duggy
SILVER Star
Anybody ever been? A few of us Houston guys are headed north in a couple of weeks to do some wheeling and camping. I'm looking for advice on where to go, routes to take and scenes to see, if available.
Palo Duro Canyons (Panhandle area)
- Thread starter duggy
- Start date
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We used to live in Houston and moved to Lubbock - I've been to the Palo Duro Canyon state park - it's a pretty impressive hole in the ground considering how freaking flat that whole area is - you can camp but all off-roading is limited to foot or bike. All the land around it is privately owned, there used to be a family that owned land with an entrance right near the state park entrance that did jeep tours in old wagoneers - some pretty scenic terrain. You used to be able to off-road around the Canadian river where it intersects 287 north of Amarillo. Otherwise there isn't much up there unless you want to head northwest up into New Mexico, but that's quite a way. Our route was through Killeen, brownwood, to lubbock - not the fastest but you get to see a little of the hill country.
Not much else up there unless you want to eat a 72 oz steak!
Watch out for deer at night this time of year.
Unless your dead set on Palo Duro, I'd head straight north to Gilmer in East TX and hit the wheeling at barnwell and then head up to super lift at hot spring Arkansas - prob shorter drive and much better wheeling and camping.
Not much else up there unless you want to eat a 72 oz steak!
Watch out for deer at night this time of year.
Unless your dead set on Palo Duro, I'd head straight north to Gilmer in East TX and hit the wheeling at barnwell and then head up to super lift at hot spring Arkansas - prob shorter drive and much better wheeling and camping.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
PaloDuro Canyon State Park is the second largest canyon in the united states and you can drive down into it. Camping this time of year can be great or down right frigid. The last few days here have seen record lows of 8 degrees with windchills in the negative temps. You can rent small cabins in the bottom of the canyon but they usually have a waiting list.
As far as offroading the Canyon itself is on pavement only but offers great hikes and mountainbike trails if you are into that sort of thing. As stated above the best offroading in this area is the Canadian River recreation area, it is free but requires a state OHV permit. There is 36 miles of open riverbed that offers sand, quicksand, steep climbs, and all around do what you want wheeling. Google Canadian River Sanddrags and you will get a feel for what to expect.
Stayaway from the tourist trap steak place. There is way better food up here than that and the people are as friendly as you will meet.
Come on up if you guys get the chance, just be aware of the weather. If you have any other questions feel free to PM and I'll help as much as possible.
As far as offroading the Canyon itself is on pavement only but offers great hikes and mountainbike trails if you are into that sort of thing. As stated above the best offroading in this area is the Canadian River recreation area, it is free but requires a state OHV permit. There is 36 miles of open riverbed that offers sand, quicksand, steep climbs, and all around do what you want wheeling. Google Canadian River Sanddrags and you will get a feel for what to expect.
Stayaway from the tourist trap steak place. There is way better food up here than that and the people are as friendly as you will meet.
Come on up if you guys get the chance, just be aware of the weather. If you have any other questions feel free to PM and I'll help as much as possible.
duggy
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #5
@POTATO LAUNCHER and @Tex40 thanks for the info. I did some reading and it looks like we'll head into the State Park and then wheel the Canadian. I hear that there is a portion of the area that is privately owned but if you can gain permission from the owner it is free to wheel and camp. Have you guys heard of this?
It's been 10+ years since I've lived there, so I'm not sure what the rules are now - Hopefully somebody else can answer. There are some decent places in Lubbock to stop and eat if you go that route.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
I think the place you are talking about is the Christian Ranch. They host a "Jeep Jerk" exclusive run in May every year. There really isn't any OHV type parks here like Gilmer or Birdgport. The river is where I cut my teeth four wheeling the families FJ 55 back in the day.
I've heard of that place - when I was active in the land rover club we approached them about hosting a big event (we typically spent $20k+) they turned up their noses and said nope!
When I lived in Lubbock we drove out to Mescalaro Sands near Roswell - they allowed driving in the sand dunes there - it was a pretty fun place.
When I lived in Lubbock we drove out to Mescalaro Sands near Roswell - they allowed driving in the sand dunes there - it was a pretty fun place.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
There used to be a pretty active off road crowd in this area. I was on the board of directors of a well organized club. We hosted several SWFWD / Blue ribbon coalition runs as well as the sand drags each year. Work transfered me to Odessa, TX in the early mid 90s and I lost touch and started a family.
There is some unique wheeling around here but you need to know people to gain access. The River Falls community is located on the far north end of the canyon. Great fishing, trail riding and access to a private herd of Elk. All this less than 20 minutes from my driveway.
There is some unique wheeling around here but you need to know people to gain access. The River Falls community is located on the far north end of the canyon. Great fishing, trail riding and access to a private herd of Elk. All this less than 20 minutes from my driveway.
Nice! My parents have land on the red river near Wichita Falls - we have river access - still a fun place to run - we will see if the BLM takes it all away in the next few year...
duggy
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #12
@POTATO LAUNCHER good to meet ya! It was great chit chatting with you and that 40 you have is a beautiful truck. We had a blast in the Panhandle area. We are finally back in Houston safe and sound.
POTATO LAUNCHER
TLCA #6928
Good to hear, glad I stopped by and put a face to a name. The weather was perfect until about 4 this afternoon. 22°f now, expected windchill near 0 in the am.
Give me a shout the next time youguys come through.
Casey...
Give me a shout the next time youguys come through.
Casey...
