Texas is a state full of incredible natural attractions. However, one of the most surprising natural attractions, as well as historically important, in the Lone Star State is the Palo Duro Canyon. Also known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep. Palo Duro Canyon stretches from the city of Canyon to the city of Silverton and today is part of the 20,000-acre Palo Duro Canyon State Park, one of the most unique state parks in Texas.
Story
Palo Duro Canyon was originally formed by a fork of the Red River. The oldest rock layer in the canyon dates back 250 million years. However, this layer of rock, known as Cloud Chief Gypsum, can only be seen in a few places throughout the canyon. The most prominent rock layer in the canyon is the Intendente Formation, which is made up of red clay, sandstone, and white gypsum. The Intendancy Formation, together with the Tecovas Formation, form a feature known as “Spanish Skirts.”
Although the region around Palo Duro Canyon is one of the least densely populated areas in Texas, the Canyon itself was one of the first homes of people in Texas. Scientists believe that human use of the Palo Duro cannon dates back to about 12,000. The Clovis and Folsom peoples were among the first to reside and use Palo Duro Canyon. Throughout time, the canyon was also important to various Indian tribes, including the Apaches and Comanches. Although the “official discovery” of the Palo Duro canyon, the first time an American found it, is listed in 1852, the Spanish Indians and explorers had known and used the cannon for hundreds of years at that time.
A quarter of a century after the first American “discovery” of the Palo Duro cannon, it was the site of some of the most infamous “Indian wars and battles” in American history. In 1874, the remaining Indian population was expelled from Palo Duro Canyon and relocated to Oklahoma.
Once the Native Americans were purged from the Palo Duro Canyon, the canyon fell into private property until it was ceded to the state of Texas in 1933. During part of its time as private property, the Palo Duro Canyon was part of a Great ranch owned by the famous Charles Goodnight. However, once the property was transferred to the state, it became a state park, opened for public use on July 4, 1934.
Visiting the park
Today, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the “Grand Canyon of Texas” are common. But, so are the more adventurous outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking and camping are among the most popular activities at Palo Duro State Park. Mountain biking and horse riding are also popular activities. In fact, Palo Duro State Park maintains and operates the “Old West Stables,” which offer guided horse and wagon tours. Bird watching and nature watching also attract several visitors, who can expect to see some rare wildlife specimens, such as the Texas horned lizard, Palo Duro mouse, Barbary sheep, roadrunners, and rattlesnakes. of western diamonds.
Those who wish to spend the night at Palo Duro Canyon State Park have a variety of options. The park has three two-bedroom cabins, four “limited-service cabins” (no indoor bathrooms), water and electric campsites, water-only campsites, primitive hiking campsites, and backpack campsites.
