Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Hiking the Lighthouse Trail

I wanted to name this blog post, “Texas, our Texas, all hail the mighty state,” but I didn’t figure all you non-Texas would appreciate that.

(I’m totally not serious…I just really wanted to make a reference to the state song!)

A month and a half ago I left my beautiful Colorado to go back to the Mother land – aka, Texas. My sister was making a quick weekend trip so she could be a part of a wedding, so I decided to tag along.  We left late in the evening, drove through the night, and got to Amarillo by morning.

Yes – I made 527 jokes about “Amarillo by morning”….it was pretty much the best part of the trip!

When I found out we’d be passing within 30 minutes of Palo Duro Canyon, I knew we’d have to make a side excursion.  Amarillo is about halfway between Ft Worth and Colorado Springs so it made for a great pit stop anyways!

I was looking online for the best trail to hike in Palo Duro and overwhelmingly the Lighthouse trail was suggested as the number one pick.  After hiking it I can see why! Clocking in around 6 miles, it was by no means a quick trip, but it was definitely worth the effort once we got to the end of the trail.

PS, if you are coming down from a higher elevation to hike this trail you are going to be major impressed with yourself! Coming from almost 7000 ft of elevation we hiked this 6 mile trail in two and half hours!! And I was carrying a baby…#momscore.

Restrooms: No, not at time of my visit (8/2018)

Distance: This trail is generally known for being 6 miles, although I think it is technically 5.44 miles out and back.  However, the mileage does not account for the scramble up the hill and actual walk to the Lighthouse.

Difficulty: The trail is easy, the short ascent past the end of the trail is moderate depending on your fitness level

Pets OK? Yes, but make sure you bring plenty of water for them!!

Crowds: moderate to heavy. This is the most popular hike in Palo Duro

Fees/Permits: $5/person

Tips:

• If you are hiking anytime around summer (which in Texas is longer than in some other states), please be aware of the heat. We started before 8AM, and it was already almost 100 degrees by the time we were finished. You MUST be prepared for the heat: LOTS of water, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. There is no shade on this hike, so be prepared before you go.
• I suggest starting early for this trail.  It’s very popular, but was not very crowded around 8AM.
• The actual trail for this hike ends before you get to the Lighthouse.  You will have to traverse a rough ascent to get to the top. It’s very doable, just be mentally prepared.
• At the end of the trail, there will be a picnic table with a footpath going up from the left of it.  Once you go up a short ways the footpath splits into two. We took the right path.  Please look through the below pictures, as I show both the right and the left path.  I’m sure the left would have also took you to the top, but I can’t speak from experience.  There was one section on the path we took that we had to spider crawl up and scoot down.  We probably didn’t absolutely have to do that, but with carrying a baby we thought it’d be safer.
• I hiked this trail with a baby, and I saw others hiking with kids, but it won’t be for everybody.  Please look through all my pictures to see what kind of landscape you’ll get into at the end.
• Did I mention bring water? LOTS of water. The current suggestion is a gallon a person.
• Please be aware that snakes are a very real possibility.  Be aware of your surroundings.
• Depending on the time of year you may be crossing seasonal creeks on your hike. We hiked it in August and did not see any water.
• Not everyone will feel comfortable taking kids along the path to the very top. I’m very used to hiking with my daughter and I have very good hiking shoes, so I didn’t have a problem with it.

Even though the trail is long, it stays relatively level the whole way.

You’ll immediately be rewarded with beautiful colors that are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon!

Rounding the bend in the above picture offers you whole new views of Palo Duro

One of the best things about this trail were these blue mile markers.  In the beginning of the trail a few of them were faded away, but the majority provided great trackers for the hike!

Knowing nothing about this trail, it was right around here when I saw my destination for the first time!

I wasn’t doing bad for a girl who only got two and half hours of sleep!

The only noticeable junction was at this point.  Just stay straight/follow the signs and you will be fine!! At this point we were getting pretty close.

Very nearly there!

So. Let’s talk about scrambling up the hillside to get to the Lighthouse (please also refer to my “Tips” section).  At the end of the trail, there will be a picnic table with a footpath going up from the left of it.  Once you go up a short ways the footpath splits into two.  I took the right path, and the above picture shows what it looks like.  I don’t know if the left would have taken you up, although I suspect it would have.  We chose the right because the left had looser gravel and we thought we’d have a greater chance of slipping that way.  There was one section on the way we went where it was a little loose, but we just crawled through it and were done in no time.

A picture of the left junction – which we did NOT take.

The picture above shows the one section of loose soil.  We spider crawled our way through it just to be on the safe side.

View from the top of the scramble.

My little sweetheart loving up the adventure!!

At long last, the Lighthouse up close!

Notice how the rock naturally leads you up to an easy access point.  It’s like we were meant to explore it.

Beautiful Views!

She really is a little trooper when it comes to adventuring 🙂

I can’t suggest this hike enough – we thought it was really cool!

We spent a little time soaking up the views – and resting – before heading back to the car

Proof that I scooted my way down the gravel part of the way back down!  Little girl doesn’t know how easy she has it!

So that’s it! I hope this has inspired you to make the Lighthouse trail a part of your Amarillo visit!! I haven’t hiked much in Texas, but this was quite an impressive one 🙂

Don’t forget to leave me a comment!!! Have you hiked in Palo Duro Canyon?? Are there other trails I should hike?? Lemme know!

Until next time!