Palo Duro State Park - Texas State Park

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Palo Duro State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview

Nature of the Area
Palo Duro Canyon is located on the southern high plains - area called El Llano Estacado or "staked plains." The rim of the canyon is considered part of the short grass prairie while the elevated moisture of the canyon floor supports a greater diversity of plants including some medium and tall grass species along with shrubs and trees. Common plant species include sideoats grama, big bluestem, Indian blanket, star thistle, fragrant sumac, mesquite and cottonwood trees. Several juniper species are also common.

Due to diverse habitats, Palo Duro Canyon contains many species of wildlife including the rare Texas Horned Lizard and Palo Duro Mouse. Other species include wild turkey, white tail and mule deer, barbary sheep, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, roadrunners and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is known for its rustic charm and for that very reason, we would like to encourage visitors not to feed the wildlife. On the canyon rim, longhorn steers which are a part of the official Texas State Longhorn Herd, may be viewed from the main road.

Geology

The canyon is approximately 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and 800 feet deep. Extending from Canyon to Silverton, Palo Duro Canyon was formed primarily by water erosion from the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, which began to carve the canyon less than one million years ago. The slopes of the canyon reveal the colorful natural history of the area.Dating back 250 million years, the oldest layers of rock, Cloud Chief Gypsum, can only be seen in a few areas in the canyon. The next oldest and most prominent layer of rock is the Quartermaster Formation which can be seen with its distinctive red claystone/sandstone and white layers of gypsum.

The Tecovas Formation is located directly above the Quartermaster and is composed of yellow, gray and lavender mudstone and sandstone. Together with the Quartermaster, they form the colorful triangular slopes called Spanish Skirts. Above the Tecovas, the Truijillo and Ogallala formations can be viewed. The Ogallala is composed of sand, silt, clay and limestone, which compose the hard caprock.

History of the Area
Man has inhabited Palo Duro Canyon for approximately 12,000 years. The Clovis and Folsom people first resided in the canyon and hunted large herds of mammoth and giant bison. Later on, other cultures such as the Apaches, Comanches and Kiowas utilized the canyon?s abundant resources.

Early Spanish Explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon "Palo Duro" which is Spanish for "hard wood" in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees. However - American did not officially discover the canyon until 1852 when Captain Marcy ventured into the area while searching for the headwaters of the Red River.

In 1874, Palo Duro Canyon was a battle site during the Red River Wars. Col. Mackenzie, under orders from the US Government -pprehended the Native Americans residing in the canyon by first capturing 1,400 horses and then later destroying the majority of the herd. Unable to escape, the Native Americans surrendered and were transported to reservations in Oklahoma. Then, from 1876 until 1890, most of the canyon belonged to the J.A. Ranch and was operated by Col. Charles Goodnight.

Life on the Edge? Webcast archivesFeaturing Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Panhandle Plains MuseumSee the archives of this broadcast from Texas largest history museum, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. Learn about the people -imals and plants that call this area home.

Ca?ita Ranch added to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife has purchased 2,036 acres adjacent to Palo Duro Canyon State Park along the parks southern boundary. Read more...

Activities Park activities include camping, horseback riding, hiking, nature study, bird watching, mountain biking and scenic drives.

While in the park, stop by and enjoy our Visitor Center located on the Canyon Rim. This rustic native stone building was constructed by the CCC in 1934 and houses a Museum and Museum Store. The store is located in the Visitor Center and features books, potter, jewelry and educational items pertaining to the Canyon.

More Info

information on Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas
Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 Park Road 5 Canyon, TX 79015 806/488-2227 pdc@palodurocanyon.com Welcome to the "Grand Canyon of Texas"! A
...ervations Clickable Map of Texas State Parks State Park Listing Education at Palo Duro Canyon State Park On-Site Programs Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers many different types of guided
...o Duro State Park ? Spring Break 2002 ?The Adventure Begins? This was our first trip ever with our Jayco pop up camper. We actually bought the camper on Tuesday at about 500p.m. and left the
...o Duro State Park Palo Duro State Park contact office is (806)488-2227 e-mail pdc@palodurocanyon.com Texas State Park
Number 512-389-8900 Palo Duro State Park Paul Greens "TEXAS

natural beauty of the canyon in Palo Duro State Park sets the stage for this performance which has received international
beauty of the canyon in Palo Duro State Park sets the stage for this

good word about the Fort Worth Astronomy Society to visitors at Palo Duro State Park and The Badlands National Park this summer
Star Talks" at Palo Duro State Park in June. On one occasion

and medical center. Gateway to Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument, Lake Meredith, Palo Duro State Park, Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Boys Ranch. (1965) Amarillo (Potter County) 3 miles
...Ranch is the oldest Texas Panhandle Ranch
HISTORY of the JA, THE RITCHIE FAMILY and the JA FAMILY The JA, the oldest ranch in the Texas Panhandle, has an illustrious history, tied to one family

following pictures are at the Palo Duro State Park and Visitors Center The following pictures were taken at the Currie Ranch south of Amarillo. HOME / PROJECTS
oil and gas are produced in Armstrong County. Recreation and tourist attractions include Palo Duro State Park, the pioneer Goodnight Ranch Home and the Caprock Roundup, which is held each year in

in the north east Texas Panhandle and maintained by Palo Duro State Park Officials. Panhandle Outside GuideFind information on
state of Texas. Palo Duro State ParkArrington Ranch House

Area Attractions
Outdoor Theater Productions

Now in its 39th sensational season of presenting Texas culture through its internationally acclaimed productions in the beautiful Pioneer Amphitheatre, the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation is embarking on a bold and innovative new theatrical journey. Outdoor Epic Theatre is at its best as the story of the Texas Panhandle unfolds year after year, with new chapters being continually added to the adventurous tale. For tickets call 1-877-58TEXAS or visit www.epictexas.com. The Sunday night performance is Heavenly Country.

Texas Legacies - Adventure of a Lifetime! See the second season of this production. Performances are held nightly except Sundays, June 3 through August 21st and July 4th.

Heavenly Country is the story of a New York fine arts critic who dies and goes to Heaven, only its Country Music Heaven and he thinks hes in "Hell!" Music includes many old country hits performed in a contemporary way, including songs by Hank Williams Sr., Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, Earnest Tubb, Hank Thompson, Patsy Cline and George Jones. The band accompanying the show is Heavens house band, the "Joyful Noise." Heavenly Country is performed every Sunday night from June 13th through August 22, excluding July 4th.

Equestrian

Come and experience Palo Duro Canyon up close and personal, the way the cowboys did On Horseback. The Old West Stables, located inside the canyon, offers guided tours to Timber Creek Canyon and the famous Lighthouse formation. Other services offered include wagon rides, campfire breakfasts, souvenirs and a snack bar. Bring the whole family! Reservations are required. Please call (806) 488-2180.

Other Area Attractions

Nearby activities include Storyland Zoo for Children, Nielsen Memorial Museum, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area -libates Flint Quarries National Monument, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, West Texas A&M University, Wildcat Bluff Nature Center and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.