November 5-6, 2025, Commission Meeting Agenda

Work Session

Commission Agenda Items

August 20-21, 2025, Transcripts

 

Commission Agenda Item 4
November 6, 2025

Land Acquisition – Briscoe County – Approximately 1,120 Acres at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to acquire a 1,120-acre parcel from a willing seller to add to Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway. The land would increase the habitat for the State Bison Herd as well as expand recreational opportunities at the state park.

II.     Discussion: Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway consists of approximately 15,300 acres in Briscoe County, making it the third largest state park in Texas. Caprock Canyons State Park opened in 1982. In 1993, the trailway was created after Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) acquired 64.25 miles of right-of-way from the abandoned Fort Worth and Denver Railroad lines between Estelline and South Plains. Today, the park hosts the State Bison Herd, which was originally preserved by Charles Goodnight and his wife and donated to the State of Texas in 1997.

Staff prioritizes acquiring state park inholdings and adjacent properties from willing sellers to minimize operational and management conflicts and ensure the conservation of TPWD public lands. Staff has identified an adjacent 1,120-acre parcel available for purchase from a willing seller, which would provide additional habitat for the State Bison Herd as well as expand recreational opportunities at the park. The property includes 4.1 miles of Holmes Creek and Dry Creek, cultural resources, and native wildlife habitat.

III.   Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to acquire from a willing seller approximately 1,120 acres at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway.”

Attachments – 3

  1. Exhibit A – Location Map
  2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
  3. Exhibit C – Site Map of Proposed Acquisition

Exhibit A – Commission Agenda Item No. 4

Location Map for Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Briscoe County

Exhibit B – Commission Agenda Item No. 4

Vicinity Map for Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Briscoe County

Exhibit C – Commission Agenda Item No. 4

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Caprock Canyons State Park Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow