Palo Duro Canyon, TX
Palo Duro Canyon is about 14 miles east of the city of Canyon Texas. The Canyon is sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Texas and it is the second largest canyon in North America behind the Grand Canyon. The park itself consists of 27,173 acres originally deeded by private land owners in 1933 and built into a State Park by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1937. Although much work remained to be done, the park officially opened on July 4, 1934.
Palo Duro Canyon is a place where erosion shapes the land, four bioregions intersect, cultures have met and clashed and change is the only constant. The majestic beauty of the canyon takes time to appreciate. The sights and sounds here are lost in most urban settings. The canyon is one of the most beautiful and majestic areas within Texas. The canyon is approximately 120 miles long and 600 to 800 feet deep. The canyon was formed less than 1 million years ago when an ancient river first carved its way through the Southern High Plains. The rocks expose a geologic story that began approximately 250 million years ago, layer by layer revealing a panoramic view of magnificent color. People are believed to have lived in the area for about 12,000 years.
jerry