Texas Parks and Wildlife officials announced that all trails at Palo Duro Canyon State Park were closed after the area received about a half-inch of rain in a single hour around 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. A roadway between the Lighthouse Parking Lot and Cactus Day Use Area was also shut down.
The closure comes as the National Weather Service warns that thunderstorms across the Texas Panhandle could bring heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding Saturday. Forecasters said slow-moving storms may produce intense rainfall rates, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
While a half-inch of rain may not sound significant, runoff can quickly build up in Palo Duro Canyon’s steep terrain, creating hazardous conditions on trails and roadways.
Located about 25 miles southeast of Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States and a popular destination for hikers, campers and road-tripping Texans, including visitors from the San Antonio area.
Park officials thanked visitors for their patience and said updates on trail and road conditions would be shared through the park’s website and social media channels.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service said South Central Texas could still see isolated showers and thunderstorms Saturday. Any storms that develop may produce heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding in areas that have already received significant rain this week.