Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Dubbed the Grand Canyon of Texas, this canyon is awe-inspiring. Spanning a distance of 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and more than 800 feet deep, this is no little crack in the ground. To put things into perspective, Palo Duro State Park encompasses a mere 5% of the canyon’s expanse; the rest is privately owned. As you plunge into the canyon depths from the ranger station, it’s hard to believe that the massive canyon laid out before you is just a slight 5% of what this canyon offers. Between state- and private-funded activities, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy while visiting this geological wonder.

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10. Visit the Visitor Center and Museum – Want to learn some fascinating history of the canyon? You’ll want to visit the Visitor Center, which houses an impressive gallery. Get your hands on some one-of-a-kind native art and goods found only in this region. Then be sure to explore the exhibits, videos and information on the canyon. The Visitor Center is home to a wall of windows promising a view of some jaw-dropping expanses. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about the area. It is happy to answer any questions and point you in the right direction to walk out with a piece of art to commemorate your trip to Palo Duro Canyon.

9. TEXAS Outdoor Musical—This outdoor drama runs seasonally in the amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon. This show brings to life the lives of the Texas Panhandle Pioneers of the 1880s, with the canyon walls serving as the dramatic backdrop. Running for more than 57 years, millions of people have attended this show. Reserve tickets well in advance to ensure you get to see this show. For an authentic experience, arrive early for the Chuck Wagon Texas BBQ dinner, a hearty meal full of smoked meat favorites with all the fixins.

8. Take a Jeep tour – If hiking and biking aren’t your thing, you can still explore the canyon without expending too much energy other than the occasional hoot and holler. Take a Jeep tour of the canyon with Palo Duro Creek Ranch and see the canyon up close and personal—via the expert driving skills of your tour guide. Tours range from 1 to 3 hours and take guests from the canyon rim to the depths of the canyon floor, passing geological wonders, wildlife and native flora and fauna. You’ll want to have your camera in hand as you pass Yellow Bear Bluff and Crazee Woman Slide before descending into the depths of the canyon walls, passing the unforgettable sights the canyon affords to its visitors.

7. Zip across the canyon floor – Ready for a genuinely adrenaline-filled experience? Zip across the canyon for a bird’s eye view of the massive expanse below. Palo Duro Zip, located just outside the main entrance to the park on the rim, offers zipline tours. Fly high across a quarter of a mile of the canyon and experience the canyon from an entirely different perspective. For those that can’t quite stomach flying over an 800-foot-deep canyon, you can join the chicken tour to view the expanse of the canyon with your two feet planted firmly on the ground.

6. Embrace your pioneer roots – Take a horseback ride through the canyon for those who want to embrace their roots and try something authentic. Several outfitters take guests deep into the canyon walls, promising an epic experience. As your horse expertly trots along the trails, you can almost imagine the feet that crossed these paths before you, forging a new life and a new way in the wild expanse of Texas.

5. Grab a world-famous hamburger – A world-famous hamburger in a remote canyon in Texas is a thing? Yes, it is. You must stop at the Palo Duro Trading Post, deep in the heart of the canyon. To say this trading post is well-stocked is an understatement. You’ll find everything you need—and want—in this canyon outpost. The burgers are delicious, and adorning their side is a pile-high stack of shoestring, piping hot French fries. After you’ve had your fill of perfectly toasted buns filled with uniquely seasoned hamburger patties, stock up on any camp items you may need. Then peruse the incredibly well-stocked store boasting clothing, accessories, jewelry, toys and much more. Who knew all this was nestled perfectly into the canyon floor?

4. Watch an epic sunrise over the canyon – The sun slowly rises over the horizon, gently kissing the canyon walls and lighting them on fire; it’s a sight you’ll want to sit and revel in—and capture with your camera. The colors of the canyon range from hues of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, greens to shades of brown. As the sun ignites all these colors on fire, it’s a sight you won’t want to miss. The Canyon Overlook parking lot on the upper level next to the Visitor Center is a great place to take in this daily natural wonder.

3. Bike like a true Texan – As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and biking through Palo Duro Canyon is no exception. The canyon boasts many bike-friendly trails, including the Capital Peak Trail, encompassing all ability levels from easy to difficult. And if you’re passionate about biking, join in on the 24 Hours in the Canyon bike race hosted every June in the canyon. This race is the country’s only 24-hour simultaneous road and mountain bike event. It’s your opportunity to bike for a cause through breathtaking terrain.

2. Hike, hike, hike! – With more than 36 miles of trails ranging from easy to challenging, you’ll find an enjoyable hike while visiting the park. The geology inside of the canyon will have you hiking along sandstone canyon walls layered in sparkling gypsum capped in alabaster. Keep your eyes peeled for the many hoodoos that litter the canyon, ranging from cute and adorable to mighty and tall. The Lighthouse Trail is a popular hike that takes hikers to the towering duo of hoodoos rising from the sandy floors of the canyon to more than 300 feet. The Lighthouse Trail is a relatively flat (until the end, then expect up, up, up) trail traversing just under 3 miles (one way). Pick up the Lighthouse Trail from the Givens, Spicer, Lowry Trail for a slightly more challenging and longer hike, adding another 3 miles one way. This trail is a favorite among the rangers.

1. Camp at the base of the canyon – Whether you bring your RV or stay in one of the glamping tents, your stay will surely be unforgettable. There’s nothing more satisfying and exhilarating than camping at the base of the canyon. As the sun sets, painting the canyon walls in every red, orange and pink hue, keep your ears open as the coyotes begin their calls across the canyon walls. As their howls and yelps bounce around the canyon, you feel as if you’re one of the original inhabitants of the canyon, respecting the land and animals that had called this canyon home long before a human foot brushed across the sandstone basin.

Whether you visit for a day or stay in the canyon for several days, this is a place you’ll bookmark to return to again and again. A geological wonder and a force to be reckoned with, Palo Duro Canyon is one of Earth’s reminders of how genuinely mighty she is.

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