Today’s travel landed us farther north (still in Texas) at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It’s just south of Amarillo by about 25 minutes. We thought we knew a few secrets about Texas. This place however is their best kept secret.
Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Here are a few of its stats. The canyon is about 120 miles long. The average width is about six miles but reaches a width of 20 miles at places. It’s depth is 880 feet!
This canyon is known for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls, which are similar to those in the Grand Canyon. When I began research on this canyon I had it in my head that we would be on the rim camping like the we have done at Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Not here! We are on the floor of the canyon. It was a long steep 10% grade getting down in here.
Side note for the film buffs "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989). Where was it filmed? As Indiana Jones and his father ride off into the sunset at the end, that final shot was filmed here at Amarillo's Palo Duro Canyon.
AND another side note on our arrival we had to remember to look out for rattlesnakes and all the cactus while out with Jett. However there’s one thing that I forgot about … tarantulas!
Amarillo by morning! We will pass back through there in the morning on our way to the next destination.
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