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Posted in Texas Natural Wonders, Nature February 07, 2017 by Katie Lawrence

Get Lost In The Desert In This Surreal Spot In Texas

When we think about beautiful desert spots in Texas, Big Bend is usually the first to come to mind. That isn’t surprising considering the immense splendor of the Chisos Mountains, but it often causes us to overlook other places that are equally as beautiful in their own right. Palo Duro Canyon is one such place. It may not tower as magnificently as Big Bend or be quite as large in area, but its brilliant red rocks and vibrant plant life make it unique and a surefire addition to any 2017 Texas travel bucket list.

The Palo Duro Canyon, or "hard wood" in Spanish due to the abundance of juniper trees in the area, has been open to the public for over a century.

It spans over 29,000 acres of the most beautiful portions of the canyon and is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and over 800 feet deep.

Boasting its status as the second largest canyon in the nation, second to only the Grand Canyon itself, it's truly a miracle that such a breathtaking place exists right here in Texas.

Visitors to the park can camp in tents or RVs (the sites have electricity and water), hike, bike, rent horses, picnic under the canopy formed by enormous cottonwood trees, and explore the Interpretive Center & Gift Shop for hands-on exhibits and souvenirs.

Every summer night, the moving musical drama "TEXAS!" plays out under the stars in a beautiful red rock amphitheater.

And during the day, you won't be able to get enough of the stark contrast between dry, dusty rock and thriving, lush greenery.

The entire family will enjoy the experience. Make sure you take lots of pictures to remember the fun! "The Lighthouse" rock is one of the most popular photo ops in the park.

No matter your agility level, age, or any other factor that might inhibit your desire to visit the canyon, everyone can appreciate its splendor in some way.

Have you ever been to Palo Duro Canyon? If you decide to take a trip there, here’s an idea of what the town has in store for you.

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Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing. Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.