For years, I have dreamed of building an overland camp where people could come to relax and reconnect, a break from the road in the middle of an adventure across continents. My dreams are small compared to that of the Merus team. The Merus Adventure Park, nestled in the heart of Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, the second largest canyon in the US, is not merely a stop along the way; it is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a blend of adventure and tranquillity. With over 5,500 acres of Texas’ most pristine landscapes, this family-friendly park offers an array of activities, including world-class off-roading, camping, hiking, caving, and even 4WD training.
I reached out to founder and CEO Dirk van Reenen, an entrepreneur originally from South Africa. Following a year of travel across America’s national parks and BLM lands during the pandemic, he and his family were inspired to establish a place where natural beauty meets community, education, conservation, and adventure. Dirk’s enthusiasm is infectious, and it soon became clear that the park is the start of a bold journey to eventually acquire, manage, and preserve 500,000 acres of private land throughout the country in states that, like Texas, have limited public land.
Located southeast of Amarillo and halfway between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque, the Merus Park is ideally situated for many overlanders and off-roaders. There, overlanders will find a network of 4WD trails, primarily constructed by hand, and a few machine-built paths, all featuring numerous challenges. Search Merus Adventure Park on YouTube, and you will find more than a few videos of off-roaders grinning from ear to ear, enjoying the challenge of the various trails (guided tours are also available, as are Jeep rentals). The trails are designed to provide thrilling experiences for adventurers at all skill levels, but Dirk admits the more difficult-rated trails are not for the faint-hearted.
One of the park’s most compelling features is its unwavering commitment to preserving the natural beauty and tranquility of the environment. It champions slow speed, low noise, and premium outdoor experiences, setting itself apart from other adventure parks by prohibiting the use of UTVs, ATVs, or motorcycles. Accommodations at Merus Adventure Park cater to a variety of preferences, from relatively luxurious cabins and glamping sites to more traditional tent camping and overland sites, as well as full hookup and boondocking RV sites. The park’s focus on low-impact, high-quality outdoor experiences is further underscored by its strict adherence to environmental regulations, such as the county-ordered burn ban. This policy ensures that the park’s adventures are enjoyed with minimal impact on the canyon’s delicate ecosystem, allowing propane stoves but banning wood or charcoal fires.
Access to the Merus Adventure Park is available either for day campers or via membership. The membership model offers exclusive benefits such as 12 free nights of camping a year, guided tours, on-site discounts, a swag pack, member-exclusive events, and guest access, to name a few. Annual membership is just under $1,000, and monthly payment options are available.
To put the membership rates in perspective, the non-member day rate is $20 per vehicle per entry-level campsite, $15 per adult daily park passes, and $25 per vehicle off-road area day pass. If you expect to visit the park often, membership makes the most financial sense, and it is anticipated that, as new locations are opened, membership benefits will extend to multiple locations. To date, the Merus Adventure Park has 338 4.9-star reviews on Google and is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, with members enjoying access seven days a week.
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