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Caprock Canyons was surprisingly one of our favorite state parks in Texas! We stopped by this park on our way to Amarillo, Texas with no set expectations. We were thrilled to see so much wildlife with so little effort. Here are some of the animals we saw during our stay.
When we entered the park we were almost immediately greeted by a herd of Bison! Although the park requires guests to stay at least 50 yards away from the bison, we had a great view of them as they were crossing the roads.
Bison by the lake at Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas, USA
Bison crossing the road at Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas, USA
Prairie Dogs at Caprock Canyons
Prairie Dog Speaking at Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas, USA
We saw a coterie of prairie dogs just steps away from the sidewalk (near a playground). They were so adorable!
There were also prairie dogs at the Canyon Rim Trailhead. They blend in well with the dirt so remember to look carefully while you are there.
Prairie Dog at Canyon Rim Trailhead, Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas, USA
You may hear the prairie dogs before you actually see them. Have you ever heard a prairie dog speak? If not, check out this little guy talk in the video below.
Lizards
Lizard perching on gypsum rock at Caprock Canyons State Park, Texas, USA
We saw this cute green lizard during our hike on Eagle Point Trail. It’s perched on top a pocket of gypsum rock.
Other Animals
Here are some other animals you might encounter during your trip.
Burrowing owls – Near the RV bathrooms
Roadrunners
Wild turkeys
Mule deer
Bobcat
Coyotes
Rabbits
Snakes
Birds
Tarantulas
Bats – Brazilian Free-tailed bats can be seen at Clarity Tunnel. However, they are there seasonally and will likely be gone by fall. Bat guano (bat poop) is on the bottom of the cave so if you choose to walk or bike through Clarity tunnel try not disturb the ground and wear masks.
Catfish at Theo Lake
Overall
If you love animals and the outdoors, this is the place for you. Remember to bring a good pair of binoculars and a good camera (preferably with a telescope lens) to capture these amazing animals roam the park.
Save money with a State Parks Pass! We plan on visiting several Texas state parks this year, and after pricing out the day use and camping fees, it made more sense to purchase a Texas State Parks annual pass.
The Texas State Parks annual pass gives us unlimited free entry to 89 state parks and it gives us additional perks like discounts on camping. The standard pass costs $70 + shipping and handling fees ($5.95). However, if you are a senior, disabled veteran or have a substantial physical or mental disability, you may qualify for a free Texas Parklands Passport. For additional information, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
If you are planning to visit your state parks this year, check to see if your state offers an annual pass or other discounts. If you live near bordering state(s), check out that state’s details as well. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Arkansas does not charge entry fees to their state parks.
Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend. It is a gorgeous place filled with natural beauty. We love disconnecting from the busy city life, and enjoying the peace and quiet here. Below is our itinerary for a perfect romantic weekend getaway at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Tomales Bay Resort is less than 15 minutes away from the Point Reyes National Seashore visitor center. Choose a Bayview room, which is located right above the water. No children are allowed in these rooms and this section of the property remains pretty quiet. These rooms feature a pillow-top King bed, leather sofa, desk, wet bar with refrigerator and microwave, fireplace, and granite bathroom with shower. The beds are very comfortable!
Day 1
Point Reyes Station
Stop by Point Reyes Station on your way to Tomales Bay Resort, and explore this cute town. You will find great places to eat and shop here. We always stop by Cowgirl Creamery Barn Shop & Cantina, and pick up some delicious, organic cheeses, smoked meats and a bottle of Stubbs Pinot Noir for a simple picnic at the beach. They also have a kitchen where you can order food.
If you are taking a kayaking tour the next morning, you will want to buy additional food and drinks for tomorrow’s breakfast and lunch.
Romantic Picnic at the Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore has beautiful, clean beaches to have a picnic. These are our top two favorite beaches to have a romantic picnic:
South Beach
South Beach is very easy to get to. The beach parking lot is located right next to the beach, and bathrooms are also in the parking lot. This beach has never been packed when we visited and there is plenty of space to spread out so we could still have an intimate picnic.
McClures Beach
McClures Beach is a beautiful secluded beach. During low tide, you can explore the tidepools and a hidden beach south of the beach (left side). You do have to hike a little over a mile to get to this beach, but it is an easy hike. We often had the beach to ourselves or saw only a couple of people there. [For more information about this hike, read this separate post…]
Driving Tour & Couple Photos
Take a leisurely drive around Point Reyes, and see the historic ranches, wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenic views. Bring your selfie stick and take couple photos. I love this selfie stick because it has a tripod that is compatible with cell phones, iPads or Tablets. It also comes with a camera remote for remote shooting. The bottom of the tripod is not weighted and Point Reyes tends to be windy so you will want to wrap a jacket around the base to prevent the wind from knocking over the tripod.
Cafe Reyes, 11101 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Try Cafe Reyes wood-fired pizzas of fresh oysters for dinner. Pair it with some wine or craft beers.
Couple Time by the Fire
Light a fire, put away your electronics and just enjoy being with each other. If you are staying in a Bayview room, make sure you enjoy the view of the water from your balcony. On a moonlit night, you may even see silvery fish jumping out of the water.
Night Life
If you want to grab a drink and play some pool, visit Old Western Saloon, 11201 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. This dive bar has live music on the weekends.
Day 2
Breakfast
If you are taking a kayaking tour this morning, fix yourself a simple breakfast in the room and make sure you pack snacks for the tour.
If you are not taking the kayaking tour, head over to Station House Cafe, 11180 CA-1,Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, for a hearty organic breakfast. Their food is locally sourced (Farm-to-table), and has been around since 1964!
Kayaking Tour
For the adventurous couple, take a kayaking tour of Point Reyes or Tomales Bay! We enjoyed our tour with Blue Waters Kayaking. They offer half day or full day tours, but we took the half day tour. They even offer a bioluminescence kayaking tour! We have not been on this tour yet, but on dark, moonless nights you can see dinoflagellates (tiny creatures that glow when they are disturbed) light up the water as you paddle through them. Although we have not experienced the bioluminescence tour at Tomales Bay yet, I did get to swim in bioluminescent water in Thailand and it was an amazing experience!
You will have an opportunity to see wildlife on your kayaking tour. We saw all different types of birds, river otters and sea lions, but you may also see Tule elk, bat-rays and leopard sharks. There is a cash-only parking fee at the boat launch, but make sure you check their website for updated information.
Point Reyes Lighthouse
Hike down to Point Reyes Lighthouse and possibly see some whales! Make sure you bring your binoculars.
The best time to see them is January through March. The hike itself is beautiful. You will have sweeping coastal views and see some interesting shaped leaning trees. There is also a Lighthouse Visitor Center.
Watch the Elephant Seals
The Elephant Seal Overlook is very close to Point Reyes Lighthouse. It is a short, easy walk from the parking lot. Make sure you bring your binoculars.
Other Hikes
Point Reyes has several trails that have unique features. You can hike to Alameres Falls and observe a rare coastal waterfall. You can watch birds at Abbotts Lagoon or observe Tule Elk and breath-taking ocean views at Tomales Point.
One year I wanted to celebrate my birthday at the beach so my bestie threw me an incredible birthday party at Point Reyes National Seashore. It was a private party with our boyfriends (who are now our husbands) and Bella, her dog. It was one of the best birthday parties I ever had!
How to Plan the Perfect Birthday Picnic at the Beach
Choose The Right Location
We chose to have my birthday at South Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore because it met all of our requirements. It was the perfect setting for a glam, birthday picnic party. The beach had drive-up access, which made it easy to unload our decorations. The beach is not crowded and allowed us to have a private birthday celebration.
Here are some questions to consider when you are choosing your beach location:
When is it open? Point Reyes National Seashore is open daily from 6am to midnight, but other beaches may only be open for day use.
What is the weather like? Advise your guests on what to wear so that they will be comfortable. Some people are surprised that the beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore tend to be chilly and windy and are unprepared for the weather.
What are the fees (e.g., day-use fees or parking fees)? Advise your guests on any fees and if there is a limitation on form of payment (e.g., cash only). There are no parking fees or day-use fees at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Does the beach have drive-up access? You are going to be hauling tables, decorations, food and drinks from your car so drive-up access to the beach is ideal. If the parking lot is far away from the beach, you may want to get a beach wagon to carry your belongings. The South Beach parking lot is right next to the beach. However, the parking lot is slightly higher than the beach, which means you will need to walk downhill (on sand) to the beach, and then back up. It took us a few trips to unload all of our belongings.
How far are the bathrooms? The bathrooms are in the parking lot and have always been clean when we went.
Is the beach crowded? No. Although this beach is easily accessible, it is not crowded. You will not have to worry about tons of noise and chaos. You will also have plenty of opportunities to take beautiful photos without strangers in it. You will want to bring a portable tripod for group photos.
Can you swim at the beach? No, swimming is not advised at Point Reyes. People also have to watch out for sneaker waves.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, dogs are allowed on South Beach but must be on a 6-foot leashat all times. For more information on pets at Point Reyes, visit the park’s website.
Is alcohol allowed on the beach? Yes, alcohol is allowed at Point Reyes, but no kegs are allowed. Containers must be less than 5 gallons, and drinkers need to be at least 21 years old.
Are bonfires allowed? Yes, as long as you get a beach fire permit. Point Reyes beach fire permits are free. For more information, visit the park’s website.
Do I need a permit for a beach picnic? Some beaches require a permit if you have a large enough party. If you have a party with more than 25 people at Point Reyes, you need to obtain a Special Use Permit.
Are there any other restrictions or closures? Check the beach’s website before you plan the party, and also the day of the party.
What is your back-up plan? In an outdoor setting, it is good to have a backup plan in case it rains, gets too cold, etc. We were staying at the Tomales Bay Resortso we would have moved the party to our place. Some rooms at Tomales Bay Resort are dog friendly.
Beach-Themed Invitations
Choose a beach-themed birthday party invitation. I love these invitations. The tropical flora and abstract blues both give beachy vibes. The first one is a print to order item, and the last two are digital files that you can download and print at home or send as Evites.
The beach and ocean setting is the main focus so all you need is a few decorations to compliment its beauty. The Point Reyes beach is windy so decorations had to be chosen with care.
Flowers of your choice
Small vase(s) – Short, sturdy vases are perfect for this windy beach because they will not topple over.
Table cloth – Tuck the ends of the table cloth underneath the table legs so you do not need to bring table cloth clips.
Low Table(s) – We put 2 low tables together to create 1 long table so that we could all face the ocean while we ate. However, all four of us could have sat at 1 table if we faced each other.
Picnic Blanketor Extra Blankets – The picnic blanket was great to stretch out on, and blankets provided extra warmth at night.
Melamine Plates– We used paper plates but wished we had brought heavier plates. There were a couple of times we had to chase down our plates in the wind and that was not one of our planned activities.
Linen Napkins – The weight of these napkins make it less likely to blow away in the wind compared to paper napkins.
We chose to have a simple birthday picnic of wine, cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, smoked meats, grapes, a hearty salad, and salted caramel cupcakes for dessert.
Cheese
Smoked Meats
Crackers
Your Choice of Fruit or Vegetables – Fruits you can pickup with your hands are ideal.
Hearty Salad – My friend made a delicious chicken salad.
Favorite Wine
Water
Birthday Cupcakes – We chose cupcakes over cakes because cupcakes are in individual portions, and you can eat them with your hands. Top them with cute ocean-themed cupcake toppers to add some flair.
Marshmallows
Graham Crackers
Milk chocolate bars
Other Items
Happy Birthday Message Drawn in Sand at Abbotts Lagoon
Candles
MultipurposeLighter – It took a group effort to block the wind long enough to light the candle.
Binoculars for watching birds, whales, elephant seals or other animals.
Sunblock – Travel size bottles can double as a practical party favor.
Birthday Activities
Throwing a Football at the Beach
Make a Bonfire
Roast Marshmallows
Play the guitar or ukelele
Throw a football or frisbee
Hike– Point Reyes has some amazing trails. Below are some short, but rewarding hikes. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on these trails.
McClures Beach:Trail follows a stream that leads to a secluded beach. Check out tide pools and a hidden beach during low or minus tide. [Read more…]
Abbotts Lagoon: If you love birds and wildlife, this is the hike for you. You can see a lagoon, sand dunes and a remote section of Great Beach. [Read more…]
Point Reyes National Seashore is a wonderful place to take children. I have been taking my daughter there since she was old enough to travel in ababy hiking carrier. I was excited to show her the world, and I would point out and name everything we saw and heard to help build her vocabulary. Some people might have thought I was crazy having a one-sided conversation with a baby but teaching my daughter how to communicate from an early age was one of the BEST mom-moves I have made! Teaching her how to sign as a baby kept her crying to a minimum because she was able to communicate to me what she wanted or needed, and I was able to solve her problem swiftly and accurately. So, if you are tired of playing the guessing game, you should give this a try.
Below are our top 3 kid-friendly hikes at Point Reyes. I chose them because they are short hikes that have unique features to keep children entertained. Although these are kid-friendly hikes, you are still out in nature so please exercise caution. Check the National Park Servicecurrent conditions and closures, check the weather, observe the signs or warnings displayed, do not swim in the ocean, beware of sneaker waves, never turn your back to the ocean, and stay clear of animals.
Elephant Seal Overlook
This is the shortest and easiest hike, which makes it a great hike for beginners! A short walk from the parking lot, will bring you to an overlook where you can see elephant seals! If you do not know what an elephant seal is, you are in for a treat. I recommend learning about them before your visit so it will be even more meaningful. For some free learning materials (e.g., informative cartoon, real life videos, kids’ activity sheets, fun facts, etc.) and more information about this hike, continue here.
Abbotts Lagoon
If your kiddo likes birds, this is the hike for them. Abbotts Lagoon is a great place to go bird watching, especially in the fall or winter. The hike to Abbotts Lagoon is relatively flat and easy. You will walk through lush green lands, see wildflowers, and you may even see otters swimming in the lagoon and other animals along the way. If you continue further, you can explore the sand dunes and visit Great Beach. For more information about this hike, continue here.
McClures Beach
McClures Beach is a great place to explore tidepools and have a peaceful picnic. This hike is more challenging than the others because it is not flat, but it is still easy enough for small children. As you walk on the trail, you can see a stream making its way to the beach. We enjoyed watching the tiny waterfalls along the way. For more information about this hike, continue here.
Runner Up
You might be surprised that I did not include the hike to Point Reyes Light House as one of my top 3 kid-friendly hikes. I did not include this because of the flight of stairs that lead to the lighthouse. Although there are places to rest along the way, it may be too strenuous for small children. However, if you think your kids can make it, it is one of my favorite must-see stops at Point Reyes.
My daughter was able to walk up and down the stairs without assistance as young as five years old. We loved visiting the lighthouse to watch the migrating whales. The best time to see them is January through March. The hike itself is beautiful. You will have sweeping coastal views and see some interesting shaped leaning trees. There is also a Lighthouse Visitor Center.
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