Texas Panhandle Guide 2026: Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon & Route 66

Within about 45 minutes of each other you get the second-largest canyon in the country, classic Route 66, a 72-ounce steak with a public stopwatch, and an outdoor musical staged in the canyon. Most people blow through on I-40. This guide from a Texas native helps you give it two or three days and do it safely, especially in summer heat.

What's inside

• The Panhandle at a glance: is Amarillo worth visiting, a quick-start box, best time to visit and weather by month
• Where to stay in Amarillo and Canyon
• Palo Duro Canyon: hours, entrance fees, passes and day passes, a trails table, the Lighthouse Trail in depth, wildlife and closures
• Camping and cabins: campsites, cabin options and prices, and a canyon-floor camping checklist
• Heat safety: why it's worse than the forecast, water and timing, heat exhaustion vs heat stroke, kids and pets, and a go/no-go checklist
• The TEXAS Outdoor Musical: season, show-night schedule, tickets and pairing it with a canyon day
• Things to do in Amarillo: Cadillac Ranch, the Big Texan and the 72 oz challenge, the Texas Air & Space Museum, the Sixth Avenue Route 66 district and free things to do
• Route 66 in Texas: stops east to west from Shamrock to Adrian and Glenrio, and the Route 66 centennial
• Where to eat, and 2- and 3-day itineraries with summer versions
• Before you go: a printable packing list and checklists

Who it's for

Road-trippers on I-40 or Route 66, hikers heading to Palo Duro Canyon, and families planning a 2- or 3-day Panhandle trip.

Format: Instant PDF download, 29 pages. Prices are approximate as of October 2026.