Quitaque, Texas

Caprock Canyons State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife Caprock Canyons State Park has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. It’s an important achievement because it recognizes the park’s commitment to protecting the natural night environment and reducing light pollution. This certification helps preserve wildlife habitats, improve visitor experiences, and maintain the stunning visibility of the Milky Way. It also strengthens community partnerships and positions Caprock Canyons State Park as a leader in dark sky conservation for future generations.

“Texas continues to lead the way for continued night sky conservation with Caprock Canyons State Park’s International Dark Sky Place certification. This certification demonstrates that park staff and volunteer work can make significant impacts on reducing light pollution and protecting dark skies,” said DarkSky International Community Program Manager, Michael Rymer. “Caprock Canyons is a beautiful place far from artificial light, so those who travel to the park will be sure to not only experience the beautiful night sky, but observe responsible outdoor lighting that keeps the stars at night big and bright.”

Caprock Canyons State Park is located just outside the small town of Quitaque, Texas, in the Texas Panhandle region. Encompassing more than 15,000 acres, the park showcases the dramatic red-rock landscapes of the Caprock Escarpment, the long, rugged cliff that marks the transition between the High Plains and the lower Rolling Plains. Towering canyons, scenic overlooks, and miles of trails make this park one of the most striking natural areas in the state. Established in 1982, Caprock Canyons continues to draw visitors seeking adventure, solitude, and a connection to Texas’ wide-open beauty. The park holds deep historical and cultural significance, telling the story of both people and wildlife that have shaped the land for centuries. Long before it became a state park, these canyons and plains were home to people for the last 10,000 years including the ancient Paleo Indians as well as Native American tribes such as the Comanche and Apache. Their presence still echoes through the landscape in the form of artifacts and oral traditions that speak to a deep connection with the natural world. 

As time moved forward, the area became tied to the rise of Texas ranching and the enduring legacy of Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight. The Goodnights not only helped establish the nearby JA Ranch but also became instrumental in saving the last of the Southern Plains bison from extinction in the late 1800s. Their compassion and foresight ensured that a vital piece of Texas’s natural heritage would endure for generations. Today, Caprock Canyons State Park proudly carries that legacy as the home of the official Texas State Bison Herd, direct descendants of the Goodnights’ original animals. These magnificent creatures now roam freely across the park’s sweeping grasslands and red-rock canyons, embodying both the wild spirit and resilience of the Great Plains. Their presence offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience living history firsthand, while ongoing conservation efforts safeguard the herd’s future. Through this work, Caprock Canyons continues to preserve not only the story of the bison but also the broader heritage of the land and the people who fought to protect it. As night falls, the park reveals a different kind of wonder. 

The dark skies of Caprock Canyons provide a breathtaking view of the Milky Way, unobstructed by artificial light. This pristine night environment supports a variety of nocturnal creatures, including bats, owls, and opossums, all of which play vital roles in the local ecosystem. With its newly earned International Dark Sky Park certification, Caprock Canyons now stands as a beacon for conservation, protecting not only the land and wildlife but also the natural night that connects us all to the greater universe.

To achieve designation as an International Dark Sky Park, Caprock Canyons State Park undertook year-long efforts to protect and restore its natural night skies. With valuable guidance from multiple astronomy club members and DarkSky Texas volunteers, the park developed a comprehensive Lighting Management Plan to ensure all outdoor lighting met dark-sky-friendly standards. Staff and partners worked diligently to replace or retrofit fixtures, add shielding, and adjust light placement to reduce glare and skyglow. Alongside these improvements, the park-maintained years of careful night sky documentation and data collection, demonstrating a consistent commitment to preserving darkness for wildlife, visitors, and the surrounding community. 

Volunteers from the DarkSky Texas chapter were also instrumental in the park’s application efforts. “I have visited Caprock Canyon State Park for almost a decade now. It is an undiscovered treasure nestled in the rough edge of the Llano Estacado,” said Gordon Meredith, the North Texas Regional Manager of DarkSky Texas. “It has some of the darkest skies in the Lone Star State, and perhaps all of the Lower 48. It is truly a wonder to see the summer Milky Way stretch from horizon to horizon from one of the canyons there.”

Art Schneider, Panhandle Regional Manager with DarkSky Texas, adds that Caprock Canyon has served the community of Amarillo, TX in showing just how important the night sky is. “As an astronomy volunteer for a dozen years, I and the Amarillo Astronomy Club have offered star parties averaging three per year at Caprock Canyons State Park. We have known from the start that it is one of the darkest parks in Texas. Views through our telescopes are truly spectacular. Visitors are able to share this experience at every star party. I was also fortunate in joining the park for the collection of sky quality meter data and providing measurements needed in the application process. Designating Caprock Canyons State Park as an International Dark Sky Texas Park assures the ongoing legacy of the spectacular views visitors will continue to experience.”

Looking ahead, Caprock Canyons State Park is committed to continuing its efforts to protect and enhance its dark skies. Future plans include expanding public education and night sky programs, and collaborating with nearby communities like Quitaque to promote dark-sky-friendly practices beyond park boundaries. The park also aims to continue monitoring sky quality and updating its Lighting Management Plan as technology and best practices evolve. By building on its recent certification, Caprock Canyons strives to ensure that future generations can experience the awe of a truly star-filled Texas sky.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program: 

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, including wildlife habitat, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Caprock Canyons State Park now joins over 250 Places striving to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/

About DarkSky International: 

The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.

Contacts

Natalie Smith
Caprock Canyons Park Interpreter and Volunteer Coordinator 
Texas Parks and Wildlife 
(806) 455-1492 
[email protected]

Michael Rymer
Communities Program Manager, DarkSky International 
(520) 347-6365
[email protected]