While staying in Amarillo, we had the chance to visit Palo Duro Canyon.  120 miles long and 20 miles wide, many claim it is the second largest canyon in the US.

Much greener than the Grand Canyon, you can drive down into it where there is much to see and do.

Wildlife is abundant.

A reconstruction of a cattleman’s dugout cabin can be seen.

There is a newly constructed walking/biking trail on the canyon floor with ample parking to see and enjoy the beauty of the canyon, crafted by Mother Nature using the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River’s power of erosion.

For an extended stay in the canyon, bring your RV and hook up to 50 AMP electrical service available in the Mesquite and Sagebrush Loops.

 Restrooms and showers are right there and there are dump stations close by.

Bring your horse and use the corral with adjacent campsites with bath and shower house.  You cannot, however, ride your horse to the bath and shower house.  😉

The first residents of this canyon used stone and bone tools and pottery they made themselves.

The beautiful Flint used to make knife blades, points, drills and scrapers came from the Alibates Flint Quarry.  It is a colorful agatized Dolomite that holds it’s edge very well and was well sought after.

The Alibates Flint Quarry is a National Monument about two hours north near Lake Meredith and can be seen by appointment only through the National Park Service.  Here the Native Peoples mined in more than 700 quarries, with pits 5 to 25 feet wide and 4 to 7 feet deep. 

The panhandle area has been through such a long drought that wildfires are springing up.  the first time we attempted to visit Palo Duro Canyon, it was closed due to wildfires, but a few days later we gained access.  We expected to see a blackened canyon, but were pleasantly surprised that the fire damage was contained to their areas.  Texas needs rain badly, and our thoughts and prayers are out for rainclouds to soon visit Texas and shed their moisture for the parched lands and people.