Caprock & Palo Duro Canyon

5 nights, 6 days

Caprock Canyon – Wind and water over the eons shaped the rugged beauty of Caprock Canyons State Park in the Panhandle of Texas. Today, bison roam the plains, bats roost in Clarity Tunnel, and you can explore 90 miles of trails.

Palo Duro Canyon – “the second largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. … Experience the canyon’s rugged beauty and enjoy its colorful history.”

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Experience Level:

Must have camped before as this is DIY camping.  The hikes in the itinerary should be considered intermediate due to elevation gain, distance and climate.  The hikes are roughly comparable to Lost Mines and Emory Peak in Big Bend.

See mileage and elevation maps with the itinerary here.

Itinerary:

Overview:

Fri – Houston to Caprock Canyon. (~8.5 hours)

Sat & Sun night in Caprock Canyon

Monday move from Caprock Canyon to Palo Duro Canyon (1.5 hours)

Mon & Tues night in Palo Duro Canyon

Wednesday Morning – drive back to Houston (~10 hours)

Lodging:

Friday – Arrange your own place to stay based on your drive

Saturday – HTXoutdoors arranged Caprock campsite

Sunday – Wednesday – HTXoutdoors arranged Palo Duro Canyon campsite

Fri, Aug 31
Sat, Sept 1
Sun, Sept 2
Mon, Sept 3
Tues, Sept 4
Weds, Sept 5
Fri, Aug 31

Day 1 – Friday, August 31, 2018 – Leave Houston

Departure: Leave after work on Friday. Drive at least half way.

Lodging:  Arrange your own place to stay based on your drive

Food: Arrange your own food

Sat, Sept 1

Day 2 – Saturday, Sept 1, 2018 – Arrive Caprocks Canyon

Arrival: Arrive with time to set up camp before the 4pm hike

Lodging:  Campsite – Little Red River Tent Camping

Food:  Arrange your own food

Hiking:

Early arrivals:

Consider Eagle Point Hike – 2 miles 1 way.  (moderate). Required a shuttle or double the mileage to go back to the starting point.  Or find a spot to park on the street and do a shorter distance just to the Natural Bridge. #3 on trail map.

Option 1: Starts at 4pm 

Total Mileage:  about 6 miles – very challenging.

Timing: About 3.5 hours with breaks

Start & Stop: Park at North Prong Primitive Parking Lot

Sunset at scenic overlook – 1 mile hike out after (bring headlamp & warm layer)

1. Canyon Loop Trail – 1.3 miles (Moderate)
2. Upper Canyon Trail – North Prong – 2 miles (Challenging)
3. Stop at Fern Cave – .3 miles
4. HAYNES RIDGE OVERLOOK TRAIL (Trail B) – 2.3 miles (Very Challenging)
   1. Stop at scenic overlook for sunset
   2. Alternative – take South Prong instead. 2.2 miles, challenging instead of very challenging.
5. Canyon Loop Trail – 0.6 miles (Moderate)

Option 2: Shuttle Required – Starts at 2pm (it’s going to be very hot! Bring EXTRA water and electrolytes) 

Total Mileage:  about 9 miles – Moderate to Very Challenging.

Timing: About 5 hours with breaks

Start: Wild Horse Parking Lot

Stop: Park at North Prong Primitive Parking Lot

Sunset at scenic overlook – 1 mile hike out after (bring headlamp & warm layer)

1. Wild Horse Trail – 0.75 miles (Moderate)
2. Lower Canyon Trail – 2.9 miles (Moderate
3. Upper Canyon Trail – North Prong – 2 miles (Challenging)
4. Stop at Fern Cave – .3 miles
5. HAYNES RIDGE OVERLOOK TRAIL (Trail B) – 2.3 miles (Very Challenging)
   1. Stop at scenic overlook for sunset
   2. Alternative – take South Prong instead. 2.2 miles, challenging instead of very challenging. (this options bypasses the overlook for sunset.)
6. Canyon Loop Trail – 0.6 miles (Moderate)

Sun, Sept 2

Day 3 – Sunday, Sept 2, 2018 – Depart Caprocks Canyon – Arrive Palo Duro Canyon

Hiking:  

Shuttle Required – Early morning start to beat the heat

Total Mileage: ~7 miles – Easy to Moderate

Timing: ~4 hours with breaks

Start:  Parking near Honey Flat Camping Area

Stop: Parking near Wild Horse Camping Are

1. Parking lot to trail head? XX miles
2. Canyon Rim Trail – 3 miles (Moderate)
3. Wild Horse Trail – 0.25 miles (Moderate)
4. Mesa Trail – 1.8 miles (Easy)
5. Mesa Spur Trail – 0.5 miles (
6. Lower Canyon Trail – 0.6 (Moderate)
7. Wild Horse Trail – 0.75 (Moderate)
8. Trail head to parking lot? XX miles

Leave for Palo Duro Canyon – 1.5 hour drive

Mon, Sept 3

Free time in Palo Duro Canyon – plan your own day/hikes

Tues, Sept 4

Hiking: 

Recommended to start at sunrise to beat the sun

NOTES:  This hike is extremely exposed. Minimum 4 liters of water required.

Total Mileage:  7.2 miles

Timing:  5.5 hours

Start:  Lighthouse trail parking lot

Stop: Givens Parking Lots

1. Lighthouse Trail – 2.75 miles (Moderate)
2. Lighthouse Trail – 1.5 miles (Moderate) – check mileage
3. Givens, Spicer Lowry Trail – 3 miles (Difficult)

Alternative 1:

Add on Little Fox Canyon Trail – 2.3 mile (one way or round trip?) Level of difficulty

Alternative 2:

Reduce from 7.2 to 5.5 but going back on the Lighthouse Trail – no shuttle required.

Weds, Sept 5

Depart Palo Duro Canyon and drive back to Houston. ~10 hours

What you bring/arrange:

• Friday night accommodations based on when you leave and how far you’re driving.
• Provide your own dishes, food, beverages, coolers and ice.
• The parks recommends to carry 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of water when hiking.

HTXoutdoors providing:

• Campsites Saturday – Tuesday nights (departing Weds)
• Four 1 burners to share
• Propane for stoves
• Minimal kitchen equipment – please ask prior to the event if you are looking for something specific
• Firewood
• Ask about borrowing a tent and ground pad.