A local adventure ~
There’s not much to do in Silverton, Texas. But that doesn’t mean it’s not an amazing place. The town is quaint, the breeze is more like a gale, you can walk to any point in town in less than 20 minutes, and there is a Catholic church that we really enjoy!
But, outside of town, there are two incredible Texas State Parks; Palo Duro and Caprock Canyon. The state of Texas has 95 state parks.
Palo Duro SP is just 68 miles from Silverton and is referred to as the Texas Grand Canyon. It is home to the second largest canyon in the United States, behind the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Palo Duro is close to Amarillo, TX and covers 28,000 acres. It is also where Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed.
Caprock Canyon SP is 15,300 acres in size and is the third largest state park in Texas. While Palo Duro State Park seems to be more popular, our favorite of the two is definitely Caprock Canyon. Caprock Canyon is home to the Texas Plains Bison herd! There are over 300 bison roaming all over the park. Be sure to look at the pics below. Caprock Canyon is also home to it’s very own “Prairie Dog” Town! There are hundreds of these little critters squealing and running about!
We have also visited Lake MacKenzie just a few miles away. Lake MacKenzie is a dammed lake that is the primary water source for several small towns in the area, including Silverton. However, the water level is VERY low. Typically people would come from miles around to go boating, fishing, swimming, and jet-skiing, but right now that is all prohibited.
During our time here in Silverton, we have visited Palo Duro State Park once and Caprock Canyon State Park twice. We hope to return to Caprock (it’s closer to home) a couple more times before moving on.
Our next post will answer another one of the questions several of you asked. What are you wondering about? Put it in the comments below.
Please don’t forget to begin your a ma z on shopping by first visiting the Shamrock RV Service website and clicking on “store”.
All the best!!
Chris & Ken
The Plains Bison are very much used to people being around. However, one must remember that they are a wild beast. This pic was taken as we slowly drove past in the truck.
We found a geocache at this cross in Happy, TX.
Us, at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
The rangers at Caprock Canyon have these drinking troughs set up all around the park for the Bison.
Us at Caprock Canyon State Park.
No caption required!
Palo Duro State Park
Palo Duro State Park
The bison has an itch!
Caprock Canyon State Park, so many layers…
Palo Duro State Park
Chris at Caprock Canyon State Park.
Palo Duro State Park
Read the sign!
Chris is checking out the latrine. It was at the end of a 3-mile trail tucked away in a primitive camping area. It was quite clean.
Caprock Canyon State Park
Caprock Canyon State Park
We don’t recommend drinking from the lakes at Caprock Canyon State Park.
