lighthouse trail

We loved this hike! I believe it was about 3 miles round-trip? Perfect for a Spring day. If you pass through Amarillo, consider visiting the state park in Canyon, Tx, just a few minutes South of Amarillo. See lots of photos and a full review on my blog. Here's the link to copy and paste: https://kineticheart.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/palo-duro-canyon-lighthouse-trail/

This trip is around 6 miles round trip, but the view is amazing. Most of the trail is an easy hike until you reach the base of the lighthouse, which is fairly steep. I would recommend starting early and allow for about half a day for the hike. You will be treated with some of the most amazing scenery you have ever seen along the hike. You can also ride your mount bike on the trail or ride a horse. If you go in the summer, take lots of water and start early in the day. If you are travelling on I-40 or through Amarillo or Canyon, this is worth the stop and bring your camera.

The Lighthouse Trail is a must-do hike if you visit Palo Duro Canyon. For those who make the hike all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with a spectacular sight of the Lighthouse formation as well an amazing vista of the north canyon. Though the park describes the trail as "moderate" in difficulty, the trail is pretty easy for a person in average shape. The last part of the trail -- the final ascent up to the Lighthouse and the table formation on which it sits -- is a bit steep, but don't let that stop you. There is a shaded picnic table at which to rest before you climb the last bit and a bench to rest upon after you make the steep climb up. Start out early in the day to avoid the heat and other hikers.

Easy stroll to the lighthouse rock with my 70 odd year old mother and uncle, and my two tweens. It is a beautiful trail, very easy to walk and yielding such beautiful sights. I took many pictures, however, I am not sure that any will show the true colors of the rocks and the different strata - makes you want to take up painting.

No words can describe this! The trail was easy to maneuver and well traveled. There was some spots that we had to climb with lose dirt but it was worth it. It was exciting to see the different formations and landscape along the way.

The Lighthouse Trail is an easy trail until you near the actual rock that the trail was named. The last 200 yards is a rocky step climb to the Lighthouse formation. We were amazed at the size of the Lighthouse Rock. If you like a good hike you will enjoy this one!

Beautiful hike through a beautiful canyon. The sights are amazing and the Lighthouse will take your breath away. Just watch out for the bicycles.

6 mi RT in and out trail. . Trail exposed so take 2+ ltr/water PP and avoid hike if storms/lightening forecast. Trailhead is 15 min from VC near 3rd Water Crossing.

My husband and I hiked this trail and loved it. It is an easy trail for most of the way, but the last 1/4 mile, however, is pretty much a vertical climb. And when I say vertical, I mean using your hands to climb boulders to reach the Lighthouse. This part would be very difficult for older people or very young children. If you're able to climb it I think it is worth it. The view at the top is amazing! It is a long walk to the Lighthouse, so bring water. I would highly recommend this trail for avid hikers and anyone who wants some great photos.

Be sure to take water, especially for the dogs! We took 1 gallon total between my camelback and the water bottles and we still ran out!Very colorful, relatively flat hike. Lots of mile markers and places to stop and rest. I would hate to take this hike in the summer time, I can not imagine how hot it would get down in the canyon. We left and it was about 45 degrees and by the time we came back, 3.5 hours total, the temp was around 82, so make sure you layer. One thing that was difficult for me was the trail itself. I guess it had rained and they let horses on the trail, so there were large, hard hoof imprints and depressions which made a difficult walk for me in some places. It is and up and back trail, not a loop, and at the end of the trail, you have about a 200 yard hike up to the Lighthouse itself. I did see people on top of the spire itself, but that was not for me!Overall, a really nice hike with very distinct and colorful layers of earth. if you are into geology, this might be the place for you!We saw every age on the trail, from 5 yo to 70 yo's!There are not any restrooms on the trail and if you go off the trail to use nature's restroom, make sure you watch out for snakes! and scorpions. and cactus...:)

Take lots of water on this trail. Its long and hot but well worth the hike be sure to take your camera

You will have good time if you manage your water and shade well. Nothing is more important safety. It can get really tough under severe hear in this place. We carried 1 gallon of water per person and a umbrella; both are very important. That day it was 110 F outside and our mouths were drying out every 0.2 miles. Had to hydrate quite a bit.Views are stunning. I had the best time of my life here. The red color mountains are a great visual treats and look great in photos.

We had a great day for our Lighthouse trail hike, but we started out a bit late - got to the trail around 10:30. By then it was already warming up, and by the midway point it was 100F on the trail. It's a very scenic walk, and very little hard hiking - the trail is mostly flat, with a few slight up and down inclines, up to the last 1/8 mile or so. But there is very little shade on the trail, so you're walking in direct sun. My 12 yr old son and I had 48 oz of water each, and we ran out about half-way back on the return. One more bottle each would have made a big difference. The last 1/8 mile is scrambling up a wash to get to the plateau where Lighthouse Rock is. Not overly hard, but it's not something I'd recommend for a young child, or someone very out of shape, to be doing. On our way back, we encountered a mom, dad, and their daughter who looked to be about 6. They were about 1 mile in on the trail. It was about 101F, 1:00 PM, the kid was crying, sunburned, and probably dehydrated. We suggested they turn back, since there was no way that kid was going to make it. Reluctantly I think they did turn back. Bottom line, in summer: Start early, bring more water than you think you'll need, wear a hat and sturdy shoes, wear sunscreen, wear insect repellent (biting flies are bad on the trail), and be in decent shape for a strenuous 6-mile (round-trip) walk. Also bring your camera, it's a gorgeous hike.

My husband is hiker and biker. He loved this trail and the views were breathtaking. Wants to go back and do more trails

The trail was slightly challenging and yet easy if you and your horse have some experience. Would do it again but not in Summer.