Caprock State Park near Quitaque, Texas

As we drove into Caprock Canyons, we felt like we were driving into one of the canyons of an Old West movie about the American West. The colors of the vegetation and the rocks with their deep red colors made it a beautiful drive.

The Visitor Center

Logo Over the Gate To The Visitor Center

White-crowned Sparrow

Bison

We had to wait awhile to get into the Visitor Center because they close for lunch - probably one of the things they have to do in order to save money on help. We walked on behind the Visitor Center and the overlook behind it and saw this bison resting right below us in the valley. 

Yellow-headed Blackbird

We walked back to the parking lot to eat some lunch and we saw this little guy sitting next to another truck in the lot.  I knew we hadn't seen one like him before. We spent about 15 minutes just watching the yellow-headed blackbird as we ate our lunch in the truck. The Ranger told us that he now knew it was officially spring because these blackbirds come to the park in early spring on their migratory route. 

Yellow-headed Blackbird

We finally were able to get into the Visitor Center where we learned about the canyon. I was wondering how Caprock got its name and found out that it is named for the limestone layer (caliche) that is resistant to erosion and is responsible for the distinctive geography and appearance of the High Plains of west Texas. The High Plains is known as Llano Estacado and is from 3000 to 5000' in elevation and is mostly a treeless plateau. Whatever and however this region formed, it certainly is gorgeous!

An Overlook Pavillion

After we left the Visitor Center, we drove around the park and took a ton of pictures, naturally! 

Mary With Some Bison Art Overlooking The Canyon

Scenes from Caprock State Park

An Amphitheatre Overlooking The Canyon

Wildflowers

At one of the scenic turnouts, we decided to take a little hike and get closer to the canyon walls and take a better look at them. We met another couple who stopped to talk to us because of our truck. This is how we meet a lot of people! We took their picture and they took ours at this vista.

Mary and Lee at Caprock Canyon

The Road Out Of Caprock State Park