Palo Duro Canyon Rim-to-Rim Trail Guide

Hike with us across the second-largest canyon in the United States at Palo Duro Canyon State Park! We’ve stitched together 11 miles of trails to cross our beloved Palo Duro twice in the last two weeks, and the accomplishment was so satisfying that I wanted to share the experience! This video includes trail explanations, maps, bathroom and parking info, and beautiful canyon views. Feel free to ask questions in the comments!

[@onemomcamping]

Buy PDC R2R swag from my friend Nerdy Native at www.barynuszart.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/pdc-rim-to-rim-logo-color

[@mindysmith554]

I tried to change the size on your rim to rim tshirt but can't seem to change it. I would love to purchase it after I complete this hike on Monday!

[@ADudeADogHiking]

Ugh! I can't wait. In less than 2 months Sophie and I will be hitting those trails!!

[@tommyhoyler]

Thanks for the video. Very very helpful. We saw the article in Texas Parks magazine and got interested. Your video finalized our plan. We made our hike on March 28, 2024. We figured 6 hours but it took us 7 hours. A little more difficult than planned. We are thrilled to have accomplished this feat. It was just the two of us, so we rented a car in Amarillo for the trip from Rock Garden trail back to the top at the CCC trail. We did not get started until 10am. We had perfect weather. Heavy frost on the car as we woke up but just cool as we started. Almost no wind for the day. Partly cloudy. We made several stops for water and snacks along the way and plenty of stops to take in the beauty of the canyon and take pictures, might have been why it took us an extra hour. Walking on Kiowa by the creek was peaceful. Hiking underneath the Fortress Cliff was breathtaking. We even saw a pair of eagles on the south point of the cliff. The CCC trail and Rock Garden were the hardest parts. I'm 70 years old and my wife is 69 years old, both is good health. Both just a little crazy for trying new things. My helpful hints, we took 5 bottles of water and it was exactly right. But if it had been hotter, we would have needed more. There are all sorts of bushes with thorns along the trail, wear long pants. There are numerous places where you could slip off the trail and fall, be extra careful. We were tired after the hike but equally mentally tired from being extra careful not to fall or slip. I took a walking stick with me and could not have made it without it. It helped stable me going up and down the many many places with rocks and logs along the trail. We were extra careful not to twist an ankle or pop a knee because of the remote location, help would be hard to find. We are glad we did it. Couldn't have done it without your video. Thank you.

[@onemomcamping]

No wind?! That’s like winning the lottery around here! Sounds like a perfect day to R2R; congrats on your successful hike! You’re totally right about water and exposure, especially on the Rock Garden trail. There are for sure a few places where a tumble could have consequences. Thanks for the reminder and congrats again! Well done!!!

[@darlenemckay265]

Beautiful

[@GoWildHistory]

This is a GREAT video. Awesome work Darla. :)

[@onemomcamping]

Thank you so much!

[@BaryNusz]

Great first video!!!

[@onemomcamping]

Thanks, Bary!

[@jonathanpatrick9373]

I'm looking to do RRR but with camping a night before turning back around, anyone have any idea if there's camping near there? Thanks!

[@onemomcamping]

Did you take your hike? There is camping near the base of the Rock Garden trail, about 1/2 mile east at the Fortress Cliff campground. If you camp there, though, on the return trip, I would suggest taking the Rojo Grande trail (which runs right behind the campground) to the Lighthouse Parking lot. Walk out of the parking lot and turn left, go across the bridge, and catch the Paseo Del Rio trail on your left. Paseo will run into Kiowa, which you can then take back to CCC the way you came. You’ll make a loop, but you won’t have to go halfway back up Rock Garden again to finish your RRR. I hope that, if you’ve already made your RRR hike, it went well!