Downtown · Boutique hotel
The Barfield, Autograph Collection
A 1926 downtown tower turned luxury boutique hotel.
Official details for The Barfield, Autograph CollectionTexas · Couples · Two nights
Amarillo & Palo Duro Canyon
A canyon hidden in the plains.
Palo Duro Canyon is a surprise: the flat Texas Panhandle suddenly drops 800 feet into a canyon of red and orange rock some 120 miles long, the second-largest in the country. Land at Amarillo, drive 30 minutes to the canyon to hike to the Lighthouse rock or ride horseback, watch the TEXAS outdoor musical in the canyon’s amphitheater on a summer night, and back in town see the cars buried nose-down at Cadillac Ranch and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
State parkHikingRoute 66
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KAMA
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~1129 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~7 hr 41 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car
Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.
01 / Aviation & getting around
Land at Amarillo.
KAMA, Rick Husband Amarillo International, is a towered Class C airport at 3,607 feet with runways of 13,502 and 7,901 feet, about 30 minutes from Palo Duro Canyon.
The FBO
Signature Aviation Amarillo
806-335-2806Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport, Amarillo, TX
Another FBO: Haven FBO (855-774-2836). Strong, gusty winds are the norm. Tradewind Airport (KTDW), on the south side of town, is a general-aviation alternative. No live fuel price is shown.
High Plains flying: strong, gusty winds and blowing dust, severe spring thunderstorms with hail, hot summer afternoons with high density altitude, and fast-moving winter storms. About 1130 nm from Myrtle Beach: a long cross-country day with two fuel stops. Plan four or more nights, or break the trip with an overnight on the way.
02 / Where to stay
A downtown boutique or a Route 66 classic.
Rates and availability need travel dates.
Route 66 · Classic motel
Big Texan Motel
A Western-themed motel next to the Big Texan Steak Ranch.
Official details for Big Texan MotelLocal guide
More places to stay
Hotels in Amarillo and Canyon, including the Courtyard in the 1927 Fisk Building.
Visit Amarillo for More places to stay03 / Where to eat
Steaks, barbecue and Route 66.
Reserve weekend dinners.
Saturday dinner · Steakhouse
Big Texan Steak Ranch
Home of the 72-ounce steak challenge.
Official details for Big Texan Steak RanchLunch · Barbecue
Tyler’s Barbeque
Some of the Panhandle’s best brisket.
Official details for Tyler’s BarbequeFriday dinner · Burgers
GoldenLight Cafe
Burgers on Route 66 since 1946.
Official details for GoldenLight Cafe04 / Things to do
Canyon, art and history.
Hike early; the canyon floor gets very hot in summer.
05 / What’s happening
Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.
This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.
June–August
TEXAS outdoor musical
Most summer nights in the canyon.
TEXAS Outdoor Musical for TEXAS outdoor musicalApril–May and September–October
Best hiking weather
Mild days in the canyon.
Texas Parks & Wildlife for Best hiking weatherYear-round
Route 66
The Sixth Street historic district.
Visit Amarillo for Route 66Concerts, festivals & local happenings
Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.
06 / Suggested itinerary
Friday in. Sunday home.
A sample Panhandle weekend. This is a long flight; plan four or more nights. No bookings or availability confirmed.
Day trip version
Just for the day
- Arrive
Land at KAMA early.
- Midday
Palo Duro Canyon.
- Afternoon
Lunch at Tyler's, then back to the airport.
DAY 1
Arrive
- Arrival
Land at KAMA, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.
- Afternoon
Cadillac Ranch.
- Evening
Dinner at the Big Texan.
DAY 2
Explore
- Morning
Hike to the Lighthouse in Palo Duro Canyon.
- Afternoon
The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
- Evening
The TEXAS musical in the canyon (summer).
DAY 3
Morning & home
- Morning
Lunch at Tyler’s, then fly home.
- Before leaving
Return the car and allow time at the FBO.
- Fly home
Panhandle winds build through the day; leave early.
Longer stay · Add a day
With an extra day
- Morning
Hike to the Lighthouse.
- Afternoon
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
- Evening
The TEXAS musical.
07 / Good to know
Keep the weekend easy to change.
These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.
Book in this order
Musical tickets, lodging, then a car.
Flight
About 1,130 nm from Myrtle Beach: two days each way.
Wind
Expect strong crosswinds.
Best seasons
April to October.
Reviewed · Destination 250
Reviewed November 6, 2026.
Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking. Spotted something out of date, or have a favorite we missed? Email us at [email protected].
WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.