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Lighthouse Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.7 (33)
  1. Areas
  2. TX
  3. …Texas Panhandle
  4. …Canyon
  5. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
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“A family-friendly trail that is the center-piece of Palo Duro Canyon. ”

Craig Whiteside
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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.8

KM

Out and Back

3,120' 951 m

High

2,826' 861 m

Low

361' 110 m

Up

361' 110 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly The trail is wide and obstacle-free with the opportunity for kids to spot numerous lizards. Bring the 4-legged best friend, especially if you need to tire out high-energy dogs.

Overview

The Lighthouse Trail is one of the more popular trails in Palo Duro State Park. The total round trip is a little under 6 miles long. As you make your way along this trail, your destination is the 310 ft high rock formation known as the Lighthouse.

There can be a high volume of foot and bike traffic. Go early to miss the crowds and stay late!

Need to Know

Bring plenty of water during summer days as the canyon can get hot.

Description

The Lighthouse Trail is the most popular trail in the Palo Duro State Park. The trail concludes with the centerpiece formation of stone pillar resembling a lighthouse that tower 300 ft. over the trail.

Glimpses of the lighthouse formation can be seen from multiple viewpoints, but make sure you complete the trail to fully experience it up close (round trip around 6 miles). The trail begins relatively flat, but as it continues trails split, leaving options for gradual elevations and descents vs. more difficult paths for mountain biking.

The path is mainly packed dirt and rock, but loose sandy paths are not absent from this trail. You do have to cross creek beds along the way, but usually they remain dry during summer seasons.

Givens, Spicer, and the Lowry Trail all have a connecting point on this trail. A trailhead sign indicates any turns to different trails; stay left at each junction to continue on Lighthouse.

To access the lighthouse pillar, there is a moderately difficult climb with possible large gaps to step up and over. Remember to bring water and a shade hat, and rest when needed on benches throughout the trail. Keep a head up for mountain bikers.

Flora & Fauna

Cacti are abundant and grow close to the path, in addition to plenty of other native plants. Keep an eye out, as there are lots of lizards scuffling around if you only pay close attention.

Contacts

Land Manager: Texas State Parks - Palo Duro Canyon

Shared By:

Craig Whiteside
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 33 votes

#1

in Palo Duro Canyon State Park

#319

Overall
  4.7 from 33 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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3 Star
3%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Palo Duro Canyon State…

#10

in Texas

#319

Overall
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5,943 Since Sep 25, 2015
Intermediate
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Photos

Kick Buttowski
Nov 8, 2015 near Canyon, TX
Capitol Peak
Feb 22, 2018 near Canyon, TX
Aerial shot of the Lighthouse Trail from a Cessna 172.
Aug 10, 2017 near Canyon, TX
Lighthouse
Nov 22, 2017 near Canyon, TX
Left to right - Table Mesa, Sunday Creek Valley with Timber Mesa in the distance where the valley bends right, and Capitol Mesa, looking north from the ledge up on the Lighthouse (foreground, very left).
Feb 20, 2019 near Canyon, TX
Left to right - Fortress Cliff in the distance across Prarie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, west faces of Capitol Peak, and Capitol Mesa, looking east along Lighthouse Trail.
Feb 20, 2019 near Canyon, TX

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 26 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 17, 2023
B J
Mar 15, 2023
Steve Mittanck
6.1mi — 3h 48m
Aug 7, 2022
Matthew Kean
Awesome. My favorite hike. 6mi
Oct 15, 2021
Clay McCarthy
Took the two dogs with us today. It's just about 1100 and a beautiful morning at 72 degrees and light breeze. Let's see how this goes.
Sep 5, 2021
Stephanie Vazquez
Apr 29, 2021
Jan More
Mar 7, 2021
Ted Gould
Aug 8, 2020
Joseph DeLuna
9.3mi — 3h 41m

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