Attracting us with the allure of encountering over 150 freely roaming bison, Caprock Canyons shone like a guiding light during our National Park journey through Texas and New Mexico. Tucked away 100 miles southeast of Amarillo, this concealed treasure offered more than just an opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural surroundings. It beckoned us to embark on a journey through a rugged terrain of sculpted canyons, under a vast expanse of starry skies, providing a distinctive peek into the essence of the Texas Panhandle.
Join our exploration as we unpack the memories of our unforgettable stay at Caprock Canyons. We’ll delve into the intricacies of this remarkable State Park, sharing all the essential details to help you plan your own adventure filled with encounters with these iconic bison.
Booking Caprock Canyons Campground
Upon reaching Caprock Canyons State Park, we headed to the Visitor Center to secure a camping spot for the night. The park boasts a total of 136 campsites, including 35 with both electricity and water, 9 with water only, and 80 primitive walk-to sites suitable for tents only. While we couldn’t snag one of the 44 campsites with water, conveniently located near the flush toilets and shower building, we successfully reserved a primitive site, LR061. The evening’s fee amounted to a $5 per day per person (13 and older) daily use fee, along with a $14 per night fee for the campsite. I opted to pay using my Chase Sapphire Preferred card to ensure I earned 2x points on the travel expenses. Additionally, we discovered that you can secure a campsite in advance by following this link.
Campsite
The primitive campsites, including ours, were strategically situated a minimum of 15 feet away from the Little Red area parking lot. The park staff displayed exceptional hospitality by allowing us to park our van near the trail leading to the table and grill, rather than in a designated parking space. Our chosen site exceeded expectations, featuring a covered picnic table on a concrete slab, accompanied by a waist-high charcoal grill. Surrounded by captivating red rock views, the site offered a picturesque setting. Before dinner, we explored neighboring sites, finding them all to be equally impressive. Therefore, when booking one of the primitive Little Red sites, any selection appears to be a favorable choice.
The restroom facilities comprised two well-maintained composting outhouses, equipped with proper ventilation and stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Despite our site’s proximity to the bathroom, approximately 250 feet away, we enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere without disturbances from neighboring campers.
Facilities
Caprock Canyons State Park leans towards a more primitive camping experience, meaning onsite amenities like washers and dryers are not available. Nevertheless, in the Honey Flat campground area, where water-equipped sites are situated, you’ll find well-maintained flush restrooms and a shower house. Each side of the bath house, designated for both Men and Women, is equipped with four showers. Additionally, within the Honey Flat campground, you’ll come across trash and recycling dumpsters. It’s essential to bear this in mind if you opt for a primitive site, as you’ll need to manage your nightly garbage until the following day due to the distance from the Honey Flat area.
Trails
Caprock offers an extensive network of trails covering 90 miles within the park, catering to a diverse range of outdoor enthusiasts, from casual wildlife observers to avid mountain bikers. To make the most of your experience, review the trail map in advance and consider consulting with a ranger upon arrival to determine the trail that aligns best with your preferences.
The Upper Canyon Trail, a challenging 7-mile loop hike, boasts two trailheads: one at the South Prong campground’s far end and another a mile back along the road at the parking area leading to the North Prong campground. The ascent to the exposed plateau is steep, making it essential to carry an ample supply of water and sunblock. The Trailway, a 64-mile repurposed railway along Caprock’s southern boundary, is the park’s most iconic hike. Accessible at various road crossings, this trail offers shorter sections ranging from 5 to 12 miles, accommodating hikers, bikers, and horseback riders alike. Another intriguing option is the Clarity Tunnel, a 9-mile roundtrip hike from Monk’s Crossing, leading to a deserted train tunnel inhabited by half a million bats. For optimal bat-watching, plan to arrive just before sunset from April to October when the bats embark on their nightly hunt.
Wildlife
While en route from the Visitor Center to our campsite, we encountered the bison that inhabit the park, leaving our entire family in awe as we passed by more than 20 of these majestic creatures. Exploring the sites in the Little Red campground area, we stumbled upon bison dung, a reminder that despite being 3 miles away from the Honey Flat campground, we needed to stay vigilant as the bison could venture into our vicinity again.
During the night, my wife was stirred by the haunting sounds of coyotes howling in the nearby distance, engaging in what seemed like a melodic exchange. Regrettably, due to the absence of trash containers in the Little Red campground, one of our fellow campers experienced a raccoon raid on their garbage, providing us with amusement at the comical sounds of their food raid.
The following morning, at the shower house, we not only had another encounter with the bison but also discovered the Prairie Dog Pasture, much to the delight of our children who enjoyed observing these small creatures darting from one hole to another. Despite the park’s reputation as a home to bats, we did not have the opportunity to spot them during our stay.
Overall Impressions of Caprock Canyons State Park
Caprock Canyons State Park stands out as an exceptional destination, perfect for a day hike or an extended camping excursion. Its unique appeal lies in the vast expanse of over 90 miles of red rock trails, a characteristic more commonly associated with landscapes in Arizona than those in eastern Texas. What truly sets this park apart is its remarkable wildlife diversity, featuring bison, coyotes, prairie dogs, bats, rattlesnakes, and more, creating a campground environment that is distinctly uncommon in many parks. Throughout our entire stay, both the primitive sites and the shower house facilities remained impeccably clean.
Notably, the park’s rangers and staff exhibited outstanding friendliness and dedication to ensuring a positive guest experience. Based on our comprehensive encounter, I wholeheartedly recommend Caprock Canyons, and I look forward to the possibility of returning for a more extended stay beyond just one night.
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