The Best Mountain Bike Trails in Palo Duro Canyon (For Every Rider Level)

Palo Duro Canyon is home to nearly 30 miles of single-track winding through the second-largest canyon in the United States — red rock walls, hoodoos, and canyon-floor cottonwoods, all just a short drive from Amarillo. The trail system is famous for something rare in mountain biking destinations: it genuinely has something for everyone. Whether you're clipping in for the first time or chasing the full canyon loop, here's how to plan your ride.

We've broken it down by rider level, plus a bonus section if you're bringing the kids. And when you're ready to hit the dirt, we deliver rental bikes anywhere in the park — so you can plan your route first and worry about logistics later.

Beginner: Kiowa Trail, Rojo Grande Trail, Sunflower Trail & Paseo del Rio Trail

If it's your first time riding in the canyon — or your first time on a mountain bike, period — start on the bottomland trails near the canyon floor. This is where Palo Duro is at its most forgiving: wide, well-packed single-track with gentle grades and huge payoff views for very little technical demand.

• Kiowa Trail is a beautiful scenic trail starting from the parking lot of the Mack Dick Pavilion. The trail follows the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River and is wide and relatively flat most of the way.
• Rojo Grande Trail begins at the Lighthouse Trail parking lot and works as a connector to many of the other lower trails. It's a bit more challenging than some of the other beginner trails listed here, but there's no shame in stepping off the bike and walking a technical section you're not comfortable riding.
• Sunflower Trail is a smooth, shaded trail with beautiful views close to the creek.
• Paseo del Rio Trail follows the river along the canyon bottom and is one of the easiest rides in the park — smooth, shaded in sections, and dotted with historic sites like the old Cowboy Dugout.

These trails let new riders get comfortable on dirt without worrying about steep climbs or exposure, while still delivering that classic Palo Duro scenery.

Good to know: Bottomland trails can get hot and sandy in summer — bring more water than you think you need, and start early!

Intermediate: Givens, Spicer & Lowry (GSL) Trail, Lighthouse Trail, and Capitol Peak Trail (outer loop)

Once you've got some miles under your belt, GSL is the trail most riders point to as the best all-around ride in the canyon. It winds through rolling terrain with a mix of flowy sections and short, punchy climbs, plus a few technical rock features that'll keep you on your toes.

• GSL is a moderately challenging 6.2-mile out-and-back trail with views of the Lighthouse rock formation and the lesser-known Red Star, another large hoodoo in Palo Duro Canyon — and it connects easily to the Lighthouse Trail if you want to extend your ride.
• Lighthouse Trail (moderate, roughly 6 miles round trip) is the park's signature ride, leading out to the iconic lighthouse rock formation. It's popular and multi-use, so expect some hikers on the trail, but the reward at the end is worth sharing the path.
• Capitol Peak Trail (outer loop) is mountain-bike-only and offers some genuinely technical moments, but the outer loop is manageable for a confident intermediate rider looking to level up.

Good to know: These trails see more foot traffic than the bottomland routes — ride with control around blind corners and yield to hikers.

Expert: Comanche Trail, Capitol Peak, & the Full Canyon Loop

For advanced riders, Palo Duro delivers real technical terrain and serious mileage.

• Comanche Trail is the park's most demanding named trail — steep, exposed climbing up the canyon wall with tight, technical sections and some of the best panoramic views in the park as your reward.
• Capitol Peak Trail (inner sections) adds sharp, technical features for riders looking to push their skills.
• The "24 Hours in the Canyon" race route strings it all together: starting at Soapberry Day Use Area, ride Paseo del Rio to the Lighthouse Trail parking lot, connect onto Juniper/Cliffside to Capitol Peak, pick up Lighthouse Trail, cut over on GSL, and loop back to Paseo del Rio. It's right around 8 miles of nonstop variety — technical climbs, fast descents, and constant views — and a serious test of fitness and skill.
• Baby Grand is a 26.2-mile route covering almost all of the outer trail in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a mix of everything Palo Duro Canyon has to offer — but it's only recommended for physically fit and experienced mountain bikers.

Good to know: Full-suspension is worth it for these routes. Bring more water than you'd expect, tell someone your route, and check the forecast — afternoon heat on exposed sections can be brutal in summer.

Bonus: Best Trails for Riding with Kids

Palo Duro is genuinely one of the better family mountain biking destinations in Texas, as long as you stick to the right trails.

• Paseo del Rio Trail and Kiowa Trail are our top picks for young or new riders — flat, shaded in spots, and easy to bail out early if little legs get tired.
• Keep an eye on the clock and the thermometer — canyon floor temperatures run hotter than the rim, so plan family rides for early morning, and pack extra water, snacks, and sun protection for everyone.
• If you're renting bikes for the whole family, let us know ahead of time — we carry a range of sizes for adults and most teens, and can help make sure everyone's set up with the right fit (and the right helmet) before you hit the trail.

Ready to Ride?

However you rate your skills, the best way to experience Palo Duro Canyon is on two wheels. We rent hard-tail and full-suspension mountain bikes for every level above, and we'll deliver them anywhere in the park so you can spend less time planning logistics and more time on the trail.

Browse our rental bikes → Check out our delivery options →

Tag us on Instagram at #palodurocanyonoutfitters — we'd love to see where you rode!