Palo Duro Canyon and surrounding areas offer unique equestrian camping opportunities 30 miles south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The region features dramatic elevation changes, with the canyon floor sitting about 800 feet below the surrounding plains. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall ideal for horse camping trips.
What to do
Trail riding access: Fortress Cliff Primitive at Palo Duro Canyon State Park connects to miles of multi-use trails through the canyon's distinctive geological features. "Great fun, so pretty, awesome hiking and biking, pet friendly. We stayed 3 days in late February weather was amazing," writes Robert M. about the experience.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings at Hackberry Campground provide opportunities to spot native species. "We saw several deer in the park and a couple of turkeys running down the road," notes Helen P., who stayed at Hackberry. Some campers report hearing coyotes at night.
Photography spots: Visit canyon overlooks during golden hour for optimal lighting on the red rock formations. "There were sooo many stars. People were turning their lights off and just looking at the stars. Very pretty. Especially when the coyotes starting talking back and forth," says Ben J. about the nighttime views at Hackberry.
What campers like
Secluded camping areas: Plum Creek at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers free camping with complete privacy. "Camped on a monday night in august and had the campground to ourself! Arrived around 7:30pm and left at 9am, absolutely perfect weather," shares Julie S.
Horse facilities: Equestrian-specific amenities simplify trips with horses. "This place is FREE! It has plenty of trees and miles upon miles of trails. There is definitely water for the horses (courtesy of local Eagle Scouts) and pens as well," Phil & Jennifer K. note about Plum Creek's facilities.
Canyon views: Campsites with direct sightlines to canyon walls are particularly popular. "We were on the outer loop and had awesome views of the canyon walls," explains Sonora J. about Fortress Cliff, adding that they "saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night."
What you should know
Weather conditions: Extreme temperature variations require preparation. "It gets very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter, typically," advises Phil & Jennifer K. about conditions at Plum Creek. The canyon area has minimal shade at many sites.
Road access challenges: The steep entrance roads require caution with horse trailers. "The road in is very steep going down and it is gravel," warns N I. about accessing Plum Creek. Similarly, Palo Duro Canyon features "hairpin turns and 10% grade going in and out of the campground area."
Bathroom facilities: Equestrian Campground has limited facilities compared to other park areas. "I don't believe there are any restrooms here... Looks pretty good, but I'd wish for bathrooms on site," notes Roger W., who adds that bathrooms and showers are available "down the road."
Cell service: Connection is limited or nonexistent in most canyon areas. "No Verizon coverage, but Sprint could text only," reports Ben J. about connectivity, while Roger W. mentions "one bar" of AT&T service at the Equestrian Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with shade: Look for campgrounds with covered picnic areas during summer months. At Plum Creek, campers appreciate the "big fire rings, barbecue, and covered picnic tables" mentioned by Julie S.
Insect preparation: Bring appropriate repellents, especially during warmer months. "Lots of bugs" was noted as one of the few "downfalls" at Fortress Cliff by Sonora J., who otherwise rated their experience highly.
Wildlife education: Use animal sightings as learning opportunities. "Wildlife at camp - saw roadrunner and heard coyotes at night (eerie but also magical)!" shares Sonora J., highlighting how natural encounters can become memorable parts of the family camping experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Hackberry Campground, "the sites are difficult for newer people to back into, with narrow roads and angled sites with trees and bollards aplenty," according to Jackie R. Consider your rig size and backing skills when selecting sites.
Water quality issues: Bring additional drinking water if sensitive to treatment chemicals. "Literally only minus was that the water was really chlorine-y. But hey, I'll take any potable water over no hookup!" notes Amy & Stu B. about their Hackberry stay.
Campsite boundaries: At horse campgrounds near Amarillo, Texas, site delineation can be unclear. Roger W. observes that at Equestrian Campground, "campsites do not seem that well defined to me... there are no site numbers," which may require establishing your space upon arrival.
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