Palo Duro State Park

Palo Duro State Park is a large nature reserve featuring layered canyon walls with bands of red, orange, and brown stone alongside open grasslands. The terrain combines deep rocky valleys with elevated plateau areas that create dramatic elevation changes throughout the landscape.

The Red River carved these canyons over millions of years, exposing rock layers from ancient periods far back in Earth's history. The park itself was established in its current form during the 20th century to protect this geological treasure.

For centuries, Comanche and Kiowa peoples used this canyon system as hunting grounds and seasonal camps, finding shelter in its depths. Walking through the landscape today, visitors can sense the long human presence embedded in these places.

The park offers multiple trails for different activity levels, from gentle walks to challenging hikes and bike routes through the canyons. You can stay on the rim or descend into the valleys depending on your fitness level and what you want to experience.

The canyon is home to one of the nation's most important populations of black-footed ferrets, a rare species found nowhere else in significant numbers. This wildlife conservation effort is a key part of what makes the park special beyond its geological features.