Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in the US. This is our third visit to Palo Duro, the first was years ago when we still had our Hitchhiker 5th wheel. At that time the park was nearly empty, just us and one other RV in the campground and they were the camp host. The other campgrounds in the park were closed because they had been experiencing lots of rain and the bathroom areas were flooded. Our second visit was in 2017 around October and we again stayed down in the park but at a different campground. While we enjoyed some hiking and getting photos of animals we did not care for all the flies in the campground where we were staying. If you stay in the park, you will have no access to cell phone service or any type of internet access. You have to drive back up to the top of the canyon and drive about 5 miles away before you will get a signal. One exception we discovered this trip, if you are going to the performance of the play they conduct they have limited service in the amphitheater.
For this trip we stayed at a campground just outside the park that had an overlook of the canyon. Campground was not that great but it was convenient. We did go down to ride around in the park one day but did not do any hiking. The view is impressive as you look across the canyon, it is 120 miles long, 6 to 20 miles wide and more than 800 feet deep.
Below are photos of the view you can see from the roads.
We have previously seen much of the park but had never been able to attend a musical production that they put on during the summer as they only perform the show until the middle of August. Since we left early for this trip we were able to get tickets for the show. We have now seen it. Nothing like sitting in an outdoor amphitheater in 100 degree weather, crammed in small metal theater seats with no room to shift around. At least there was a nice breeze but I thought a pry bar would be needed to get us out of our seats.
The show was about the struggles and triumphs of the settlers of the area with songs and dances along with the story. The stage is impressive with the canyon wall as the backdrop. The show starts off with a horseback rider at the top of the canyon carrying a large flag and wraps up with fireworks at the end and another rider on horseback down at the stage level. No photos are allowed except at the very end when they start the fireworks. Below is a couple of videos from the show at the end.
While not the impressive production we have seen at other theaters it was set in a unique location. The temperature managed to cool down to 90 degrees by the time it was over and we were leaving at 11:00 PM. Word of advise if you are planning to go at some time, skip purchasing the BBQ meal before the show. Eat at one of the restaurants in Canyon, it is not that long of a drive from the canyon and is bound to taste better.