Best Leg-Stretchers on Route 66:
Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon

At the park gate, we asked the ranger what trail he would suggest, and he recommended the Lighthouse Trail, which is the park’s most popular trail. It is a moderate trail which winds 2.8 miles each way from the car park, up to the Lighthouse Rock, and back; 5.6 miles (9km) in total. 

Distance: 5.6 miles (9km) total, out-and-back

Time Needed: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

I’ve done a fair share of hiking, and on this trip especially, hiking in the heat. But this trail was something different.

I imagine a lot of people will look at the distance and think “it can’t be that difficult”, but it is really important to consider that the temperatures in the canyon are often 5-10 degrees hotter than out on the rim. This is due to the canyon walls that trap the heat, it can be 32°C (90°F) up at the visitor centre on the rim, but it can easily be 38°C+ (100°F+) in the canyon, on the trail itself. 

Most heat related injuries and deaths that occur at the state park, occur on this trail, it is really important that you take water on this hike. It is recommended to have 1 liter of water per person, per mile. And be prepared, it can easily take a few hours to complete the hike.

The trail in theory is pretty easy, with a gentle well-marked path for most of the trail, aside from the final portion which is a scramble up to the ledge of Lighthouse Rock. 

We were nearly halfway through our water by the time we got to the bottom of the scramble portion, plus the temperature was rising pretty rapidly at that point (we were cursing ourselves for having a lie in, and not starting the day sooner), so we decided to head back just before the scrambling at mile 2.5. 

It’s really important to know your limits when hiking, which was proven even more as we made our way back to the car. We were passed by some of the park rangers and the emergency services who were heading to a family that had phoned in with heat exhaustion. 

Although we only did hiking at Palo Duro Canyon, there are plenty of activities available; 

• Backpacking

• Biking

• Guided tours

• Horseback riding

• Wildlife viewing

• Glamping

• As well as a number of facilities and amenities, full list on their website.

Entry Fee: The entry fee for an adult is $8, and under 12s go free. Note: Because this is a State Park and not a National Park, the federal America the Beautiful pass is not accepted here.

Booking Passes: The website does recommend reserving passes online, but we didn’t do this, and we visited early June and got in fine, however I would recommend booking if you are visiting during peak summer weekends.

Opening Hours: 07:30am, to 5:30pm for the office, and the gate closes at 10:00pm.

Trail Map: The trail map can be found here.

Critical Summer Trail Closures:

It is worth noting that some of the trails, including the Lighthouse Trail, will close from 11:00am to 5:00pm on days when the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory.

If you are visiting in the peak summer months of July or August, make sure that you visit early in the morning so you can avoid being in the canyon when the midday heat peak hits. Always check the Palo Duro Canyon website and Facebook page for trail updates.

Accessibility:

Palo Duro Canyon is such a beautiful and peaceful place, but I do have to warn readers to stay safe and make sure that if you are planning a hike here, that you take enough water and sun cream, and make sure that you’re wearing hiking boots too. We’ve seen so many people wearing sandals and even crocs when out hiking, and it doesn’t take much for a slight roll of the ankle to break a bone (sounds somewhat ironic coming from someone who has broken their metatarsal twice in 12 months!)

Although the majority of the trail is a gentle gradient and on a well-marked path, I wouldn't consider it accessible for wheelchairs.

There are toilets (including accessible toilets) at several locations across the park which can be seen on the trail map. Please note that there is a general lack of sanitary waste facilities for menstrual products in the US, certainly compared to what I'm used to in the UK, so please keep this in mind.

Disclaimers:

Please follow the principles from Leave No Trace whenever you visit a State Park or National Park.

• Plan Ahead & Prepare

• Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Leave What You Find

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Considerate of Others