Caprock Canyons State Park opened in 1982. The park is known for the herd of bison in the park.
Location
850 State park Rd. Quitaque, Texas 79255
Cost
The entry fee for Caprock Canyons State Park is $5 per person over the age of 13. There is free admission for people ages 12 and under.
There are additional fees for overnight stays which vary depending on the type of lodging or campsite.
To save money when visiting Caprock Canyons State Park, I recommend looking at a Texas State Parks Pass. The pass costs $70 a year. The benefit of the pass is that it allows the pass holder, and any passengers in their vehicle to enter the park without paying the day use fee.
Reservations
Reservations can be made in advance online. Reservations can be made for campsites or for day use. Reservations should be made as soon as you know your plans.
This is a popular park that often reaches capacity, even for day use. If you do not have a reservation you may be turned away at the gate.
Caprock Canyons is known for the herd of bison that live in the park. If you keep an eye out, you will be able to see them.
While there were at one time over 30 million bison in North America, by 1888 there were less than 1,000. Mary Ann and Charles Goodnight protected a bison herd on the JA Ranch, and it became one of the only preserved bison herds in North America. The herd in the park was donated by JA Ranch.
Campsites
Unlike many of the other state parks in Texas, Caprock Canyons has a large range of primitive campsites. Do not assume that every campsite has the level of amenities that you might find at some of the other state parks. Many of them you have to pack in your own water, and only have chemical toilets.
Hike-in primitive campsites are $12 for groups of up to four people. Some of the campsites are in a dedicated camping area and others are along the trailway. Be prepared to hike a long distance to access any of these camping areas. You must pack in sufficient water, and be prepared to pack out all of your trash.
Walk-in primitive campsites range from $12 -$14 per night depending on the location. These have shorter walks from the parking area than the hike in campsites, but are still primitive camping. You must bring your own water. The more expensive ones have picnic tables. There are some limited toilet facilities.
Campsites with water are $14 per night. They have access to a full restroom in the vicinity. These have picnic tables with shade, access to water, and a fire ring.
Campsites with electricity are $17 – $22 per night, depending on the amps. They have water hook up, electric, picnic tables with shade shelters, and access to restrooms.
There are primitive equestrian campsites available for $14 per night. There are horse corrals available. These sites can take tents, trailers or RVs and have parking at the sites. They do not have electricity and only have water for the horses. These sites are far away from bathrooms.
Group Facilities
There are multiple pavilions and an amphitheater available to be rented for large groups.
There are hiking trails within the park, and there is also the Caprock Canyons Trailway, which is not accessible from inside the park.
There are eleven trails in the park, that range in difficulty from moderate to very challenging.
Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail is the most challenging trail in the park. It has a climb up to the highest location in the park and offers scenic views.
Canyon Rim Trail is three miles long and goes along the edge of the Holmes Creek Canyon.
Caprock Canyon Trailway
You have to exit the park itself to access the trailhead for the trailway. The access point is a few miles from the park. Caprock Canyons Trailway is a 64 mile rail trail and a section of the trail goes through the Clarity Railroad Tunnel.
The trailway is very popular with mountain bikers, but it can also be done hiking or on horseback.
The trailway is so long that it runs through a number of different towns. It is broken up into a series of sections, most of them about ten miles long.
Clarity Railroad Tunnel is located on the trailway in between Monk’s Crossing and the John Farris Station. Clarity Railroad Tunnel is best accessed from Monk’s Crossing trailhead and is a nine-mile hike round trip. The tunnel is home to a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats.
Primitive camping is allowed on the trailway for $12 per night.
What is there to do at Caprock Canyons State Park?
You can fish in Lake Theo. Fishing does not require a license from the shore in state parks.
Swimming is allowed in the lake as well.
Learn about nature. There are many animals that live in the park, in addition to the bison. There are lizards, bobcats, antelope, and bats.
What to do near Caprock Canyons State Park?
Quitaque, Texas
Located right outside the park is the town of Quitaque, Texas. It has a population of less than 500 people. The town has the Comanchero Canyons Museum and the Bison Cafe. If you need to pick up more groceries before you head into the park try Merrell Food.
Canyon, Texas
Despite being 83 miles from the park, Canyon is often the next stop on a road trip in this area. It is home to West Texas A&M University where artist Georgia O’Keefe formerly was a professor.
With a population of 15,000 people, it is large enough to have a variety of places to stay and things to do. The courthouse square is vibrant and full of shops and cafes.
Get a cup of coffee at Palace Coffee Company, pick up any last minute supplies at the Palo Duro Canyon Outfitters or learn about history at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is 90 miles from Caprock Canyons State Park.