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.
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.
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.
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.
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