Lighthouse Trail

The Lighthouse Trail is the signature hike of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, leading to the iconic Lighthouse hoodoo, a 300-foot pillar of banded red, orange, and white rock that stands as the most recognizable geological feature of the Grand Canyon of Texas, the second largest canyon in the United States. The trail traverses the full dramatic spectrum of Palo Duro Canyon scenery, crossing the canyon floor through juniper and mesquite woodland, scrambling over colorful rock formations, and passing through narrow draws flanked by towering canyon walls striped with 90-million-year-old sedimentary layers in vivid shades of red, yellow, and purple. The final approach to the Lighthouse requires a short scramble up eroded slopes to reach the base of the hoodoo for close-up views. The surrounding badlands landscape is otherworldly and photogenic at every turn, particularly in the golden light of early morning or late afternoon. Roadrunners, scaled quail, and golden eagles are frequently spotted along the trail. Summer heat in the canyon is extreme, and the trail should be hiked only in early morning during July and August. Fall and spring offer ideal conditions, with comfortable temperatures and excellent light for photography of the canyon's geological magnificence.