Located 3.5 miles north of the little town of Quitaque, on FM 1065, Caprock Canyons State Park is a major destination for the Texas Panhandle. Its activities, beauty, history, and facilities are top-notch. Caprock Canyons is about a two hour scenic drive from Lubbock, and considered by many the closest place to that city that offers such a variety of beauty and scenery.

Caprock Canyons State Park opened in 1982. It consists of over 15,000 acres, including the Trailway, a 64 mile Rail-to-Trail conversion, acquired by donation in 1992. The park offers day-use and camping facilities, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating on a no-wake lake, fishing, swimming, guided tours, and seasonal horse back riding.

90 miles of multi-use trails range from very rugged terrain to trails that are mostly flat. About 25 miles of trails include cliffs and drop-offs, with steep climbs and descents that are recommended only for experienced equestrians and mountain bikers.

You can also rent an audio driving guide to the park. It’s like having a tour guide on in the car with you. The audio guide is available for for free at the park headquarters on tape or CD.

Caprock Canyons Trailway

The Caprock Canyon Trailway – check out those colors!

This acquisition added recreational opportunities for parkgoers. The multi-use trail (hike, bike, and equestrian), opened in 1993, stretches the park through Floyd, Briscoe, and Hall counties crossing 46 bridges and running through Clarity tunnel, one of the last active railroad tunnels in Texas. From June through August, have a once in a lifetime experience watching the bat emergence from the tunnel via a van tour. The 64.25 miles of the Trailway are open to the public from Estelline to South Plains.

Caprock Canyons Wildlife

The park is home to numerous species of wildlife such as African aoudad sheep, mule and white-tailed Deer, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, opossums, porcupines, foxes, and over 175 species of birds. The pride of Caprock Canyons is the official Texas State Bison Herd (the largest herd of buffalo in the state park system), and the illusive Golden Eagles. There is good fishing in Lake Theo for bass and catfish.

Visiting Caprock Canyons

If you want to spend a day (or several) at Caprock Canyon, you can set up home base at one of our bed and breakfasts in Lubbock. Enjoy all Texas has to offer this summer!