Caprock Canyons State Park RV & Campground Guide
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This stunning state park in the Texas Panhandle spans more than 15,000 acres. Most of the park is located on the Caprock Escarpment, a red-rock formation as tall as 1,000 feet in some parts. Settlers came to the area in the 1870s, and the railroad arrived in the 1880s. The area got hit hard by the Dust Bowl, so the state purchased much of the surrounding land, and the park officially opened in 1982.
Red-rock canyons, prairie lands, and juniper foliage provide numerous excellent places to explore with your bike, horse, or two feet. The 120-acre Lake Theo is a perfect place to engage in various water sports. If you visit at the right time, you might listen to live music, participate in a ranger-led program, or experience a seasonal presentation.
Nearby Cities:
Quitaque, TX
Plainview, TX
Childress, TX
Lubbock, TX
Spring 33-79 F
Summer 42-92 F
Fall 32-82 F
Winter 24-54 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Caprock Canyons State Park
Campground Accommodations
Wild Horse Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Horses welcome
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, horse corrals
Honey Flat Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, lantern posts, dump station, shower, and restrooms
Palo Duro Rim RV Campground
Palo Duro Rim RV Campground is located directly on the rim of the Palo Duro Canyon and right next to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The park is quiet and away from city lights, and there are plenty of activities for a family to enjoy there, like two zip lines and a rappelling adventure site. You can also easily access the many walking trails throughout the canyon. The campground is flat and easy to get to, and the views of the canyon are stunning.
• Number of sites: 50 pull-through and back-in sites
• Rates: $29/night
• Type of hookups: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed on a leash
• Showers: No
Palo Duro RV Park
Your family will have a great time at the neat and well-maintained Palo Duro RV Park. Lots of recreational gear is on-site, like setups for playing horseshoes, cornhole and volleyball. You will appreciate the free library with movies, books, and games, and there is also a beautiful koi pond. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is close by, and plenty of walking trails are at the RV park and around it.
• Number of sites: 80 pull-through or back-in sites
• Rates: From $33; long-term rates are available upon request
• Type of hookups: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed with restrictions
• Showers: Yes
• Additional amenities: General store, coffee, and donuts, clubhouse with kitchen, weight room, mail service
Panhandle Lodging RV Park
It is always quiet and peaceful at Panhandle Lodging RV Park. There is no traffic, and the park is surrounded by open fields. The views from the park are great, especially at sunrise and sunset. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is nearby, and you'll enjoy the natural beauty and hiking trails in the state park and beyond.
• Rates: Daily/Weekly/Monthly - $25/$125/$350
• Number of sites: 23 pull-through 70-foot sites
• Type of hookups: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed with restrictions
• Showers: No
• Additional amenities: Laundry, electrical 110v outlet at RV sites
Buffalo Springs Lake
Buffalo Springs Lake RV Park is located next to Buffalo Springs Lake, and there are plenty of water-based activities to enjoy there. You can fish, swim, boat, and ride on Jet Skis. There is a separate gate fee for entrance to Buffalo Springs Lake. You can buy food at the local marina.
• Number of sites: Contact for availability
• Rates: $20 for water and electricity/$25 for water, sewer and electricity
• Type of hookups: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30/50
• Showers: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Additional amenities: Laundry facilities
What to Do at
Caprock Canyons State Park
Visitors enjoy walking, biking, or riding on the Trailway, a trail made from an old 64-mile repurposed railway. Horseback riding is popular here, thanks to the park's 20 miles of horseback riding trails and horse-friendly facilities. You can also spend some time at Lake Theo, a fun place to fish, boat, and swim. A scenic roadway is also available so that you can check out some of the park's scenic overlooks from the comfort of your vehicle.
The red rocks of Caprock Canyons State Park are home to plenty of stellar locations to hike, bike, climb, ride horses, and stargaze. The terrain is also ideal for bison, prairie dogs, bats, and other animals. If you want to get out on the water, you should check out Lake Theo.
Inside Caprock Canyons State Park
Caprock Canyons State Park is host to a wide variety of wildlife, including a Texas bison herd. There are bats, eagles, prairie dogs, and many varieties of birds. Theo Lake offers plenty of fishing, swimming, and no-wake boating activities. You will appreciate the 90 miles of hiking trails that range in length and difficulty. The easy Mesa Trail is only 1 mile, and the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail is a moderate 6.3-mile hike that rewards you with a gorgeous waterfall. You can ride horses around the park and even camp at equestrian campsites that have corrals.
Fishing
Lake Theo is a great place to go fishing if you have a valid Texas fishing license. You can fish from a boat or a pier, and if you need a pole, you can rent one from the park. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and trout await.
Geocaching
Caprock Canyons State Park offers a scavenger hunt inside the park. Multiple hidden areas in the park contain unique prizes that will delight geocachers of all ages.
Nature Watching
Observing the Texas State Bison Herd is among the most popular activities here. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the more than 175 species of birds, 30 species of snakes, and 14 species of lizards that call Caprock Canyons State Park home.
Stargazing
Since Caprock Canyons State Park is so isolated, it's a great place to spend a night gazing at the stars. If you visit this International Dark Sky Park on a clear night, you'll likely see the Milky Way and maybe even a meteor.
Flora and Fauna
If you visit the Clarity Tunnel, you'll probably see Mexican free-tailed bats. Roughly 500,000 of these fascinating animals live in this tunnel. If you want to learn more about them, you can take a guided tour of the area.
Hiking
This state park has more than 90 miles of trails. You can pick up color-coded maps of the park's trails at a ranger station or the office.
Boating
Kayaks, canoes, and no-wake boats are welcome on Lake Theo. Using the park's boat ramp, you can put your boat in the water.
Swimming
You can swim at a designated swimming area on Lake Theo during the spring, summer, and fall. A playground and restrooms are nearby.
Climbing
You can go bouldering at Caprock Canyons State Park. Eight different bouldering climbs are present here.
Biking
Many of the park's multi-purpose trails are open to bikers. Courses range in difficulty from easy to challenging and length from one mile to 15 miles.
How to Get to
Caprock Canyons State Park
From Lubbock, drive north on Interstate 75 for an hour before leaving State Route 86 on Exit 74. Drive 45 minutes on State Route 86. This then merges into Highway 87. When you reach Quitaque, turn left onto FM 1065 and drive north for about 15 minutes to the park's entrance.
By Car
Entering Caprock Canyons State Park
Parking is available next to Lake Theo, the North and South Prong areas, and the Visitor Center. You must pay a park entrance fee of $5 daily per adult or $3 daily for a group.
Planning a great trip across the vast state of Texas is just the start of the fun. Once you are on the road, plenty of adventure awaits. Be sure to mark your progress by taking lots of pictures, and share them with RVshare by tagging the site on social media or emailing them to [email protected]. You might see your photos on RVshare's blog or social media channels!
Frequently Asked Questions About Caprock Canyons State Park
The spring and autumn are the best times to visit Caprock Canyons State Park. The summer and winter seasons can be harsh here, so you may want to visit during more temperate times with lovely wildflowers or brilliant fall foliage.
When you visit Caprock Canyons State Park, you might see coyotes, antelopes, mule deer, bobcats, and more. Other animals you might encounter include jackrabbits, foxes, raccoons, and rattlesnakes. The most popular animals that visitors like to view here are bison and the Mexican free-tailed bats.
Wild Horse Campground and Honey Flat Campground have a combined 44 RV campsites. Sites with 50-amp hookups, 30-amp hookups, and water-only hookups are available.
You don't have to reserve a camping spot at this state park, but doing so is recommended since sites can be taken quickly. You can make reservations up to five months before your trip online and by phone. There is no reservation fee. Campsite fees range from $10 for overflow camping areas to $22 for 50-amp RV campsites.
If you bring your pet to Caprock Canyons State Park, you must always keep them on a leash. Horses are allowed at Honey Flat Campground and several of the multi-use trails.
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