01-07 | Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway Becomes Fifth Texas State Park to Receive Dark Sky Park Designation

Jan. 7, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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QUITAQUE – Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is the latest Texas State Park to be designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The International Dark Sky Park designation will ensure the protection of the park’s dark skies not only for the park’s natural resources, but also for the local community and out-of-town visitors to enjoy.

To receive the dark sky park designation, parks are required to use quality outdoor lighting, effective policies to reduce light pollution, ongoing stewardship practices, and more.

“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication that the park staff showed during this year’s long process to obtain the dark sky designation,” said Donald Beard, Park and Historic Site Superintendent for Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway. “It took each and every one of them to buy-in and work toward the ultimate goal of the certification.”

The Dark Sky designation for Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is something park staff can undoubtedly be proud of when they look back at their careers with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, added Beard.

Within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) system, there are now two International Dark Sky Sanctuaries and four International Dark Sky Parks, including Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex, Copper Breaks State Park, South Llano River State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, designated by the IDA. Devils River State Natural Area was designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Texas in 2019.

Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway, shaped by wind and water over the eons, features the rugged plains of the Texas Panhandle. Park visitors can explore the park’s 90 miles of trails while viewing bison roaming the plains and bats roosting in Clarity Tunnel.

To learn more about dark sky initiatives in state parks, visit the Dark Skies Program page on the TPWD website.