Explore the Scenic Trails of Texas’ Hidden Canyon State Park, Home to Roaming Majestic Bison

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Explore the Scenic Trails of Texas' Hidden Canyon State Park, Home to Roaming Majestic Bison

You’ll have to drive nearly five hours from Dallas to see one of Texas’s most incredible parks — but it’s worth the price of a rental car at the Dallas Fort Worth airport (even if you have to walk 2 miles from your gate to get to the parking lot). Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is a remote escape into nature, with plains, canyons, and a 1,000-foot-high rock cliff. Along the way, you can watch herds of bison grazing in the morning, spend all day hiking the immense trail system, wait at the entrance of an abandoned railway tunnel at sunset to see a cloud of bats emerge, and then admire the impressively bright stars in the night sky above.



If you’re hoping to spend the night in the park and get an early start hiking, there are plenty of campsites available to choose from, with prices between $10 and $22 per night, at the time of this writing. If you’re planning to visit Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway, expect to pay $5 at the entrance. If you have any children under the age of 13 coming with you, they get in for free.

The best hiking trails to explore at Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway

Red rocks in Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway in Texas



If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike to explore Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway and see some of the incredible wildlife that lives in the park, the Caprock Canyon Rim Trail (Spur Loop) might be the best option. It only takes most hikers a little over 30 minutes to complete the loop and make it back to the trailhead. The landscapes visible from the trail are definitely worth it on their own, but it should also be considered one of the best spots for birdwatching. Most excitingly of all, it’s easy to see bison along the way that could even be blocking the trail.

For more of a challenge, consider Eagle Point Trail. This route takes over 1.5 hours and traverses a natural bridge to see the canyon. There may be bison along this trail, too. If you’re looking to really test your skills, try the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail. It takes most hikers around 2.5 hours to go up an impressive 600 feet and look down on the park from above. Just be aware that this is difficult, similar to the national park trails that are only for experienced hikers.

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Where to see wildlife in Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway

Bison grazing in Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway in Texas

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.