On the rim of Palo Duro State Park, lies a roadside attraction with Zipline tours, cute tiny cabins for rent and a small campground. Offering approximately 30 full-hook sites, and a dozen or so primitive areas to set up camp for cheap. Since we bring our own electricity via a solar panel, we have everything we need without the need for hookups.  This campground does not allow gas generators, so come prepared.  The campground offers drinking water, full-flush toilet facilities and hot showers – just be sure to latch the door when you leave‘ cuz it gets really windy here and the shower doors can go all Dorothy on you. 

The canyon is the reason to come to the area in the first place. Without any knowledge of its existence, the monotonous flats of the Texas Panhandle give little indication of the stunning gash in the earth created by one fork of the Red River. With the park entrance, literally a dozen yards away, all the activities within are just a short bike ride or drive away from this campground. Hiking, walking, bird-watching, and even some very technical mountain biking opportunities are all part of the park’s draw. 

This campground offered us a great back-up plan.  We arrived at the State Park without any reservations, which is normal for us, and of course every site was booked out 5 months in advance. Though later when we in the park, we found dozens of campsites empty. This leads us to two conclusions, either: 1. The state park was severely limiting reservations to keep numbers in the park down or 2. People booked early and when the pandemic numbers got high, they bailed on their plans but not on their reservations.  Public service reminder! Even when you cannot get a refund, be sure to cancel your reservation so that others may take advantage of your spot.

The closest town for supplies, gas, groceries, and such is Canyon, TX which is about 10 miles away.