Tag: texas state parks

3 Epic Winter Road Trips from Dallas (Perfect for Hiking + Cooler Temps)

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Winter is one of the best-kept secrets for road tripping in Texas. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and wide-open trails make this season perfect for exploring some of the most epic landscapes in the state — all without hopping on a plane.

If you’re looking for winter road trips from Dallas, these three destinations are ideal for weekend getaways, outdoor lovers, and families who want adventure without the heat.

Why Winter Is the Best Time for Texas Road Trips

Texas summers are brutal — but winter? That’s when the magic happens.

Here’s why winter road trips just make sense:

  • Cooler temps = more enjoyable hiking
  • Fewer crowds at popular parks
  • Easier planning for weekends or school breaks
  • Big scenery without peak-season chaos

Now let’s get into the road trips.

1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

📍 Approx. 6 hours from Dallas

Often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon is a must-see — and winter is hands-down the best time to explore it.

Why Palo Duro Is Perfect in Winter:

  • Mild daytime temperatures for hiking
  • Wide trails with fewer visitors
  • Massive canyon views that feel unreal for Texas

Don’t miss:

  • Lighthouse Trail (iconic and family-friendly)
  • Scenic overlooks along the park road
  • Sunrise or sunset for incredible lighting

👉 Great for: families, first-time Texas hikers, weekend trips

2. Caprock Canyons State Park

📍 Approx. 5.5 hours from Dallas

Caprock Canyons is quieter, more rugged, and feels like a hidden gem compared to Palo Duro — which is exactly why it’s so special.

Why Caprock Shines in Winter:

  • Cool temps make longer hikes doable
  • Peaceful trails with very few crowds
  • Home to the official Texas State Bison Herd

What makes it unique:

  • Wide-open red rock landscapes
  • Bison sightings along trails and roads
  • A remote, unplugged feel that’s perfect for slowing down

👉 Great for: adventurous families, photography lovers, quieter escapes

3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

📍 Approx. 7.5 hours from Dallas

If you’re looking for epic hiking, Guadalupe Mountains National Park delivers. Home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, this park is best tackled during cooler months.

Why Winter Is Ideal Here:

  • Cooler temps for strenuous hikes
  • Clear skies and incredible visibility
  • Less foot traffic on popular trails

Top experiences:

  • Devil’s Hall Trail (dramatic canyon hike)
  • Guadalupe Peak for experienced hikers
  • Scenic desert-mountain landscapes

👉 Great for: experienced hikers, national park lovers, winter adventure trips

Which Texas Winter Road Trip Is Right for You?

  • Go to Palo Duro if you want iconic views and family-friendly trails
  • Choose Caprock if you want solitude, wildlife, and quiet beauty
  • Pick Guadalupe Mountains if you’re craving a true hiking challenge

You truly can’t go wrong — it just depends on the kind of adventure you want.

Tips for Planning a Winter Road Trip from Dallas

  • Check weather forecasts (temps can vary by region)
  • Pack layers — mornings and evenings can be chilly
  • Start hikes earlier for daylight
  • Bring plenty of water (even in winter!)

Final Thoughts

Texas has some incredible landscapes, and winter is the perfect time to experience them. These road trips prove you don’t need a flight — just a good playlist, a packed cooler, and a sense of adventure.

If you’re planning a winter getaway or even looking ahead to spring break, add these destinations to your list.

Looking for more family-friendly road trips and hiking ideas?
Follow along here or on IG @Road.Trip.Queen for weekend itineraries, Texas adventures, and seasonal travel inspiration.

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

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As someone that’s always looking for the next trail to hike, I cannot believe that I didn’t make the trip to Palo Duro Canyon sooner! I was absolutely blown away that this State Park exists… in Texas! Here are 3 hikes you can’t miss in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Photo taken from inside the Big Cave

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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

Park Map

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Map

Things to Know

  • Palo Duro Canyon is known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas!”
  • This canyon is the 2nd largest canyon in the US!
  • Palo Duro Canyon spans 120 miles and is 800 feet deep.
  • The best time to visit is spring and fall.
  • Summer visits can be dangerous because of the heat and high temps.
  • Make sure to bring more water than you think you’ll need during your hikes!
  • Palo Duro Canyon is a great place for a weekend getaway!
  • It only takes about 45 minutes to drive the loop through the Park.
  • You can stay nearby in the town of Canyon, TX.

My best friend and I visited Palo Duro Canyon in mid-February. We were pleasantly surprised with the weather and really enjoyed the hikes we were able to squeeze in during our weekend visit! Keep reading to learn more about the three hikes you can’t miss in Palo Duro Canyon!

Photo taken at the beginning of the Lighthouse Trail hike

The Hikes

The Lighthouse Trail – Distance: 5.9 miles | Time:  2.5 hours | Level: Moderate

This is the Lighthouse!

Our favorite hike was the Lighthouse Trail. This 6 mile hike is fairly easy until you get closer to the “Lighthouse” rock formation. At this point the hike gains slightly in elevation and you have to make a climb to get close to the Lighthouse.

Gorgeous landscape along the Lighthouse Trail

The Lighthouse Trail took us about two and a half hours to complete. I was very impressed with how well the entire trail was marked. And, my friend and I felt very safe the entire time we were hiking!  

The stunning desert landscape and dramatic colors make for an excellent hike. These unique colors of Palo Duro Canyon represent different geologic time periods spanning 240 million years!

The Big Cave – Distance: short walk from parking spot | Time:  30 min. | Level: Easy

The Big Cave

Our second hike of the day was more of a short walk. We drove under two miles from the Lighthouse Trail parking lot to reach the Big Cave. You will see a sign for The Big Cave on the side of the road past the Juniper Campground.

I have a new love of exploring caves… especially on my own without a guide or a group! This cave is BIG and was so fun to explore at our own pace. Even better, it’s only a short walk from the parking spots near the trailhead.

I had so much fun exploring this short trail and the cave. If you have children with you, this hike is a must! They’ll love the cave and all the climbing around it!

The Caves Trail – Distance: 0.9 | Time:  30 min | Level: Easy

This is another really cool hike with several caves to explore at your own pace! I wish we would’ve spent more time here, but we were pretty tired after the other two hikes of the day.

The beginning of the Caves Trail

If I had it to do all over again, or if I had my boys with me, I would like to start the day on this trail. There is a small parking lot right at the trailhead, but unlike the hike on the Lighthouse Trail, this one is not very well marked.

I recommend bringing headlamps or a flashlight to go deeper into some of the caves. It was cloudy off and on during our visit and kind of dark at times. You may not need them, but I wished that I would’ve had mine on this hike!

Palo Duro Canyon Highlights

  • Well marked trails
  • I had excellent cell service in most areas of the Park
  • Stunning views and colors
  • The Park was easy to navigate
  • No crowds
  • The trails were scenic and not too hard

Hiking Essentials

These are some of my tried and true hiking essentials that I cannot trek without! I really do consider myself a minimalist when I hike, but I do feel like you need to be prepared for anything when you’re out in the wilderness. Here are the things I never hike without.

  • Hiking shoes – I’ve been wearing these instead of my tall hiking boots and love the comfort of them!
  • Hiking backpack – This backpack is the perfect size for me. My husband carries a larger one, but this one is great for a smaller amount of stuff.
  • Hiking wipes
  • First-aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Chapstick with SPF
  • Portable battery pack
  • Cell phone arm band – I like the ease of this phone case. I can easily grab my phone and put it up throughout the hike as needed.
  • Camera stand – I love capturing family photos, but I don’t like having to ask other people to take them. This is great for all kinds of traveling, not just hiking!
  • Headlamps – these are the ones I own and won’t hike these trails again without!

Where to Stay

If you’re planning a trip to Palo Duro Canyon, I recommend lodging in Canyon, TX which is only about 19 miles/33 minutes from the entrance of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites. The room was clean and cozy and we enjoyed the free breakfast buffet in the morning!

The Hiker’s 365 Adventure!

On a final note, my best friend and I signed up for the Hiker’s 365 Adventure Challenge! We’ve set a goal to hike 365 miles in 365 days. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner, this challenge offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature one mile at a time! We’d love for you to join this community of hikers, too! If you’re interested, register today using my Hiker’s 365 Adventure referral link!