Off the Beaten Track
I spend six days in the Park and on the Trailway, and had a fantastic time. After late to the park, I car camped in Little Red Tent Camping area, which has comfortable, level spots to set up your tent.
Next, I went on a 2 night backpack, parking at Monk's Crossing, and hiking to the Clarity campsite, just before the tunnel. In the morning, I hiked through the tunnel, and on to John Farris Station, and then back to my camp at Clarity. The scenery in Quitaque Canyon is great. And the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has done a good job of placing story boards along the trailway, with interesting tidbits of natural and cultural history that add interest to the outing.
For the next two nights, I camped in the park at North Prong Primitive campsite. From there, I did a day hike up Hayne's Ridge Overlook Trail, and then down the Upper Canyon Trail, and back to my campsite at North Prong. Only complaint about these trails is that a few sections are too steep; they could use a few more switchbacks in some spots to increase safety and prevent the trail from eroding.
The next day, I went back to the trailway, parked at Quitaque Depot, and hiked to Mullin's Rise. This section of the trailway travels along the edge of the town of Quitaque, between large cultivated fields, and through some shelterbelts. After I arrived at Mullin's Rise, a storm came through, and I took refuge in the restroom (not a problem because it didn't smell). At Mullin's Rise, there a nice, level spots on both sides of the "tracks" to set up your tent.
The next day, I hiked back to Quitaque, drove back to the park, and showered off. I made final my camp at Lake Theo, as I wanted to be able to get an early start the next morning. Enjoyed spending part of the evening walking around the campsites and picnic areas on the lake. There was no one else there, which was kind of a pity, as they have expended a lot of effort to make a nice campground and picnic area there.
I rose up before the sun the next morning, broke camp, and stopped at Caprock Cafe in Quitaque for breakfast. Had a nice meal there, at a friendly price. Only complaint is that some of the other clients smoked, which I'm just not used to any more (I live in a city where, mercifully, all restaurants are non-smoking).
A couple thoughts from my experience:
o One challenge at Caprock Canyons State Park (and on the trailway) is the wind; it can make cooking difficult. My stove (an MSR Whisperlite) has a foil windscreen, which was difficult to keep from blowing away. If you have considered trying some of the meals with the self-heating magnesium strips, this could be a good place to use them.
o I had a lot of wind at night at North Prong primative campsite, which blew dust into my tent, despite it being covered with a rainfly. My tent is mostly fabric, with a mesh front door and a mesh vent a few inches above the floor around the perimeter. A four season tent could be a good idea here, so you can close up the vent openings most of the way, to prevent the ingress of dust. Ultralight all-mesh tents would have a real problem here with dust during high winds.
I recommend a trip to Caprock Canyons. I had a wonderful time. The staff were friendly and helpful. The parks and wildlife department has done a good job of providing interpretive information that adds interest to a trip. Pick up a copy of 'A Visitor's Guide to Caprock Canyons Trailway State Park' before hiking on the trailway (it's free at the Visitor Center). The Trailway in particular seems to be little used, but it's a real treasure. Hike it before it gets "discovered".