Best of 2009 Travel: Part 10 of 10 - Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas

It’s not as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon or as magical as the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon but for sheer unexpected scenery, Palo Duro Canyon outside of Amarillo, Texas is a gem. Heading south out of Amarillo on Interstate 27 the scenery is flast and bucolic. This setup is part of what makes Palo Duro interesting – it’s unexpected.

A small visitors center near the parks entrance tells the story of the area’s geology and history. An overlook allows views to most of the canyon from the center’s elevated location. A paved road descends into the canyon making a large loop. Trails criss-cross the canyon and various picnic areas and campgrounds are available too.

Palo Duro is no substitute for some of the west’s great canyons, but it’s a great place to get outdoors in the Texas panhandle.