I, like most parents, have found myself on a never ending quest to find affordable ways to keep them entertained, engaged, mentally stimulated, and doing more than staring at a copy of Fortnite with their mouths dangling wide open like some kind of cosmetics hungry zombie. This past weekend, I stumbled upon a hidden a gem in the panhandle.

It's amazing place where you can chill where the buffalo roam, right here in Texas.

How Am I Just Now Finding Out About Caprock Canyons State Park?!

It feels like there were a lot of people keeping this one a secret from me. Rightfully so, I suppose. It's a quiet spot, right now. It isn't crowded, and it's absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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A very good friend of mine suggested I take my youngest out there for the day this past weekend, and I'm glad I took them up on the suggestion. My two-year-old son had a blast.

Why Does Caprock Canyons Feel Like A Hidden Gem?

Probably because you have to go to Quitaque, Texas to get there. In case that name doesn't mean much to you, it's a town of somewhere between 300 and 400 people. There isn't much there for the average passerby. Just an Allsup's and a mural of the main characters from Lonesome Dove, or so I think.

It's a nice mural either way.

There isn't an abundance of signs pointing you to the state park, though. I probably would have never found it without the help of my friend.

What Is There To Do At Caprock Canyons State Park?

There's a lake, Lake Theo. There are playgrounds and play areas. There are several campsites with incredible views. There are plenty of trails to hike, all with even more incredible views.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Honestly, the scenery at Caprock Canyons is stunning. It's a gorgeous place that I didn't want to leave when it came time to.

The best part of my little trip, though, was the wildlife.

Where The Buffalo Roam, And Stare At You

Caprock Canyons State Park is home to an honest-to-God herd of bison. Yes, bison. They stare at you as you drive by, if they care that you're driving by at all.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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My son lost his little mind at the sight. There, right outside of his window were these bison. They were sunbathing and relaxing in the afternoon sun. They were massive, and he couldn't get over them.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Another aspect of the wildlife that we experienced were the prairie dogs. There were so many of them, and they seemed to not care at all that we were nearby. Again, my son was losing his little mind.

Caprock Canyons State Park Is Well Worth The Trip

According to their website, there's even more to Caprock Canyons than what we saw in the time we were there. There's over 90 miles of trails. For the wildlife enthusiasts, there are also bats that roost in Clarity Tunnel.

Charlie Hardin
Charlie Hardin
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Another aspect that makes it a trip that is hard to beat? The price. Five bucks is all it costs for adults to get into the park. Kids 12 and under get in free. That's hard to beat if you have young kids.

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