Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Is North Texas’ First New State Park In 25 Years

Together, Texas' parks are reflective of the vastly distinct terrains that make up the Lone Star State, from the Hill Country rivers to the West Texas deserts to the East Texas bayous. Now, the system is welcoming a unique new addition. This year, North Texas is getting its first new state park in 25 years. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is opening its gates to visitors later in 2023, with nearly 5,000 acres to roam. Located around 75 miles from the Fort Worth-Dallas metropolitan area, the park area will offer plenty of outdoor fun amongst its rolling green hills. This year marks 100 years of state parks in Texas, and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park will become the 90th park in the state’s system. 

Here’s what to know about visiting Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Is Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Open? 

Currently, the park area is undergoing low-impact construction to preserve its natural beauty while still providing park roads, trails, and campsites for visitors. It is set for a soft opening in late 2023. Keep up with opening information here.

What To Do In Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

Texans and out-of-state visitors can get excited to hike, bike, fish, swim, kayak, stargaze, and ride horses in the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. Plans include an extensive network of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. Expect trails with beautiful vista views of rolling green hills, which experience cascading fall color in October and November.

You can also access Tucker Lake inside the park to fish, boat, swim, and look for birds. (No motorboats will not be allowed to protect the park’s tranquility!) There will also be visitor-friendly campsites, including RV sites, walk-in tent sites, and primitive camping areas. For daytime visitors, picnic areas and playgrounds will be in place for groups.

Directions To Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

The new state park is located directly in between Fort Worth and Abilene, around a 90-minute drive from each. The park can be reached from Dallas in less than two hours. Just north of the freeway lies the 4,871 acres of former ranch land that is now becoming Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. It’s located just a few miles from Strawn, Texas. 

Mark your calendars, and get ready to pack your favorite Buc-ee’s snacks. Here’s to Texas’ newest adventure.