Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Permit Information

Managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Weddings at Palo Duro Canyon are handled primarily through group facility rentals rather than a separate Special Use Permit. The main dedicated wedding venue is the Mack Dick Group Pavilion, a climate controlled group hall with kitchen that seats up to 169 people and is wheelchair accessible. Pavilion rental is 1,000 dollars per day plus a 500 dollar refundable damage deposit and a 750 dollar refundable cleaning deposit. A discounted 2,000 …

Planning Your Day at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

One-Spot Day

Palo Duro Canyon pairs well in a single day. The Lighthouse Trail (canyon floor hike to the signature hoodoo) and the CCC Shelter (rim level historic stone shelter) sit within 10 minutes drive of each other in the 30 mile long canyon. Plan a sunrise departure for the Lighthouse hike (5.75 miles round trip, beat the heat), a mid morning ceremony at the base of the Lighthouse formation, and an afternoon CCC Shelter portrait session on the canyon rim. Lodging is available inside the park (5 cabins, extensive campground) or in Canyon (15 miles north) and Amarillo (30 miles north). Cell service is limited inside the canyon.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department handles Palo Duro weddings primarily through group facility rentals rather than a separate Special Use Permit. The Mack Dick Group Pavilion is the main dedicated wedding venue: climate controlled group hall with kitchen, seats up to 169, wheelchair accessible. $1,000 per day plus $500 refundable damage deposit and $750 refundable cleaning deposit. Friday through Sunday three day rate $2,000 total. Other smaller group sites and pavilions (including Tasajillo Pavilion) have different rental rates. Daily park entrance fee $8 per person ages 13 and up (free under 12) applies on top. For ceremonies at rim overlooks, the CCC Shelter, or outside formal group sites, contact the park office directly (806 488 2227) to confirm permit requirements. Reservations through texas.reserveworld.com or 512 389 8900. Apply well in advance for peak season dates (October through April).

A Note on Light

Sunset on the canyon walls is Palo Duro's signature moment, with the layered red and orange rock turning fiery orange to deep red in the 30 minutes before the sun drops below the western rim. Sunrise from the east rim lights the far canyon walls first and works as a secondary portrait window. October through April are the only realistic ceremony seasons; summer routinely tops 100F by 10am and the canyon floor becomes a heat trap with no shade. Winter brings occasional snow that dusts the red rocks spectacularly but can close the canyon road. Spring wildflowers (March through April) add yellow and purple color to the canyon floor.

Ceremony Spots at Palo Duro Canyon State Park

• Lighthouse Trail — Hiking to the park's lighthouse shaped hoodoo rising from the canyon floor
• CCC Shelter & Scenic Overlook — Historic 1930s stone shelter on the canyon rim with panoramic views of the layered canyon below