Quanah and the Comanches were caught in this canyon and attacked. Only 4 braves were killed but the entire food supplies for the winter were destroyed which effectively ended the Comanche freedom on the plains. There is a marker in the park commemorating the battle.

Battle of Palo Duro Canyon

The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon was a significant United States victory that brought about the end of the Red River War.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle of Palo Duro Canyon
• Gwynne, S. C., 2010, Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian: Simon & Schuster, New York, 371p.