On the southern edge of Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle lies Caprock country, an area rich in human and natural history. Many of the small ponds that dot the plains near Quitaque and Turkey were likely old bison wallows, reminders of when millions of the animals once roamed here and Indigenous hunters followed them. Giant steel arrows planted along the highways mark events in the life of one of the last great Comanche chiefs, Quanah Parker. Now, the Texas State Bison Herd resides at Caprock Canyons State Park, where scaling the tall canyon walls allows a glimpse of the imposing sea of grass that once stood at the edge of the frontier. But there is more out here than a state park: Good food and live music abound in the surrounding towns.
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1 ⁄ HOTEL TURKEY
This historic 1927 hotel and live music venue features comfortable rooms (starting at $99/night), luxury bath products, a small restaurant, and Bob Wills memorabilia. A Quanah Parker mural and a cluster of shipping container rooms are outside. Friday and Saturday nights offer live music, dancing, and drinks on the patio.
2 ⁄ TURKEY CREEK WINERY
Located on Turkey’s Main Street, this winery is known for its tasty pizzas and selection of sandwiches, souvenirs, and wines. Before a casual walk around town, enjoy a mellow tempranillo produced at Thirsty Mule Winery in Liberty Hill.
3 ⁄ BOB WILLS
A large monument detailing Bob Wills’ life welcomes motorists on State Highway 86. Turkey has a small museum in the city hall detailing the country musician’s life, a replica of his tour bus parked at a historic gas station, and plenty of murals.
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4 ⁄ CAPROCK CANYONS STATE PARK AND TRAILWAY
The 15,000-acre park’s trails along the red escarpment offer all levels of hikes. The area between Haynes Ridge and North Prong has stunning views of the canyons—just keep an eye out for bison.
5 ⁄ THE COFFEE MILL AND MERCANTILE
A hearty sandwich from the Coffee Mill in Quitaque is an ideal lunch after a hike. Part restaurant and part gift shop, the store displays local artists’ work to guests waiting on their BLTs, ham and apple paninis, or jalapeño popper sandwiches.
5 ⁄ CAPROCK TRAILWAY
This 64-mile rails-to-trails route stretches along an abandoned railway from Estelline to South Plains. Hike, bike, or ride a horse from the Monk’s Crossing trailhead south of Quitaque to the Clarity Tunnel, home to a large bat colony.
