Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Caprock Canyons State Park
Although it's not as well known as Palo Duro Canyon State Park,
Caprock Canyons
(
806-455-1492;
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
; Quitaque; adult/child $4/free, campsites $10-20)
shares the same kind of
stunning topography and abundant wildlife. Even the casual visitor is likely to see mule
deer, roadrunners and aoudad, the North African barbary sheep transplanted to the Pan-
handle in the 1950s. The sunsets are stupendous, but the trail system here is what makes
Caprock Canyons one of Texas' best state parks: 90 miles of outstanding and diverse hik-
ing, mountain biking and horseback riding, including 26 miles in the park proper and an-
other 64 miles on the Trailways System, a rails-to-trails project. Many visitors are just
content to drop a line in the serene waters of little Lake Theo.
The park is home to a donated bison herd from the JA Ranch - the very herd started by
pioneer rancher Charles Goodnight in 1876.
Sights & Activities
Caprock Canyons Trailways
Running through three counties from Estelline to the northeast to South Plains to the
southwest, the 64-mile abandoned-railroad-bed Trailways opened in 1993. Highlights in-
clude some 50 bridges and the 742ft Clarity Tunnel, a historic railroad passage. It's popu-
lar with hikers, bikers and riders. The route runs across the fertile plains and drops into the
appropriately named Red River Valley.
Trail access points and parking lots can be found along TX 86 at Estelline, Parnell,
Tampico Siding, Turkey and Quitaque. On this section, the trail runs parallel to, but a
good distance from, the highway. At Quitaque, the trail swings south then west for the fi-
nal 23 miles to South Plains - the portion that includes the tunnel. Access points on this
part of the trail are at Monk's Crossing and South Plains.
HIKING
Caprock Canyons State Park Trails
The state park has some outstanding trails. Stop at the park visitor center for a map show-
ing trailheads and distances. For an easy trail of about 2.5 miles round-trip, follow the
hikers-only Upper Canyon Trail from the South Prong tent camping area trailhead to the
South Prong primitive camping area and back. Beyond the primitive camping area, the
Upper Canyon Trail becomes increasingly steep and rugged; the cliffs and bluffs are not
HIKING
