Grand Canyon vs. Palo Duro Canyon: Which Should Be Your Next Adventure

If you're from the Texas panhandle, you know that Palo Duro Canyon is constantly referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Texas". Its big claim to fame is supposedly being the second-biggest canyon in the United States. Palo Duro Canyon is a popular destination for people from all over the panhandle. When you compare it to the Grand Canyon, which one should you plan to visit on your next adventure?

How Much Bigger Than Palo Duro Canyon Is The Grand Canyon?

This was a little shocking. According to the information I was able to pull up, the Grand Canyon dwarfs Palo Duro Canyon when it comes to size. The Grand Canyon lives fully up to its name.

When it comes to sheer size alone, the Grand Canyon is the clear winner. The stats, when you look at their maxes, stack up like this:

• Grand Canyon - 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, depth of 6,093 feet
• Palo Duro Canyon - 40 miles long, 20 miles wide, depth of 1,000 feet

If you're into length, it's the Grand Canyon all day. If you care more about girth, Palo Duro Canyon gets a slight edge. Depth is no contest in favor of the Grand Canyon. If you're looking for size alone on your next adventure, the Grand Canyon is your pick. However, there's more than size to consider.

Is The Grand Canyon Or Palo Duro Canyon More Expensive To Visit?

For this, let's just look at the cost of being admitted to the park per person. What isn't surprising is that Palo Duro Canyon is cheaper. What is surprising is how much cheaper it is. Entrance fees per person shake out like this:

• Grand Canyon - $20 per person
• Palo Duro Canyon - $8 per person, Kids 12 & Under Free

One thing to note about the Grand Canyon is that the pass is good for 7 days. So, if you're planning on spending a lot of time there, the $20 doesn't seem so bad.

When it comes to campsites, prices are all over the place. Both parks offer affordable options for a single family.

Is There More To Entertain My Kids At The Grand Canyon Or Palo Duro Canyon?

There's a lot to do at the Grand Canyon, as you might expect. There's the train you can ride and spend the night at the Railway Hotel. There are a ton of museums, lots of hiking, and even river rafting trips. Be prepared to pay a premium for most of it.

Palo Duro Canyon has a lot to explore, several iconic trails to hike, and there are some nice amenities in and around the canyon. For some of it, you'll still shell out some dough. However, you'll still come out with more leftover cash after visiting Palo Duro Canyon. If economics are your main concern, Palo Duro Canyon is the way to go.