Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Plainview, TX

While there is no camping anywhere in the park, it does have a lot of recreational things happening in all corners. The “lake” is part of a larger controlled water way that is part of Lubbock Lake Park complex. The main entrance off of Broadway Ave is poorly maintained by the city (like many others around LBK) but once inside there are a multitude of things to do.

• Frisbee golf. A very large and meandering course through trees, grass, bridges and a floating island, it plays host to tournaments often.

• Canyon Run Dog Park. Do happy the city finally made this happen. Two sides of the same fenced area equal more than 5 acres of well maintained doggy play area. Huge old Oaks provide plenty of shelter with benches scattered about.

• Fishing galore in the lake. Busy all day long and stocked frequently. 4th of July fishing derby packs the lake.

• Joyland. A dated but busy amusement park is open late spring through mid fall.

• Scattered trails with signs giving length and direction can be found often through large trees areas and open grass areas.

• Baseball, softball, golf and a Prairie Dog Town can be found in the N and NE corners.

This damned lake (Army Corps of Engineers) recreation area offers some very inexpensive camping and OHV trail access. When the water is full during the summer, the lake is good for motoring, fishing, and other water sports. We visited during the draw down which offered a lot more beach area, but less water. 

Many of the campsites offer full-hook ups with all the usual amenities, picnic table, grill, sun shade and fire ring. A few of the campsites lie along the rim of the canyon and are way more beautiful, offering more privacy and sweeping vistas, but do not offer water or electricity. Bring your own solar panel and water and you are all set! 

Bathrooms were scarce, none close to the campground, unless we missed them, but there were some toilets by the office/campstore. So, come prepared with your own facilities, too if you don't have one in your RV.

Closest town for groceries and supplies is Plainview, about 45 miles away.

Caprock Canyon South Prong primitive camping area

The Caprock Canyon South Prong primitive camping site is about a 1 mile hike from the South Prong Tent camping area and the trailhead.

You’ll hike up and down some ravines and up a hill to reach it. If you’re able to camp at this site you’ll be rewarded with great views of the mountains and the valley. The red rock formations in this park are amazing.

I highly recommend hiking the Upper South Prong trail to the Fern Cave and then returning via the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail.

Other highlights at this park include watching the prairie dogs and bison roam freely on the plains.

The only downside for this park is that to see some of the attractions you might need to drive because they are located far apart. The bison tend to gather on the open plains. The prairie dogs are located near the Honey Flat campground. Both of these attractions are far from the South Prong Camping Area. 

This park is located in the panhandle of Texas so it’s likely that you will have to drive a long distance to reach this park. if you would like to breakup the drive consider stopping over in Abilene to grab a bite to eat, see the worlds largest buffalo skull, or see the worlds largest paper airplane.

Created by the Red River, Caprock Canyon State Park, lies about 125 miles to the southeast of Palo Duro Canyon. While many similarities exist between the two state parks, the differences are striking. For starters, this park features the remaining heard of Southern Plains Bison (related to the Bison heard managed in Yellowstone N.P.) who wander the park roads and graze upon the local vegetation. So, keep your speed down and pay attention around every corner, especially at night!

We stayed in the Equestrian Camp (water only, no toilets, no electricity so come prepared with your solar panel).   Spacious sites, corrals for horses at each site, and one very squeaky windmill that will keep you awake at night if it's windy, which it always is.  Try to get a spot that is NOT right next to it!  The campground has a gate to keep wildlife out and horses in.  You'll have to open and close it each time you leave/return.

Hiking might just be the best way to see this park, but miles and miles of horse trails offer an unique experience from the saddle. Many trails crisscross the dry washes so pay attention to your trail markers so you don’t get turned around. Opportunities to hike up to the highest point in the park are strenuous but well worth the effort. So too is the hike back to the year-round springs that keep the wildlife running.

The nearby town of Quitaque also has an ice/water kiosk and a convenience store which is less than 5 miles away.  The closest town with a real grocery store and restaurants is Plainview, about 55 miles away.