I figured i would post this question here as opposed to the travel forum. I am from East Texas and although have traveled through the Panhandle, have never been to either Palo Duro or Caprock Canyons.

Our kids are 10 and 8 and do enjoy hiking and therefore that would be our main activity. We would not be camping but would be staying at a hotel in Canyon most likely.

Questions:
When is the best time to hike and see the canyons, spring break in a few weeks or this summer? Too cold to enjoy at spring break?
What else is there to do at either place? Or in surrounding areas? Just trying to gauge if we should spend two days or four days.

As always, thanks in advance TexAgs!

https://texags.com/forums/39/topics/2125220#r32210077

https://texags.com/forums/39/topics/1803079#r26190474

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2730533

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2249351

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2381983

https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/2393962

Those were a few threads I linked on another thread, do a search, there are a bunch of PD Canyon threads.

The weather from now through May is going to be wildly variable. It may be sunny and 80 during Spring Break, it may be a blizzard. The summer can also be nice, or it can hit 105. In either case, we are a high desert climate, so the nights are almost always cooler, delightfully so in the summer.

Spring Break is a very busy time in PD. And as people learn about CC, it is getting more and more crowded. But then, summer weekends are pretty bad, too.

Both parks are similar terrain. PD is a narrow canyon along the Caprock formation, CC is more along the edge of the Caprock, so instead of cliffs on both sides, the cliff is to the west, with rolling, lower terrain to the east.

If you stay in Canyon, it's an easy 90 minute drive to CC.

CC is a long way from a town of any size. Unless you find a B&B or VRBO, your lodging choices will be the Hotel Turkey or something even further away.

For PD, the hotels here in Canyon are an easy 15 minute drive to the gate, or you can stay further away in Amarillo. You can also find VRBO and other lodging in the Sunday Canyon area nearer the park. For example, kind of pricey, but pretty spectacular:

https://www.dovesrestcabins.com/

For CC, about the only thing other than the park is hiking segments of the Rails to Trails connected with the park.

PD, you also have Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, one of the finest regional museums in the United States. Lots of stuff that kids that age would like...cars, guns, dinosaurs, pioneer town.

As far as 2 or 4 days, up to you. Here's a quick list of things in the area, Google them up and see if they appeal:

Restaurants:
Tulia: El Camino
Canyon: Sayakomarns, Pepito's, Imperial Taproom, Palace Coffee
Amarillo: Tyler's BBQ, Tacos Garcia, Coyote Bluff
Umbarger: Rafter G (weekends only)
McClean: Red River Steakhouse

Other Attractions:
Goodnight: Charles Goodnight home and museum (inspiration for Lonesome Dove)
Silverton: Lake Mackenzie (spectacular drive up 207)
Amarillo: Botanical Gardens, Discovery Center, AQHA museum, Air and Space Museum. There's a car museum I haven't been to, Bills Backyard Classics
Plainview: Lllano Estacado an Jimmy Dean Museums
Hale Center: Hale County Farm and Ranch Museum
Lake Meredith: Alibates Flint Quarries, Lake Meredith
Umbarger: Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Panhandle: Square House Museum

Even if we have a cold day or two in spring break, the odds of the entire time being too cold are very slim. Spring cold snaps are usually very short lived. Id rather hike the lighthouse trail in the 30s than in the 90's, and in March there is a good chance you could do it in the 70's.

Thank both of you guys very much. Looks like we will hit an Aggie Baseball game on Friday night and then head that way for a few days. Looking forward to exploring a different part of this great state and introducing it to the kids. Let's just hope for no dust storm that week!

Big Bucks said:

---

Let's just hope for no dust storm that week!

---

Very few dust storms in the Amarillo area versus Lubbock due to the heavier soil up there compared with the sand in Lubbock. Plus the farmers currently do a much better job in preserving crop residues that better protect the soil. Also further north, you have more winter wheat crops not just cotton monoculture. But the spring is the windiest time of the year near Amarillo!

Just a belated quick thank you to you guys. We did an afternoon at Caprock Canyon after driving all morning and part of the afternoon, did a couple short hikes and ate at El Camino in Tulia that evening before driving up to Amarillo. The kids REALLY enjoyed Palo Duro Canyon as well as the Panhandle Plains museum. Guess we spent about four hours or so in there as well as two days at the canyon. Did the Lighthouse hike, two of the ones along the river at the bottom and then one on top out to Goodnight peak. The other dinners in Amarillo were the Big Texan (I know, I know) as well as 575 Pizzeria which was excellent and i would highly recommend. Fantastic beer selection there as well. It was right at freezing both mornings but warmed up so I think spring break instead of the summer was definitely the right call. Thanks again.

Glad you enjoyed it. We had some good days and some bad days here for Spring Break.

Nothing really wrong with the Big Texan, you're just paying for the atmosphere and the reputation. In my opinion the steaks are okay, not great. But as a one time bucket list, especially with kids, sure, go for it.

And the owners of the Texan are good members of the community and do a lot to promote Amarillo tourism.

http://thesouthernweekend.com/the-grand-canyon-of-the-south/?utm_source=RMProperties&utm_medium=outbrain&utm_campaign=outbrain_June_2018&utm_source=RMProperties&utm_medium=outbrain&utm_campaign=outbrain_July_2018