EXPLORING BEYOND OKLAHOMA
Day One Jump start this high-adventure day with a delicious breakfast and coffee from Palace Coffee , located in a beautiful, historic building in the heart of Canyon, Texas, at Canyon Square. Beyond creative lattes and scratch-made pastries, this business also strives to embrace kindness, so customers can support rotating local nonprofits through their drink purchases. Next up, Palo Duro Canyon , the second largest canyon in the country at 120 miles long, 20 miles wide and 800 feet deep, boasts 30 miles of trails ready to be explored by foot, bike or horseback. Just minutes from the state park entrance is the Visitor Center and a stunning, panoramic view of the canyon, where visitors see how it earned the title “Grand Canyon of Texas,” with rugged rock walls displaying vibrant bands of color and 250 million years of geologic history. Just past the gate entrance, don’t miss the Longhorn Pasture where you can park to see some of Texas’ official State Longhorn Herd . When it comes to hiking, the Lighthouse Trail is the best in the park! The trail is 5.5 miles roundtrip and mostly flat with a moderate scramble up to the iconic lighthouse rock for outstanding views. If your crew prefers biking, this is also a popular mountain bike trail that easily links up with the scenic Givens-Spicer- Lowry Trail . When exploring the area, keep an eye out for common wildlife, like Texas horned lizards, wild turkeys, coyotes, bobcats and roadrunners. After your hike, give your legs a break with a 30-minute scenic drive along the Palo Duro Canyon Loop. Or, opt for a 1-hour guided horseback ride with Old West Stables along the stunning canyon walls and through unique rock formations. Another exhilarating way to experience this magnificent canyon is by zipline! Palo Duro Adventure Park offers experiences for all ages, including a tandem zipline crossing for kids ages 1 and up and under 65 pounds. Our boys thoroughly enjoyed this quarter-mile zip across the canyon, an adventure they remember to this day. A busy day calls for a relaxing dinner at Cask and Cork , just 30 minutes from the canyon. This rooftop restaurant prides itself on balancing a casual ambiance with upscale dining and quality ingredients. They serve an extensive menu, from specialty flatbreads to seafood, including a wide selection of gluten-free items. Their gorgeous patio is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with your family.
HIKE LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL IN PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK FOR UP- CLOSE VIEWS OF LIGHTHOUSE ROCK.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SEPT-OCT 2023 59
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