Palo Duro Canyon, located in the Texas Panhandle, is a canyon system that is 120 miles long and up to 20 miles wide. It is the second largest canyon in the United States and is known for its colorful layers of rock and steep cliffs. The canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and is home to many species of wildlife. The name Palo Duro comes from the Spanish phrase meaning 'hard wood, ' referring to the abundance of juniper and mesquite trees in the area.