Palo Duro review

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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 saw no snakes and one tarantula.  Since Western Arkansas has both, I have a healthy respect for snakes and find the tarantulas fascinating.  Watch for both in West Texas!
 
I would definately stay there again but would not plan to stay as long as there is not much to do in Amarillo.

[kwatson51]

Yep. Welcome to Texas.
Passed by there a couple of weeks ago w/o the PUP. Was kinda wonderin' about how it would be to camp there, and if it was worth the trip from Colorado.

[Harhir]

We love Palo Duro Canyon. We will be there again over Thanksgiving.

The park itself is great. Beautiful hiking trails. Lots of wildlife. Snakes, lizards (I even saw a Texas Horned Lizard twice), tarantulas, scorpions, coyotes, .....
For nature lovers there are lots of things to discover in the park itself.
Also great for photography.

Then if you want to discover the surroundings:
Amarillo:
- Cadillac ranch
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAcadillac.html

- Historic Route 66. Runs right through it. Lots of tourist stores.

- The weird road signs in Amarillo
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/TX-CadillacRanch3.html
My Trooper parked at the "Tired Pole"
http://family.webshots.com/photo/1055022866036627793qSWYWk


- The bid Texan Steak Ranch
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/TXAMAsteak.html

- The set of legs along the highway between Amarillo and Canyon
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==1242

- The livestock auction in Amarillo. Every Tuesday live auctions.
http://www.texasoutside.com/amarilloframes/livestockframes.htm
Just don't raise your hands or you may be towing a livestock trailer back home ......

- The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon. Very interesting.
http://www.panhandleplains.org/
Good for a rainy day. Just a few minutes from the canyon.

Other tips:
http://www.texasoutside.com/amarilloframes/livestockframes.htm