Palo Duro Canyon SP in TX - site recommendations?

[Between Trips]

The plan is to go the weekend over either Memorial Day or Independence Day. Primitive or hookups, doesn't matter. Any site numbers to recommend? TIA

[Between Trips]

The plan is to go the weekend over either Memorial Day or Independence Day. Primitive or hookups, doesn't matter. Any site numbers to recommend? TIA

[jperry29]

JiffyPop,

Sorry nobody has replied with a specific recommendation for you.

I have never camped in PD but I have day-visited countless times. I went to college in Canyon, the closest town to PDSP, and popped over to the park every chance I got.

I did not start RVing until I got to Georgia so I never paid much attention to the RV part of the campground. However, I very distinctly remember that Palo Duro was prone to flash floods. The local news would always show a bunch of RV's bunched up together where the flood had shoved them into a canyon wall gap too small for them to get through.

So it is good that you are trying to get recommendations on which is the best site.

[Mac and Chris]

We stayed there for a few days in Spring, 2005. Can't recall site numbers, but if you go during the week it's not usually very full and they'll let you drive around and pick out a site.

We checked in at the gate and told them our preference to look around, and they told us to pick a site and let them know, or to check with a camp host if we saw one.

Watch that grade going down. It's 8-10% for about 1.5 miles

Here's a link to our blog where we wrote about it. Photos too.

Mac

Oh, regarding the flash floods. They are worse down into the canyon. We camped in the first circle you come to. Ask the hosts, they'll know.

Mac

[TXiceman]

JiffyPop, it has been years since we stayed at palo Duro canyo. Our favorite are was the one fartherest from the enterance. It was rocky and looked like a moon-scape. This is fine for early summer or spring. If it is hot, go for the first section with trees.

The climb out of the canyon is pretty steep, but should not be a problem, just slow and easy.

Another nice SP to vist in the area is Cap Rock Canyon. It is about an 1-1/2 hours south of Palo Duro. The campground is up on top, but the hiks in the canyon are great.

Ken

[Between Trips]

Thanks for the responses. I've read about possible flash floods, so this would be a concern since I prefer to set up down into the canyon.

Caprock was recommended to me on another forum also. Might be better as it is closer to home and my vacation time is limited. Any flood issues there?

Mac - nice blog. That Big Texan Steak House looks interesting. Ever tried that 72 oz steak?!

[TXiceman]

Cap Rock is a totally different place than Palo Duro. It is more up close and much smaller. Near by in Turkey, Texas is the Bobb Wills memorial.

Ken

[OkieCat]

We spent three nights at Caprock in October 2004 instead of our planned one night because Palo Duro had closed due to floods. Caprock does have one campground that is closed sometimes during heavy rains. The road to it had been damaged during some flooding the week before, so that part was closed. We enjoyed our stay at Caprock. We ride bicycles so the nearby Trailway was a lot of fun for us. Hiking into to canyon area was also a great way to spend the day even if we got pretty muddy. That red clay is mighty sticky after some good rain. There are a couple of cute little towns around that area. We liked eating lunch at a local diner and checking out Turkey as well.

We were able to drive into Palo Duro SP the last day in the area and found it to be very scenic. Ken is right, they are two very different canyons. We were sad that we weren't in the area during the season to see the play at Palo Duro. I hear it is VERY good.

Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your trip!!