99% (34 reviews)
Challenging terrain and majestic animals mark this rocky state park in the Texas panhandle.
Top camping in Caprock Canyons State Park
99% (34 reviews)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Caprock Canyons State Park adventure.
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Emilie
2 weeks ago
Tent
We loved our night of camping here. The welcome was warm and easy. Showers and toilets were clean and practical.
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M
Mike
May 2025
With pets
Fantastic place! Stayed in one of the cabins. Clean, quiet, and great internet. Able to work with no issues. Super friendly crew and the food truck was amazing. You have to try the banana pudding for dessert...
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S
Sharon
May 2025
Tent
With pets
Wonderful place with very clean facilities, friendly and accommodating hosts!
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S
Sam
April 2025
Tent
Very sweet place to stay at. Host was accommodating and the camp is in a great spot for visiting caprock canyons.
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Robert
February 2025
Tent
This is a very well kept rv park with cabins, a very nice laundry cabin, a clean shower and even a food truck with a pretty extensive menu. The tent camping area is a wide open area and worked well for my self contained set up. I would highly recommend as a stopover for Colorado-Texas Texas-Colorado travel. It was worth the short detour from the main routes.
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Rob
November 2024
Tent
We were only here for a short overnight stay, but our host was very accommodating. She allowed us to park in what was not a usual space for campers, so that we could have access to the playground table to reorganize the cargo in our truck. Short stay, but the location was quiet and we were impressed by the neat and clean bathrooms and laundry area. We would come again.
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Camping in Caprock Canyons State Park guide
Overview
About
This Texas state park sits about 100 miles southeast of Amarillo. Here you can fish, swim or boat on the water of the 120-acre Lake Theo. The park's also home to the historic Texas State Bison Herd. The bison in this big family are descendants of animals once nearly hunted to extinction.
If you're up for something totally different, take a trip through the Clarity Tunnel. This abandoned railroad tunnel has become the home of approximately 500,000 Mexican free-tailed bats! Wander in solo or get a guided tour from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Hipcampers looking for a hiking challenge will find a worthy one in Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail. This tough terrain takes you to the highest point in the region. If you can handle the steep grades, you'll get a tremendous view!
Haynes Ridge is the toughest trail, but the others in this area aren't cakewalks either. The Mesa Trail is probably the best bet for beginners. Follow this relatively level path to an impressive canyon overlook.
Notable campgrounds
- Drive-up campsites with electricity provide convenience for those looking to combine comfort with the great outdoors.
- Hike-in primitive sites offer a secluded retreat for adventurers seeking a more rugged experience.
- Equestrian campsites with corrals cater to horseback riders looking to explore the trails and rest alongside their steeds.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early, especially if planning to visit during the busy seasons of spring, summer, and fall.
- Check the park's reservation system regularly for cancellations and new availability.
- Consider visiting during weekdays for better chances of securing a spot.
- Explore nearby camping options if the park is at capacity.
When to go
The best times to visit Caprock Canyons State Park are during the milder seasons of spring and fall. Summer brings intense heat, with ground temperatures soaring, making activities challenging during midday. Winter offers a unique, serene landscape, occasionally dusted with snow, but be prepared for cold temperatures.
Know before you go
- Always maintain a safe distance from the bison; they are wild animals and can be unpredictable.
- Check for any park alerts or closures before your visit.
- Accessibility information is available for those with special needs.
- Bring your own drinking water, as resources along the trails may be limited.
- Remember to present proof of negative Coggins for each horse at park headquarters.
99%
34 ratings · 13 reviews
Recommends
· October 2018
Buffalo, deer, ground hogs and many more animals to see.
Mark W.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2018
If you plan on hiking the longer trails, be sure to take plenty of water with you. There is no water available once you're on the backcountry trails!
Hunter R.
2 reviews
August 2018
LOVE this campground, it's a true hidden gem. Stopped here on a road trip across the country, and would love to find myself back here if the stars aligned. Stay here!
Julie M.
28 reviews
Recommends
· November 2017
Beautiful place to wake up and see the sites 1st thing. Each campground has a fire ring, picnic table with wind protector(?). It was a little windy, and it was chilly at night.
Sue R.
8 years on Hipcamp
October 2017
Pretty average campground, but has no water and no tent pads. Very primitive but very secluded from the other campsites.
Jason C.
7 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
Stayed here with a group of friends for Memorial Day weekend 2017, the first night the wind was CRAZY, kept me up all night although I am a light sleeper. We even chatted with some other campers and their tent had blown away! The next two nights were super easy and chill though. About a mile hike in, and we arrived there during the hottest part of the day so it was a little sweaty but overall an easy hike. It felt like Moab in Texas! The area was gorgeous, and the hiking was fun. No defined camp sites, so we kinda wandered a bit to find a flat area. The composting toilet was in a little outhouse, stocked with toilet paper. I'd definitely recommend this camping area and park! If you get hot easily, like me, I'd visit in the Fall/Winter!:)
Hannah C.
3 reviews
May 2017
It's about a mile hike to the campsite, easy with very moderate inclines. There is a composting toilet that always had toilet paper when I was there. Plenty of room to spread out - you can wander a bit into the surrounding area to find some seclusion. The scenery around the sight is just gorgeous, and it's well situated to hit all the key hiking trails in the park. I would definitely recommend this underrated State Park and this campground in particular.
Marshall K.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2017
Camp during the week to avoid crowds.
Adam P.
8 years on Hipcamp
January 2016
We loved staying at Caprock Canyon. I had been talking about going to Palo Duro Canyon over Labor Day Weekend with friends but being a holiday, all the campsites were already booked. The state park website directed us here instead, and we're so glad it did! We'd never been before and it was only about 4 hours west of us; so we packed up and hit the road.
We arrived around midnight and after driving through a herd of bison, set up camp at the South Prong Campground. Since it was dark when we arrived, we couldn't see the beauty that surrounded us until morning. It was amazing. A perfect view of the sun rising against the red rock made the campfire coffee taste better. We really loved this campsite and would definitely be back.
Kelly S.
8 reviews
September 2015
Starting from the trailhead at the South Prong Camping Area, this is a flat, easy backpacking trip of just over a mile. The campsites are not private, with a communal, circular pad in the center and sites situated around the perimeter. Kind of a bummer, but there's a good chance there will be no one else there since this park isn't as heavily used as those in central TX. There's no shade, but there is a primitive toilet.
Lisa R.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
The South Prong campground is a developed area for tent camping with bathrooms but no showers. This is a good starting point for the Upper Canyon Trail. This underrated state park is remote enough that it doesn't get that crowded. There's little to no shade, and like the rest of Texas, it gets hots. Plan accordingly and take plenty of water. The vibrant colors and lack of crowds here make it well worth the visit.
Lisa R.
9 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
This is the best campground in the park! Beautiful views of the canyons and lots to explore right from your site. It being infamous for rattlesnakes is no joke so watch your step! We also came across lots of other wildlife in these isolated sites.
Sarah V.
10 years on Hipcamp
January 2015
the Little Red Tent campground at Caprock Canyon State park is a tent only camping area. If you do not mind having to walk a few minutes to the restroom this is a great area. It is beautiful and every time I have stayed here, my group was the only group camping in the entire campground. The entire park is accessible 24 hours a day unlike many of the other parks that lock their gates at 10pm. I often stop here when I am running long trips to Colorado or Utah to sleep for the night, before continuing to Houston the next day.
E
Erin D.
10 years on Hipcamp
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