This Texas state park is 5th to get 'Dark Sky' designation
Because of recent rains wildflowers showed more color while in bloom along the trails of Caprock canyons State Park.( Nick de la Torre / Chronicle ) (Photo by Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
QUITAQUE, Texas - Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is the fifth in Texas to be designated as a Dark Sky Park by an international group.
Parks with the DSP designation are recognized for their efforts to conserve the natural skies in their area and limit light pollution at night.
Caprock Canyons is a Dark Sky Park
The park, located in Quitaque, Texas, northeast of Lubbock, joins state parks and natural areas recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway, located near Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 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, TPWD said.
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What they're saying:
"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."
Dark Sky Parks in Texas
Big picture view:
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.
There are now two International Dark Sky Sanctuaries and four International Dark Sky Parks in Texas:
- Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex, located near the southern border of Texas;
- Copper Breaks State Park, located north of Abilene;
- South Llano River State Park, located west of Austin;
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located west of Austin
- Devils River State Natural Area, located north of Del Rio, was designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Texas in 2019.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.