Plan Your Visit
MERUS Adventure Park Hours & Directions
Plan your arrival before you head into Palo Duro Canyon. Find office and trail hours, lodging check-in times, final-mile directions, and current travel conditions in one place.
Hours checked All times are Central Time.
Visitor hours
MERUS welcomes members and public visitors. Access may change during unsafe weather or on designated closure days. Events and courses may use different arrival schedules; follow the times in your confirmation.
- Office hours
- 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
- Contact MERUS before 5:30 PM if your arrival needs special arrangements.
- Trail hours
- 8:00 AM–10:00 PM
- No trail use or night wheeling after 10:00 PM.
- Lodging check-in
- 3:00–5:30 PM
- Your reserved accommodation may not be ready before 3:00 PM.
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 PM–6:00 AM
- Follow the checkout time and departure instructions in your reservation confirmation.
About 35 minutes southeast of downtown Amarillo
Get to MERUS Adventure Park
Use your preferred map for the main route, then follow these landmark directions for the final approach.
Park address
MERUS Adventure Park4510 County Road 9
Claude, TX 79019
Confirm current County Road 9 and entrance conditions before driving the final approach.
Final-mile directions
GPS may incorrectly suggest County Roads 10, 11, or 12. Stay on paved FM 1258 until County Road 9.
- Stay on FM 1258 until County Road 9At the sharp curve, turn south onto County Road 9.
- Pass Figure 3 RanchContinue past Figure 3 Ranch and the “Cowboy Morning” sign.
- Continue to the end of the roadStay on County Road 9 for approximately one mile to the end of the road.
- Look for the MERUS entranceA hay shed and double-swinging metal gates mark the park entrance.
Bringing an oversized RV, trailer, or low-clearance vehicle? Contact the park office before traveling for current access guidance.
Arrival and check-in
General park access and reserved stays do not share one universal arrival rule. Use the guidance for your visit type.
General Park Visits
- Reservations are not needed for general park access.
- You may reserve online, by phone, or in person.
- Follow the individual booking details for lodging, tours, Jeep rentals, courses, and events.
Lodging Guests
- Reserved lodging guests may check in for park use beginning at 8:30 AM.
- Lodging check-in is 3:00–5:30 PM; accommodations may not be ready before 3:00 PM.
- Follow the checkout time and departure instructions in your reservation confirmation.
Activity & Event Guests
- Follow the arrival and departure times in your booking confirmation.
- Tours, Jeep rentals, courses, and events may use schedules that differ from general park hours.
- Contact the office before traveling if your instructions are unclear.
Arriving after 5:30 p.m.?
Contact the MERUS office before you travel. Late arrival is available only by prior arrangement. Follow the instructions sent with your reservation; do not choose an overnight location or enter the canyon without staff approval.
Call (806) 944-5393Fuel, facilities, and safety
MERUS is a remote canyon destination. Complete your supply stops before turning onto County Road 9.
Fuel, Food & Water
- The nearest fuel is in Claude, approximately 15 miles from the park gates.
- MERUS does not offer fuel, propane, or full food service onsite; snacks and beverages are available.
- Arrive with the food, drinking water, fuel, and supplies you need.
Trailers & RVs
- Free truck-and-trailer parking is available at the main gates.
- Towing trailers are not permitted at campsites or cabins; RVs may proceed to assigned RV sites.
- Only full-hookup reservations may dump at MERUS; there is no general RV dump station.
Facilities
- Bathrooms and showers are available at the Park Office.
- There are no restroom facilities in the canyon.
- Pack out all trash from the canyon and use the dumpster at the park entrance.
Emergency Preparation
- For an immediate medical or safety emergency, call 911.
- Give the dispatcher the MERUS address, then notify park staff if it is safe to do so.
- At check-in, confirm the current GMRS channel for park communications.
Arrival checklist
- Confirm your reservation, passes, and arrival time.
- Complete every visitor waiver, including waivers for children.
- Fill your fuel tank and bring food, water, and needed supplies.
- Save the available Trail Guide or approved digital navigation for offline use.
- Bring required vehicle and safety equipment for your planned activity.
- Recheck MERUS conditions and weather before leaving home.
Need help before you arrive?
Questions about your arrival, vehicle, reservation, or current conditions? Contact the MERUS team before you travel.
