This Scenic Texas Hike Is Even Better in the Winter

Are you looking for the perfect trail in Texas to hike this winter? If so, then we found it for you! You'll love the Lighthouse Trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle. This hike is beautiful at any time of the year, but its especially serene and stunning in the winter months.

If you're lucky, you may even have this trail all to yourself. If you're even luckier, and if you time your hike just right, you might even glimpse some snow on this winter hike. Read on to learn more about The Lighthouse Trail and get ready to take it on!

If you haven't been to Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle region, then you are really missing out. This is one of the most beautiful state parks in Texas, filled with red rock formations, mountains, desert plants and wildlife, and much more.

The canyon for which this park is named is the second largest canyon system in the nation — after the Grand Canyon, of course. The canyon itself is approximately 25 to 50 miles long, with an average width of six miles. However, it is as wide as 20 miles at some points, and averages 800 feet deep.

Palo Duro Canyon is a popular park and is visited often by Texas residents and out-of-state visitors. In the winter, however, it's far less busy than it is during other times of the year. In the summer, people come from all over to hike, bike, horseback ride, and camp or stay in cabins in this park, but the crowds die down as the weather cools. Still, you can do all of those things at Palo Duro Canyon State Park at any time of the year, and you should! This park is truly incredible.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park has 16 different trails, and they're all breathtakingly beautiful. One of the most popular among them is The Lighthouse Trail. This trail is 5.9 miles out-and-back, but you'll only experience about 500 feet of elevation gain along the way. It's rated moderate overall.

On your hike, you'll pass by spectacular and colorful cliffs that will take your breath away. There are dozens of excellent photo opportunities on this trail. The landscape is unusual and striking.

At the end of this trail, after a brief, steep scramble, you'll reach the rock formation for which it was named. The Lighthouse rock formation is sandstone and is over 300 feet tall. The area around this formation is often busy with other hikers during the warmer months, but you may be able to enjoy it alone in the winter. The stone bridge that leads to the formation offers panoramic views of the canyon, too. The Lighthouse is a rewarding destination to reach at the peak of your hike.

After you've taken your photos and have spent a few moments (or longer) taking in all the beauty around you, it's time to head back the way that you came to return to your vehicle at the trailhead. This hike is amazing and you are sure to feel accomplished after this adventure.

If you still have energy left over, we recommend you try another hike in Palo Duro Canyon, as they're all beautiful! You might also like the Rock Garden Trail or the Palo Duro Canyon Caves Trail. Be sure to plan for a lot of time for exploration in this park. There's so much to see and do in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and winter is certainly an excellent, quiet, and stress-free time to do it.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.