Permitted access
Limited, safe, permitted access to the Palo Duro Canyon backcountry.
The closure in one number
15,000 acres
of a roughly 28,000-acre state park are closed to visitors.
Source: park staff confirmed the closed area “does amount to 15,000 acres” at Open Palo Duro’s first meeting with them in April 2022, as reported on the original campaign site.
- $216 typical fine for “entering a closed area of the park”
- 20+ years backcountry trails have sat in park plans, unbuilt
01 · The problem
A whole second canyon, locked away.
See that “Restricted area” on the park map you got at the gate? It looks small. In reality it includes an entire second canyon and creek system — Mesquite Park Mesa, North Cita Canyon, and the Confluence of North Cita Creek and the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River — more than 15,000 acres in a state with very little public land.
The area is leased to ranchers for cattle grazing or closed to protect “culturally and ecologically sensitive areas.” In previous park plans, the ranch roads were to become trails into the backcountry, and grazing leases say park visitors should still be allowed to access the land.
Since 2020, park personnel have ticketed numerous hikers in these areas. Game cameras watch the backcountry; when a hiker is spotted, rangers drive out to issue a citation.
“Wilderness is a necessity of the human spirit.”
— Ed Abbey
02 · Our goals
A park use plan that opens the canyon.
- LimitedStart with a small, capped number of visitors and grow only if it works.
- PermittedRegister who goes in, where, and when, with clear boundaries.
- SeasonalOpen when it suits the land and the ranch leases. Neighbors have said winter could work.
- Built togetherPark staff, TPWD, ranchers and volunteers shaping one practical plan.
These are proposals, not open trails. Nothing below is open today. Please don’t enter restricted areas; check the official Palo Duro Canyon State Park page for current rules, closures and trail conditions before you go.
Real trails
Trails to the Cathedral Peak area, onto Mesquite Park, into and around North Cita Creek, and into the Canoncita property.
A 20-mile backpacking loop
Highlighting one of the most beautiful places in the American West.
Open Canoncita
Public, permitted access to the Gilvin Ranch House and the Canoncita Addition, donated to the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2001 for a future research and meeting facility.
Research access
Easier access for professionals conducting ecological, archaeological, and historical research in the park.
These propositions have been part of the PDC Park Use Plan for more than 20 years. They are not new.
The canyon
What’s worth opening.
Select a photo to see it larger.
03 · Campaign updates · January–November 2022
The story so far.
These are Open Palo Duro’s own updates, as posted on the original openpaloduro.com. The most recent entry is from November 2022; we have not found newer public news on the closure. Linked documents open the original source files.
Restricted area expanded
The closed zone grew to take in familiar landmarks.
Updated park maps were released. Restricted areas begin just south of developed trails and include landmarks such as Monkey Hollow, Red Canyon, the Kneeling Camel, and Cathedral Peak.
Original November 2022 update →View the November 2022 park map (PDF) →Testimony to the Texas House
The case went to the Texas House.
Open Palo Duro sent testimony to the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, which was looking for ways to further develop Texas State Parks during the 2022 interim.
Original September 2022 update →Read the testimony (PDF) →Permit system stalls
A promised permit system never arrived.
A promised permit system for the southeastern backcountry was to be in place by end of summer. None was implemented, and the park did not respond to requests for an update.
Original August 2022 update →Partners group canceled
A volunteer trail partnership was shelved.
Park personnel canceled development of a non-profit Partners group for trail development and maintenance. Inquiries have gone unanswered.
Original May 2022 update →First meeting with park personnel
Park staff talked permits — but said a new plan was years off.
Discussed a potential backcountry permit program. The park is on the waiting list for a new Park Use Plan; no further trail development can happen without one. At the time, the park said there was no money or personnel for trail work at PDC.
Original April 2022 update →Community meeting
Neighbors signaled winter access could work.
Hikers, mountain bikers, Palo Duro enthusiasts, and surrounding ranch owners met. Ranchers said they'd be amenable to permitted access during winter months, when they're not using those pastures.
Original February 22, 2022 update →See the meeting slideshow (PDF) →Game cameras & citations
Hikers were ticketed before any signs went up.
Cameras went up on Mesquite Park mesa. At least seven hikers were cited in the first months of 2022 — with no signs, purple paint, or maps restricting access until September 2022.
Original January 2022 update →
04 · FAQ
Questions, answered.
Why is more than half of the park closed?
Four reasons: grazing leases to ranchers since the 1980s; protection of “sensitive cultural and ecological resources” (we are not advocating opening areas with Native American artifacts and sacred spaces); the park says it lacks roads or personnel for rescue; and the park is waiting on another Park Use Plan before moving forward.
But park staff say the backcountry is open?
The “backcountry camping area” past the Equestrian trailhead is a 10-acre parcel and IS open. The backcountry we mean is 15,000 acres without developed trails or camping — and it is NOT open to the public.
Can TPWD lease public land to the highest bidder?
Yes. In 1981 the Texas Legislature passed a law allowing TPWD to lease land for grazing. Bids for Palo Duro leases were first taken in late 1981 and early 1982.
Were these lands ever open?
Many areas were popular hiking and riding spots until the early 2000s. Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine even featured the backcountry in April 2018. In January 2019, backcountry camping was limited to a 10-acre section.
What happens if I hike in a restricted area?
You will be ticketed and told to leave. The fine has consistently been $216 for “entering a closed area of the park.”
What's Mesquite Park?
The mesa top just south of developed trails, between the canyon of the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River and North Cita Creek. Visitors must go over or around it to reach North Cita Canyon and Canoncita.
Why are you doing this?
Because we love Palo Duro Canyon and its backcountry, because a limited permit system is a safer option than trespassing and tickets, and because public land belongs to the public.
05 · Open records, media & maps
Don't take our word for it.
Everything here came from Open Records requests to Texas Parks and Wildlife — available to anyone through the TPWD Open Records Center.
Park Master Plans
Grazing Leases
Canoncita
News coverage, 2001–2018
“Undiscovered Palo Duro”Russell Roe · Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine · April 2018
“Canoncita Ranch Open for Public Use”KFDA NewsChannel 10 · 2016
“7837 Acres Added to Palo Duro Canyon State Park”Tom Harvey · TPWD news release · April 25, 2005
“Land That I Love”Dan Flores · Texas Monthly · July 2001
06 · How to help
Plans have languished for over two decades.
We need your voice.
Tell your representatives you want better funding, backcountry trails, and increased access to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
A note you can send
I’m writing as a Texan who cares about Palo Duro Canyon State Park. More than half of the park’s roughly 28,000 acres is closed to visitors. Please support funding for a new Park Use Plan and a small, permitted, seasonal pilot for backcountry access, built with park staff, neighboring ranchers and volunteers. Clear rules and capped numbers can protect the canyon and give the public a lawful way in.
Make it yours: add your name, your town, and one sentence about why the canyon matters to you before you send it.
Start here
Find your own legislators
Who Represents Me? (Texas Legislative Council) →Enter your address to get your Texas House member and Senator. Your own representative’s voice counts most.
Chair, House Committee on Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Rep. Will Metcalf
Member page (Texas Legislature Online) →Talk about: funding for trail maintenance and staff, a fast-tracked Park Use Plan, backcountry trails, access to Canoncita, recreational use of grazing leases.
Committee office · Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Clerk: Lauren McCarthy
(512) 463-1974Committee members →Talk about: keeping Palo Duro visitor fees with the park, opening donated Canoncita land, recreational access to grazing leases.
Texas House District 86
Rep. John Smithee
Member page (Texas Legislature Online) →Talk about: funding, local interest, backcountry access for the local tourism economy, trail development.
Texas House District 87
Rep. Caroline Fairly
(512) 463-0470Member page →Talk about: funding, local interest, backcountry access for the local tourism economy, trail development.
Texas House District 88
Rep. Ken King
(512) 463-0736Member page →Talk about: funding, local interest, backcountry access for the local tourism economy, trail development.
Texas Senate District 31
Sen. Kevin Sparks
Member page (Texas Legislature Online) →Talk about: state park funding and a backcountry permit system at Palo Duro.
The park itself
Palo Duro Canyon SP
(806) 488-2227PaloDuroCanyonSP@tpwd.texas.govAsk that the new Park Use Plan include backcountry trails and Canoncita access, and a limited permit system past Equestrian trail.
Officials and phone numbers checked against Texas Legislature Online (89th Legislature) and the TPWD park page on October 14, 2026. Office holders can change after the November 2026 election; confirm with Who Represents Me.