CCC Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

The CCC Trail starts from a turnout on the Palo Duro Canyon rim, very near the Visitor Center. There are many small paths going down into the canyon from here, so carefully make sure to get on the CCC Trail. Basically, go northwest on the wide path that follows the road into the canyon. There are trail markers every 0.1 mile along this trail. So while alongside the road, one should see the first 0.1 mile CCC Trail marker, and the canyon dropping off to the right/east of the trail.

At the 0.1 mile mark, the CCC Trail veers away from the road as it continues along the edge of the canyon rim. Soon a small stream bed is crossed and the trail does a U-turn as it continues to follow the canyon edge, but now it is on a ridge that will eventually lead to Goodnight Peak to the southeast. The drop off into the canyon is still to the right. At the 0.7 mile mark Triassic Trail is passed on the left and CCC Trail bends to the right. There are several dramatic overlooks here.

The ridge leading to Goodnight Peak narrows around the 0.8 mile mark, so narrow that there are steep drop offs and views on both sides of the trail. From here, the trail veers to the other/east side of the ridge and finishes its descent to the canyon floor. As it continues descending, the steep red cliffs of the canyon walls rise above the trail to the west. After a couple sets of switchbacks, the trail ends on the canyon floor at the amphitheater and a parking area.

A lot of juniper, some prickly pear cacti, other plants, dirt and rocks.