The Ultimate Guide to 12 Epic Weekend Road Trips from Dallas


1. Inks Lake State Park, Texas


2. Turner Falls Park, Oklahoma


3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas


4. Sam Houston National Forest, Texas


5. Alabaster Caverns State Park, Oklahoma


6. Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas


7. Natural Falls State Park, Oklahoma


8. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas


9. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico


10. Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas


11. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma


12. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas


Which road trip should you take first?


State Park Road Trips Worth the Drive From Dallas, Texas



3. Alabaster Caverns State Park — Oklahoma’s Hidden Cave Adventure



Best Time To Visit These Parks


What I’d Pack For All 4


The Ultimate 14 Day Road Trip from Texas (Southwest Loop Itinerary + Stops)




Day 1: Dallas → Carlsbad, NM


Day 2: Carlsbad Caverns → White Sands


Day 3: White Sands → Tucson, AZ


Day 4: Saguaro National Park


Day 5: Tucson → Las Vegas / Valley of Fire


Day 6: Valley of Fire → Zion


Days 7–8: Zion National Park


Day 9: Zion → Grand Canyon


Day 10: Grand Canyon


Day 11: Grand Canyon → Albuquerque


Day 12: Albuquerque → Palo Duro Canyon


Day 13: Palo Duro Canyon


Day 14: Amarillo → Dallas


Final Thoughts on This 14 Day Road Trip from Texas

3 Hikes You Can’t Miss in Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Photo taken from inside the Big Cave

Park Information

  • Palo Duro Canyon is located in the Texas Panhandle.
  • Park Address: 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015.
  • Website: Click here.
  • Phone Number: (806) 488-2227
  • Daily Fees: $8 per adult, children under 12 are free
  • Hours: 7 am – 9 pm
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Map

Photo taken at the beginning of the Lighthouse Trail hike

This is the Lighthouse!

Gorgeous landscape along the Lighthouse Trail

The Big Cave

The beginning of the Caves Trail