Imagine a weekend filled with thrilling adventures, breathtaking scenery, and delicious food, all set in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Palo Duro Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is a destination that promises all this and more. Just picture it: starting your day with a hike through the stunning canyon trails, followed by a round of golf at one of the top courses in the state, then indulging in a mouth-watering steak at a legendary restaurant, and finally, unwinding in a charming bed and breakfast under a canopy of stars. Sounds like the perfect getaway, right? Well, pack your hiking boots, grab your golf clubs, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Amarillo.
Here’s the ultimate plan for your trip:
- Explore Palo Duro Canyon: Hike, bike, or ride horseback through 35 miles of scenic trails.
- Dine at the Big Texan: Take on the challenge of a 72-ounce steak, or cheer on someone else who does.
- Golf at Comanche Trails: Play a round at one of Texas’s top-rated economy courses.
- Relax at Starlight Canyon B&B: Enjoy luxurious accommodations and a serene environment.
- Discover Amarillo: Check out local attractions and enjoy the vibrant culture of this charming town.
A Cozy Start at Starlight Canyon B&B
Your adventure begins at the Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, a quaint and cozy retreat nestled on five acres of wooded beauty, perfectly situated between Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon. This intimate B&B features four uniquely decorated rooms, each designed to offer maximum comfort after a day of excitement. Upon arrival, you might even be greeted by a friendly group of deer, adding to the serene and rustic charm of the property.
Starlight Canyon B&B is a small four room B&B located in the perfect place for this weekend adventure. It’s halfway between Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon. It also has four comfortable, unique, and well-appointed rooms for you get some rest after a fun-filled day of activities.
Starlight is situated on five well-treed acres in the upper Palo Duro Canyon. When we arrived, there were 8 deer in the front yard staring us down. I think they were questioning what we were doing on their beautiful grazing grounds.
We stayed in the Aspen room, a spacious haven adorned with West Texas decor. The room boasts a luxurious four-poster king bed with plush pillows and fine Egyptian cotton bedding, a large wood-burning fireplace, an antler chandelier, a leather couch, and an oversized bathtub perfect for soaking after a long day. Modern amenities include a satellite TV with a DVD player, a mini kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. And nothing beats ending your day with a glass of wine or a cold beer in the hot tub, gazing at the star-filled Texas sky.
Not much is better than a bottle of wine or a couple of beers and sitting in a hot tub with your best friend. You can work out the kinks from a full day of biking, hiking, and golfing while sitting under the majestic star-filled sky. That’s the best treat of all.
Enhancing Your Stay at Starlight Canyon
It might have been better if we had scheduled an in-room Swedish Massage. We could have been pampered with Moon Massage in the outdoor gazebo with soft music, candles, and fresh air. The third option was a couples massage.
Starlight also offers other packages to make your weekend enjoyable, some of which include romantic add-ons like patio candle service, rose petals and room candles, or chilled champagne. If that isn’t enough, you can get a candle-light dinner or a picnic lunch for your day trip to Palo Duro Canyon.
Before you head out for your first adventure, make sure to partake in a full made-to-order breakfast beside a roaring fire in the historic stone main house at Starlight Canyon. You’ll need the energy. Get an early start if you plan on heading to Palo Duro Canyon for a day of hiking and biking, or just enjoying the scenery.
Discovering Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the United States, is a geologic wonder filled with vibrant colors and unique rock formations. Spanning over 120 miles and reaching depths of 800 feet, the canyon’s history and natural beauty make it a must-visit destination in Texas. Managed by Palo Duro State Park, the area offers a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, camping, and attending events at the Pioneer Amphitheater.
As you descend into the canyon, the view is nothing short of breathtaking. Whether you choose to bike, hike, jog, or ride horseback, the canyon’s diverse trails cater to all levels of adventurers. For a truly iconic experience, take the Lighthouse Trail to the famous Lighthouse Peak, a striking rock formation and the symbol of Palo Duro Canyon.
Palo Duro State Park controls access to the canyon and maintains the trails, campsites (RV, tent, and backpacking sites), visitors center and store, cabins, and Pioneer Amphitheater. Read our article on Texas state parks to see all the great things you can experience in these hidden gems.
Speaking of Pioneer Amphitheater, you might want to plan your trip around one of the events at this outdoor amphitheater with the majestic canyon walls as the backdrop for the play. From June to August, the amphitheater is home to the musical drama “Texas” and several other events and concerts throughout the year.
Hiking and Biking at Palo Duro State Park
On your way to Palo Duro, you’re first “wow” will be the majestic view as you start to descend over 800 feet to the base of the canyon. Now comes the hard part, should we:
- Bike – If you want a good cardiac workout and a thrilling ride, then take the 16 miles of roadway through the park and up to the top of the canyon. It’s not for the faint of heart or inexperienced bikers. Alternatively, choose from several easy to strenuous mountain bike trails to enjoy.
- Hike – You can hike along any of the easy trails along a meandering creek at the base of the canyon, or you can trek any of the other trails ranging from easy to heart pumpers that traverse to the top of the canyon.
- Jog – You’ve got several choices for pumping the legs.
- Ride – Why not replace the baseball cap with a cowboy hat and enjoy the scenery on a guided horse back trail ride with Old West Stables, located inside the park.
A Hiker and Biker Heaven
I am not aware of anyplace in Texas that offers a better variety of trails for multi-use. Palo Duro Canyon is truly a hiker and biker heaven. There are more than 10 trails of various lengths and degrees of ruggedness difficulty.
Speaking of degrees, it gets hot in the summer. At each trailhead, there is a thermometer to alert you to the potential heat danger. Be sure to bring lots of water.
Some of the easy trails are along the base and follow a meandering creek. Other tails zig zag their way to the top of the canyon. The signature trail is the Lighthouse Trail, which ascends to the Lighthouse Peak and the famous hoodoo. Most of the trails are multi-use, meaning you can hike, mountain bike, or ride a horse.
The Park Rangers can provide you with lots of good information on the trails as well as some of the history, historic sites to visit, and geological formations of all shapes and colors.
Amarillo By Morning
It doesn’t have to be morning to head to Amarillo. Any time of day is nice.
You’ll enjoy sitting in the hot tub after a full day of hiking or biking in the canyon. Of course, you can’t stay in the hot tub all night. You must feed your face and add some calories to help you have a good round of golf the next morning.
Amarillo has lots of choices for dining. If you want a steak, then you’ve got to visit the famous Big Texan. The Big Texan is home to the “Free 72-ounce steak”. It’s only free if you can eat the whole thing along with a salad, a roll, and baked potato. You have to do it within an hour.
The record is an unbelievable 8 minutes. Only 1 in 12 people who try it are able to devour that much food within the hour. If you don’t make it, you’re out $72. But you’ll have enough steak left to feed a family of 4! It’s worth the visit to “go for it” or watch the contestants at the 72-ounce table (set on a platform and center stage).
The other steaks are pretty good, there are roving country singers, a game room, and more in what may be one of the biggest touristy restaurants in Texas.
Golfing in Amarillo
After soaking the sore muscles in the hot tub, getting a good night’s sleep, and eating a hearty breakfast, it’s time to chase that little white ball!
Comanche Trace Golf Complex is home to 36 holes of golf. The Arrowhead Course is consistently ranked in the top 5 of the Dallas Morning News’ “Best Economy Courses.”
Arrowhead is a links-style course created by moving a lot of dirt to add contour and berms to what might have been flat terrain. It’s a fair, fun, and challenging course and provides an opportunity to score well if you can play the wind. Read our review of Comanche Trace’s Arrowhead Golf Course to learn more about this affordable must-play Amarillo course.
Another course to consider is Ross Roger Golf Course. It also gets high ratings as one of the best economy courses in Texas. Check out our map of Texas golf courses, including the ones we’ve played, reviewed, and rated.
What Else You Can Do in Amarillo
If you have time to explore further, Amarillo offers a variety of attractions to enjoy:
- Cadillac Ranch: An iconic art installation featuring half-buried, graffiti-covered Cadillacs.
- American Quarter Horse Museum & Hall of Fame: Celebrate the history and achievements of this remarkable breed.
- Amarillo Zoo: A fun outing for animal lovers of all ages.
- Ross Rogers Golf Course: Another top-rated golf course in the area.
Visit the Amarillo Visitors Bureau to find more things to see and do in Amarillo. Above all, have fun!
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
