Got info on Palo Duro State Park?

[popupcop]

In a few weeks we plan to go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo, Texas. Since we have never been to this park, and the reservations are only for a camp space--but not a specific camp space--we are wondering what kind of heat to expect since we can guarantee no shade. There may be no sites with shade anyway.
 
I saw an earlier post where Wayfarer went in September. He said 90s for days and almost jacket cool at night.
 
Anyone been there in a PU in June? Will reflective bunk end covers be enough to stem the heat? (Yes we live in the south and we have A/C). Are the bathrooms/showers clean and are they still convenient if you are stuck in a less convenient campsite?
 
Also are there some suggestions for day trips out of the park into the surrounding sight-seeing places? I know the big steak house on I-40 and the Cadillac Ranch are two important tourist meccas but are there other interesting things too?
 
We have looked at the Amarillo Tourism website, the Palo Duro Park website and the Clovis, NM website but thought there might have been some locals or some folks who were there first who could give some insight...
 
Thanks in advance...

[Harhir]

Great park. I have been there a few times so far. Actually my favorite SP in Texas.
Offcial park side:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/paloduro/
Non official park side but lots of great pictures:
http://www.palodurocanyon.com/
Photos:
http://www.palodurocanyon.com/tour.php

Map of the park:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/paloduro/pdcpfac.pdf

I like the campsites at the end. The Mesquite Camp area. They have the best views in the park. However no or limited shade.
See pic #33 from non official park side above
If you want shade try to get a spot in the Hackberry camp area. Lots of trees but only limited views.
See pic #40.
The Sagebrush has some nice views but not as nice as the Mesquite area.

Great place for hiking and mountain biking. Take lots of water and it will be very hot in summer.
They have a little store in the park. The next town is Canyon.

Must see's in the areas:
Big Texan Steak Ranch:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAsteak.html
They have great steaks. It is towards the east end of Amarillo on the north side of the interstate.
Cadillac Ranch:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAcadillac.html
Traffic signs in Amarillo:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==3919

This is us in front of the tired pole:
http://thumb4.webshots.com/t/24/24/1/79/44/280217944KSUEcq_th.jpg

Live stock auction in Amarillo and other attractions:
http://www.texasoutside.com/amarilloframes/livestockframes.htm
The live aution is always Tuesdays.

For a rainy day:
http://www.panhandleplains.org/

Enjoy
Stefan

[altozwei]

i spent four summers working in Palo Duro at the theatre.The canyon is a great place but it can be quite hot in the summer. Definitely take Popup Gizmos, if you have them, as the canyon floor can be considerably hotter than up top during the day. There is good hiking and horseback riding in the park. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes in the early mornings and evenings-- too hot for them to be out during the day. You may not ever see one but better to be aware than surprised. Also, some summers (but not every year), tarantulas are in abundance. They are completely harmless but they can startle you if you are not expecting them.
 Some suggestions for entertainment in the area: there is the outdoor musical performed nightly in the canyon, "Texas Legacies". This is an updated version of the show that has been in production there for many years. It is quite fun and has some nice effects along with the singing and dancing. If you've never seen it, its worth a look.  In the town of Canyon there is the Panhandle-Plains Museum. Its a very good history museum for the region.  Amarillo has the American Quarter Horse Association HQ--they also have a very nice museum. North of Amarillo on the Canadian River is Lake Merideth, an excellent place to cool off during the day. There is the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument at Lake Merideth but I understand that tours are by reservation only. Also there is another outdoor musical, "Lone Star Rising" performed at the Lake Merideth Amphitheatre. Lake Merideth is about 30 minutes north of Amarillo.

Patti

[popupcop]

Thanks for the replies.  We went to Palo Duro last week.  We arrived on Saturday June 18, 2005 and planned to stay for seven nights so we would have plenty of time to do everything.  We did see Texas Legacies and it was great.  There was a tornado warning for the canyon just as we were 10 miles out.  We waited through hail and hard rain for about thirty minutes before heading on in.  We were just able to get our camper up before the rain set in again.  It rained hard enough that the hiking trails and most of the canyon was closed until Wednesday.  While waiting we tried to look at the surrounding area.
 
We went to the childrens museum over near the Amarillo hospital for one afternoon.  It was really neat for adults and kids too.  
 
We took a day trip to Clovis, New Mexico.  The main attraction was actually going by the huge feed lots and along the (100 plus train a day) double tracked Burlington Northern Santa Fe main line while driving from Canyon Texas along U.S. Hwy 60.  It is about two hours drive.  
The Big Texan Steak house put on a good feed as well for about $20.00 per person. Nobody was trying to eat the free 72 ounce steak when we were there.
 
By the time the trails and canyon opened up, the trails were still impassable due to mud.  We tried one trail and turned around to come back to another.  We were able to make a two mile hike back out to the road though it was really muddy too.  We came back on the road to knock the mud off of out feet before we got back into the car.
 
The wife and kids coughed up 35 dollars apiece to take a one hour trail ride on horseback.  They said it was great and I was glad they went.  I had some time to myself to read while they were gone.
 
We decided to leave on Friday instead of Saturday as planned.  We were able to easily get a refund on our last night's camping fees.  While we were there, the campground had lots of folks who came in for a day or two then left.  With the exception of one group in a tent, we had the lowest class rig there.  
 
This campground was quiet, clean and convenient (10 miles) to a grocery store and a Walmart Supercenter.  We say no snakes and one tarantula.  Since Western Arkansas has both, I have a healthy respect for snakes and find the tarantulas fascinating.
 
I would definately stay there again but would not plan to stay as long as there is not much to do in Amarillo.