Caprock Canyons

Caprock Canyons Trails Map 850 Caprock Canyon Rd. Quitaque, TX 79255 (806) 455-1492 www.texasstateparks.org POINTS OF INTEREST LEGEND (GPS coordinates shown in degrees, minutes, seconds) 2 THE LAST DANCE 34° 27' 41.74" N 101° 5' 45.83" W View a “hoodoo” geologic formation resembling a couple in a dance-like pose. 3 THE NATURAL BRIDGE 34° 26' 10.14" N 101° 4' 2.04" W Walk under the Eagle Point Trail where nature has created a “natural bridge.” Stop at the wooden bench and use the small trail to walk underneath and through the Natural Bridge. 4 Restroom Parking Trailhead Toilet Amphitheater Picnic Area FOLSOM HISTORICAL SITE 34° 24' 54.83" N 101° 4' 13.94" W Here you will find yourself going back 10,000 years to learn about the Folsom people and this unique archeological site. Be sure to visit the Interpretive Amphitheater Pavilion later, to check out the replica of the archeological feature found at the site. 5 THE PRAIRIE 34° 24' 36.08" N 101° 3' 41.84" W View the official Texas State Bison Herd in the restored mixed-grass prairie. 6 HONEY FLAT PRAIRIE DOG TOWN 34° 25' 16.39" N 101° 3' 13.80" W Observe the quirky and amusing behavior of the black-tailed prairie dog in its natural habitat. 7 Headquarters FERN CAVE 34° 27' 47.42" N 101° 6' 53.20" W Here you will find natural springs that have created the ideal habitat for ferns growing along a scenic canyon overhang. CAUTION High Clearance Vehicle Recommended 1 Playground Scenic Overlook Yield To Swimming Fishing Boat Ramp Interpretive Exhibits Historical Marker In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. © 2019 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD MP P4506-0079S (7/19) HOLMES CREEK CANYON 34° 25' 11.88" N 101° 2' 51.06" W Walk along the Canyon Rim Trail and enjoy spectacular views of the creek below. Multi-Use Trail Group Picnic Shelter Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. All trails are multi-use unless otherwise indicated. Contour intervals 20 feet. Trail lengths are in miles. Elevation levels are in feet. No claims are made to the accuracy of the data or its suitability to a particular use. Map compiled by Texas State Parks staff. Primitive Camping Tent Camping Water/Electric Camping Equestrian Camping TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. Caprock Canyons State Park Natural beauty surrounds you in the canyons beneath the Caprock Escarpment. “Hay sierras debajo de los llanos” (there are mountains below the plains) was a FOR EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1. TRAIL DISTANCE TIME DIFFICULTY DESCRIPTION EAGLE POINT TRAIL (Trail EP) 2.0 mi. 1.5 hr. Moderate Experience the scenic transition from plains to canyons down to the Natural Bridge, where erosion has carved a natural “tunnel” underneath the trail. CANYON RIM TRAIL (Trail CR) 3.0 mi. 2.5 hrs. Moderate Travel along the rim overlooking Holmes Creek Canyon and into the mixed-grass prairie to view wildlife in their native habitat. Enjoy scenic canyon views as the trail continues further down the Caprock escarpment. OLD RANCH ROAD 5.9 mi. (Round Trip) (Trail RR) 4.5 hr. Moderate Named for the park’s ranching heritage, this trail offers easy to moderate hiking in the canyonland breaks where cattle and cowboy roamed. WILD HORSE TRAIL (Trail WH) 2.3 mi. 1.5 hrs. Moderate Horseback ride or hike on your descent into the Little Red River to take in spectacular canyon views sculpted by wind and water. LOWER SOUTH PRONG (Trail SL) 2.2 mi. 2.0 hrs. Moderate View the brilliant white veins of gypsum exposed by the flow of water along the creek bed as you travel through portions of the Little Red River. LOWER NORTH PRONG (Trail NL) 2.9 mi. 2.0 hrs. Moderate Hike or horseback ride this moderate trail to see the scenic canyon views of the north side of the park where the remote landscape brings you closer to nature. MESA TRAIL (Trail MT) 3.0 mi. (Round Trip) 2.0 hrs. Easy As its name implies, this easy trail circles around a flattopped hill with a vantage point offering spectacular views of the southeast portion of the park. NORTH PRONG SPUR (Trail NS) 1.3 mi. 1.0 hr. Moderate This moderate multi-use trail ascends up the “saddle” where primitive camping and the Haynes Ridge, Upper North Prong, and Lower North Prong trails can be accessed. 2.3 mi. HAYNES RIDGE OVERLOOK TRAIL (Trail HR) 2.5 hrs. Very Challenging Enjoy unmatched views of the Caprock landscape on our most popular trail leading up to the highest portion of the park. This trail offers a gratifying hiking challenge that is well worth the effort to traverse the 600-foot ascent. UPPER SOUTH PRONG (Trail SU) 2.6 mi. 2.0 hrs. Challenging Journey on a hike through time. See exposed geologic formations and rock fins millions of years in the making, and spectacular canyon views. UPPER NORTH PRONG (Trail NU) 2.0 mi. 2.0 hrs. Challenging Follow this moderate to challenging trail where erosion has sculpted beautiful hoodoos such as the “Last Dance” into amazing works of art. Continue down the trail to enjoy an oasis of maidenhair ferns and natural springs at scenic “Fern Cave.” common phrase used by early Mexican travelers who crossed through the area. Today you can hike, bike, or ride horseback on more than 25 miles of trails through the scenic canyons, observe native prairie wildlife, and witness nature’s greatest living symbol of the American West, the official Texas State Bison Herd. TRAIL ETIQUETTE Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace. Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people. Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts. Keep pets on leashes to keep them safe while protecting wildlife. STAYING SAFE KNOW YOUR LIMITS. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity. TELL OTHERS WHERE YOU’LL BE. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. WEAR A HELMET. When biking, check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash. DO NOT APPROACH BISON. Bison are wild. Stay at least 50 yards away. Never surround, crowd, approach, or follow bison or any other park wildlife. For information on Texas State Parks, visit www.texasstateparks.org Black-tailed Prairie Dog Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /texasparksandwildlife @TPWDparks #TxStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co.