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The Rock Garden Trail at Palo Duro State Park is a 5-mile out-and-back trail and is considered a moderately challenging route that can take 2 hours and 14 minutes to complete (average). This is a popular area and you are likely to find others on the trails. Keep an eye/ear out for mountain bikers!
Rock Garden Trail – Palo Duro State Park
This is a trail that starts in a field of boulders at the bottom of the canyon and makes its way to the Fortress Cliff Trail along the canyon rim. The trail is mostly dirt/sand that is packed but can quickly become a muddy mess if it rains. Occasionally you will find loose rocks, gravel, roots, and natural stairs. Because you are starting at the bottom and have to make your way to the rim, there is a good amount of elevation (about 600 ft climb) but it’s broken up with switchbacks. The views are Impressive. You either have views of the canyon walls, the valley below, or rock formations along the trail.
Location
Palo Duro State Park is located about 12 miles east of Canyon, Texas on State Highway 217. From Amarillo, take Interstate 27 south to State Highway 217, and go east eight miles.
The trail is off Park Road 5 and it’s the only road in the park. You will need to follow the road and look for the trailhead. It’s towards the last part of the park road. Get yourself a trail map or download the pdf from the State Park’s website. That’s how we would find if we were to go back and try it again.
Park Address
11450 Park Rd. 5
Canyon, TX 79015
Hiking the Rock Garden Trail
The Rock Garden Trail was the second trail of the day (our first was the Cave Trail). We made the hike around mid-morning and it was a hot one. It was so hot that I nearly passed out (even though I had plenty of water and sun protection). The trail was recommended by one of our friends and she said it was her favorite trail (she lives about an hour away and has hiked most of the trails). We were with a group of people that included several kids less than 10 years old, teenagers, middle-aged adults, and one person in her 70s. The little ones were bouncing off the rocks and having fun. They did get tired as the trail got steeper. As the trails got steeper the adults started taking more breaks to catch their breath and drink water. For me, I was stopping every 5 minutes or so when I found shade to cool off, drink water, and pour water on my hat and a cooling rag. At about a mile and a half in I started getting sick and told my wife I was done and going back to the car, At that point everyone decided it was a good idea to head back.
When we got back to the trail the temperature gauge said it was 110 before and even hotter with the heat index. Once I got back in the car I was able to cool off. After that, we were done for the day. It’s just too hot to hike in the canyon in the summer after 12 p.m.
My Thoughts
During the hike I hated it. But looking back at the pictures I enjoyed the trail and want to go back and finish it one day. I think I hated it because of the heat and not being in the best of shape (recovering from COVID and having it about a month before the trip).
It is a nice trail that is maintained with a lot of views to take in. Out of the trails we hike during time at Palo Duro Canyon this trail might be my favorite.
Tips For the Rock Garden Trail at Palo Duro State Park
- Wear proper shoes. It is rocky, and sandy, and can be slippery with the elevation gains.
- Have sun protection – Proper Clothing, large brimmed hat, cooling cloths, and sunglasses. There isn’t much shade and the sun’s harmful rays reflect off the surfaces of the trails and rocks
- It is going to be hot. If hiking in the hot months temps can be in the high 90s into the 100s before noon. Don’t go out on the trail after 12 pm.
- Bring plenty of water – at least 2 liters in the hot months. You need to be drinking every 15 minutes or so. I try and drink about 8 oz. Electrolyte supplements/drops might help. Normally drink a electrolyte drink before, during, and after a hot hike to help fight dehydration. – Please speak with your doctor about the proper hydration for your hiking adventures.
- Bug Spray – In cooler months bugs may be biting.
- No cell signal anywhere in the park – Use AllTrails Pro to download the trail map. It will keep you on track if you go off-trail and lose your way.
Gear used on the trail
- Oboz Sawtooth B-Dry Shoes – Review | Amazon
- Ozark Trail 45 Liter Backpacking Backpack – Review | Walmart
- Outdoor Products 3 Liter Back Hydration Reservoir – Walmart
- Lixada Water Bladder Tube Cover – Amazon
- Magellan Outdoors Men’s Floatable Boonie Hat – Academy
- Texas Bushcraft Tactical Shemagh – Amazon
- EnergeticSky Trekking Poles – Review | Amazon (may be unavailable) | Other options
About the Images
I used my Sony a6000 and my Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS lens. The images were then edited with Adobe Lightroom CC, Topaz Labs Denoise AI and Topaz Labs Sharpen AI, Aurora HDR (no longer available but still a great product), and Luminiar Neo (partner discount codes: JJOHNSTPHOTOG10 – 10% off or JJOHNSTPHOTOG – $10 off) to clean up the images.
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