open (8/28/26 @7:30am):CCCTriassicBig CaveAll other trails are curren...
08/28/2026

It’s a wet, rainy morning in the canyon!

Currently open (8/28/26 @7:30am):
CCC
Triassic
Big Cave

All other trails are currently closed.

Stay dry, and we’ll keep you posted here with any trail updates!

Update- (8/27 ) Open trails: CCCTriassicBig Cave Pioneer Nature TrailUpper/Lower ComancheRockgarden KiowaWe are grateful...
08/27/2026

Update- (8/27 )
Open trails:
CCC
Triassic
Big Cave
Pioneer Nature Trail
Upper/Lower Comanche
Rockgarden
Kiowa

We are grateful for a good amount of rain this morning! (8/27/26)🌧️

Currently, most trails are closed. We have no doubt things will dry up quickly, and we’ll continue to monitor conditions regularly.

We’ll keep you updated as trails reopen!

We couldn’t be more thankful for the rain last night! 💚 And FYI, no trails were closed! Did you know we can track weathe...
08/26/2026

We couldn’t be more thankful for the rain last night! 💚 And FYI, no trails were closed!

Did you know we can track weather more accurately in the canyon thanks to stations placed by West Texas Mesonet?

We have one station down on the canyon floor and another on the rim, giving us a better look at just how different the weather can be between those two locations—and even compared to the nearest town, Canyon!

Even better, they have a handy app you can download so you can stalk those stations just like us rangers do!

Friday or Fry-day?!? 🤔 We are feeling it! 🥵We have a few stay-cool(er) programs to look forward to this Saturday (8/22)!...
08/21/2026

Friday or Fry-day?!? 🤔 We are feeling it! 🥵

We have a few stay-cool(er) programs to look forward to this Saturday (8/22)!

Birding Hike | 8 AM
Meet at Cottonwood and join us for a morning of birding!

Night Sky Photography Class | 9 AM–1 PM
Meet at Tasajillo for a unique opportunity to learn from Dr. Art Schneider and Frank Wilburn how to photograph the night sky!

Palo Duro Van Tour | 2 PM
Cool off and explore the canyon from the comfort of the van! Meet at Longhorn Pasture.

And to everyone who joined us bright and early for the Challenge Hike last Saturday or the Women’s Hike this morning—we had a blast! Thanks for hiking with us! 💚

Address

11450 Park Road 5
Canyon, TX
79015

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 10pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 10pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 7am - 10pm
Sunday 7am - 10pm

Telephone

+18064882227

Website

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