Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, Texas

Casually referred to as the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon has some beautiful vistas, colorful erosion and interesting history associated with it. At 1000 feet deep and 100 miles long, the state park has a visitor's center, horseback riding, trading post, several day use areas, four campgrounds and lots of pedestrian, bike and horse trails. With a late check-out time of 2 p.m., we found that a one night stay here is sufficient. The Pioneer Amphitheater is also set in the basin of the canyon, offering the "Texas" musical drama during evenings June through August. The show is spectacular since it is an outdoor venue, using the canyon walls as its scenery and backdrop.  Live music, great acting, wonderful sets set the stage, while
stagecoaches, horses, fireworks, gunshots and lightning make for a show that rivals Broadway productions. If you stay in the canyon, the musical is a must-see.  Two of the four canyon campgrounds are designated for tents only. The Mesquite and Hackberry camps are for tents, trailers or RVs. Mesquite is set deep into the canyon and furthest from the amenities. It offers some scenic sites set up against the red walls of the canyon and some spectacular views of the basin valley. Hackberry has sites that are more private and surrounded by shrubbery, as well as a few sites that are more spacious and set along a grassy area with views of the red canyon walls. All sites throughout the canyon offer picnic tables, fire pits and most offer an awning over the picnic area. Pads are gravel, however interior roads are paved.

Location
Mesquite Camp:
Good Sites: 83, 85, 87-90
Poor Sites: None
Hookups: Water & Electric
Potable Water: Yes
Dump Within Facility: Yes

Hackberry Camp:
Good Sites: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9
Poor Sites: 20, 22, 24
Hookups: Water & Electric (30 amp only)
Potable Water: Yes
Dump Within Facility: Yes