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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

From Customers Like Yourself

Merus Adventure™ Park is located 35 min South-East of Downtown Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle located in Palo Duro Canyon, the 2nd largest Canyon in North America.

ADDRESS: 4510 County Road 9 Claude, TX 79019

DIRECTIONS: Where FM 1258 intersects with CR 9, stay south on CR 9 you’ll pass the Figure 3 Ranch with the “Cowboy Morning” sign and you’ll go ALL THE WAY down that road. There is a Hay shed at the end of Co Rd 9 (about a mile down) with double swinging metal gates, that is where the park entrance is.

  • Office Hours:
    Tuesday – Sunday: 8:00 am- 6:00 pm
    Offices are Closed Monday
  • Public Park Access
    Thursday – Sunday
  • Member Park Access
    Monday – Sunday
  • Trail Hours:
    8:00am – 10:00pm SHARP no exceptions
  • NO NIGHT WHEELING ALLOWED after 10pm
  1. Yes we are under a burn ban. This includes all natural burning fire and propane fire pits.
  2. Only propane cooktops have been approved for use at MERUS.
  3. There is a BURN BAN FINE of $500 per instance for any fire at MERUS Adventure™
  1. Campsite check in is from 2:00 – 6:00 pm
    1. You can check in to the park as early as 8:00 am for trail usage, but your campsites may not be available until 2:00 pm.
    2. All guests MUST arrive by 6:00pm.
    3. LATE CHECK-INS ARE NOT PERMITTED WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE MERUS OFFICE

Guests who are unable to arrive by the 6:00 pm check-in time, may camp in the trailer/truck overnight lot, located just inside the main gate with approval from the MERUS office.

    1. Campsite check-out time is 10:00 am
  • All sites must be cleared and free of all trash. 
  • Any campsites not properly cleaned/packed-out will be subject to a $250 littering fine.

 

  1. Yes, if you plan to off-road on the day of your checkout, you need an off-road pass and must still clear your campsite by 10:00 am.
  2. You may stay in the park till 5:00 pm at which time you must leave
  1. To Off-Road or visit MERUS Adventure™ you must have one of the following:
    1. An Active Adventure Club Membership


  • For Non-Member Access 
    1. An Accomodations Reservation
      1. Campsite, RV Site, Cabin, or Glamping Site
    2. Group Reservation
      1. 3 rig minimum
      2. Link to Group Booking Information Page
    3. Guided Public Tours
      1. We offer guided tours every Saturday
      2. Link to Guided Public Tours Information Page
    4. Private Guide Reservation
      1. Private Guides are available for $500 (6 rigs or 12 person MAX)
    5. Come to an event at the park and have a valid event ticket
  1. $15 campsite/rig/night
  2. $30 off-road access/rig/day
  3. $15 radio rental 
  4. $12 Adult Access/adult/day
  5. $6 Kid Access (12 & under)/kid/day

 

Example: 2 adults, 2 kids, camping 2 nights, with 1 vehicle off-road access:

  1. Campsite: $15 x 2 nights = $30
  2. Adult Access: ($12 x 2) x 3 days= $72
  3. Kid Access: ($6 x 2) x 3 days = $54
  4. 1 Vehicle Off-Road Access: $30 x 3 days – $90
  5. TOTAL: $246
  1. Green/Beginner:
    1. For those new to off-roading. 
    2. 4WD vehicle required
    3. Minimal to no vehicle modifications necessary
  2. Blue/Intermediate:
    1. For those interested in a more challenging off-road experience.
    2. 4WD vehicle required
    3. Light vehicle modifications recommended
      1. Off road tires & small vehicle lift (2” or less)
  3. Black/Advanced:
    1. For those with off-road experience looking to further develop their skills
    2. 4WD vehicle required
    3. Vehicle modifications recommended:
      1. Minimum 2” lift, 35” tires
  1. MERUS uses a color-coded trail rating system similar to skiing
    1. Green – Beginner
    2. Blue – Intermediate
    3. Black – Advanced
    4. Double Black – Highly Experienced
    5. Purple – Expert

 

  1. MERUS color coded system compared to standard numerical trail rating system:
    1. Green = 1-2
    2. Blue = 3-5
    3. Black = 6-7
    4. Double Black = 8-9
    5. Purple = 10

No, we do not sell individual day passes. 

  1. No, you must have a reservation prior to coming to the park.
  2. All bookings MUST be made online
  3. We do not take reservations over the phone
  1. Yes. 
  2. Dogs must be leashed and remain in your full control when at the park. 
  3. Be sure to pick up after your pet.
  1. A 4 wheel drive vehicle 
  2. A working Fire extinguisher (We Sell these at the office for $30) 
  3. GMRS radio. (We rent these at the office for $15)
  1. No.
  2. Only Full sized vehicles allowed. 
  3. Absolutely no atvs, utvs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, etc are allowed on the property.
  1. The primary source of power must be peddle.
  2. Full electric E-bikes are not allowed.
  1. The trails close STRICTLY BY 10:00pm. 
  2. Anyone caught wheeling on the trails after 10:00 pm will be in violation of park rules and will be fined $250 and be subject to removal by park officials with no refunds issued.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

No trail blazing is allowed at MERUS Adventure™

Violators will be fined $1,000 and be immediately removed from the park with access revoked for future visits.

There is ONE area in the park called “The Playground” where you may make your own obstacles and trails

 

  1. Bathroom & shower facilities will be available starting April 1, 2023.
  2. Portable restrooms are available at the park entrance and Rec Center
  3. No restroom facilities in the canyon
  1. Leave no trace principle (Click Here)
    1. Pack-In/Pack-out ALL materials, supplies and waste
  2. Trash dumpster available at the main gates, no others on property.
  1. Campsites
    1. All campsites are primitive (no water or electricity)
  2. Electric & Full Hookup RV accommodations are available
  3. 1 Dry cabin (No water or electric)
  4. Full cabins (water & electric) Available as of May 2023 
  5. NO fuel, food, propane or other amenities are onsite
  6. PACK IN PACK OUT all materials needed for your stay

The closest gas station is in Claude, Tx, 15 miles from the park gates.

  1. Only Full Hookup Reservations may dump at MERUS
  2. Electric or Boondocking RVs closest dump:
    1. Triangle RV Park – 15 miles away in Claude, TX
    2. Open 24/7 and $15 fill/dump
    3. Call Chris: 806-433-5671 before arriving to fill/dump your RV
  1. MERUS is a self-recovery park, however we have a recovery service.   
  2. RECOVERY FEE: If you need recovery from MERUS staff, there is a $250 recovery fee for the first 90min. It is $100 for every hour after.
  1. Weekly on Saturdays @ 9:00am
  2. Beginner/Intermediate available:
    1. Tours may not be running during other organized MERUS events

Check the Event Calendar for special event weekends

  1. Yes. 
  2. You can book a private guide for Off-Road Trails or a Caves
    1. $500 for 6-7 hours. 9:00am ~ 4:00pm
    2. Max 6 rigs or 12 people total
    3. Contact MERUS office for bookings
  1. Yes. We have a trailer lot at the main gates to park your tow vehicle and trailer for your stay free of charge
  2. Towing trailers are not allowed at campsites (RV sites OK)
  1. Vehicles left at the main gate do not need to pay a park access fee.
  2. The additional person would be considered a passenger and charged as such
  3. All passengers must still sign park access waivers

33s, 2” life, rock sliders, skid plates, recovery gear (tow strap/winch), fire extinguisher, GMRS radio.

35-37s, 2.5” lift, rock sliders, skid plates, 1 set lockers, recovery gear (tow strap/winch), fire extinguisher, GMRS radio.

  1. Cancellations or changes to your reservations can be made at any time.
  2. Full Refunds will only be issued outside of 30 days from the reservation date.
    1. NO REFUNDS ISSUED inside of 30 days of reservation date
  3. Within 30 days, only rain checks will be issued. 
    1. You can modify your reservation at any time, free of charge, and based on availability of the new requests.
  1. Weather plays a major factor in the conditions at the park and therefore the safety of our guests. 
  2. In certain weather conditions the park is unsafe and will be closed until conditions improve to a safe level. 
  3. Park officials will notify the Park guests VIA communications channel GMRS#6 of any closures and re-opening of trails due to weather conditions.
  1. No firearms are allowed on the property of MERUS. 
  2. Absolutely no discharging of any firearms on the property at any time. 
  3. We display the correct Texas law signage for the park and any violators will be prosecuted
  1. Yes. We host many events at Merus. 
  2. Contact our Events Director for more information.
    1. Molly Naylor
    2. Molly@merusadventure.com
  1. Yes. 
  2. Contact our Events Director to coordinate your corporate retreat at Merus.
    1. Molly Naylor
    2. Molly@merusadventure.com
  1. We are currently developing Stage-5 Driving Experience designed to build your driving skills and grow your confidence driving all off-road trails.
  2. Try one of our Saturday tours for a taste of what our offroad guided experiences will entail.
  1. Yes
    1. Group bookings can be made for up to 30 vehicles
    2. Groups of 30 or more rigs will need to contact the MERUS office to discuss hosting a private a event or arranging special accommodations
    3. All Groups can book their trip online at https://merusadventure.com/group-booking/
  1. Yes. We have scheduled seasonal hunts for Mule Deer and Aoudad (Barbary Sheep).
  2. Spaces are very limited. 
  3. Hunting dates are set and determined by MERUS Adventure™ only
  4. We DO NOT lease out the property for hunting
  5. Contact our Operations Director 
    1. Casey Bronson
    2. casey@merusadventure.com

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(806) 221-2160

Email

info@merusadventure.com

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Customer Reviews

Adventure Talks

Excellent
Based on 283 reviews
Chris Smith
Chris Smith
October 17, 2023.
We had an amazing time exploring Merus. Molly was wonderful in directing off-roading novices with kids to the best parts of the park. My kids (ages 3 and 6) had a blast both in the car and exploring Elon's Mars on foot. We will definitely be back and plan to stay longer next time!
Eric Fink
Eric Fink
October 16, 2023.
I did an intermediate tour and it was fantastic. Lots of interesting and challenging obstacles in a beautiful location. Our tour guide Jeff was very helpful and knowledgeable. We stayed in one of their cabins and everything about the cabin was great. Comfortable bed, great shower and bathroom, and it even has Heat and AC. Would definitely stay here again and do the intermediate tour again.
Grace Marie Meléndez Fernández
Grace Marie Meléndez Fernández
October 16, 2023.
AMAZING place! My husband and I went to camp out of our truck bed and do some off-roading. The guided trail tour was the highlight of our trip. Whether you are experienced in technical trails or just a beginner, these tours are a sure way to have an awesome day with others who love adventure and challenges as well! The Merus community is kind, helpful and fun, made the trip up from Houston totally worth it!
Cass Robinson
Cass Robinson
October 11, 2023.
Great camping spot! The views to the canyon from our site were gorgeous. Got to see sunset and sunrise. The staff was super helpful with making our reservations and moving it up a day. Definitely recommend this camping spot. You do not need to off road to enjoy it. We will be coming back.
Blythe Sitton
Blythe Sitton
October 1, 2023.
Have been coming out to Merus since 2021. Every time has been an absolute blast. They are adding new amenities and making it even better. Highly recommend.
Louise Hayes
Louise Hayes
September 25, 2023.
We stayed in an Arch Cabin at MERUS Adventure for the first time and what a wonderful stay we had. The cabin was well equipped with everything we needed! The staff provided 5 star service and nothing compares to the views of Palo Duro Canyon from the large deck!! Could NOT ask for a BETTER experience!!
Delletta Adams
Delletta Adams
September 25, 2023.
I brought my son and 3 friends for his 17th birthday. We camped at site F on the rim of the canyon and the view was breathtaking!!! The office staff were so friendly and informative. There are two bathrooms behind the office that are like legit home bathrooms, wonderful shower head, super clean. We will definitely be coming back and we have several friends and family members who will be visiting as well!
Callen Pinkerton
Callen Pinkerton
September 25, 2023.
Great place to go off roading. Great staff beautiful landscapes. The tours are awesome and the guides are super helpful and informative. No better place in the state to visit.