Texas' newest state park has opened its gates. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park officially marked its grand opening April 10 with a special ribbon-cutting event.
Governor Greg Abbott and other state officials celebrate the grand opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.
Chase Fountain
Governor Greg Abbott and other state officials celebrate the grand opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.
Chase Fountain
Located between Abilene and Dallas-Fort Worth, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park offers Texans 4,871 acres of former ranch land to hike, bike, fish and explore on the juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands of the Cross Timbers.
Palo Pinto Mountains is the first state park to open in North Texas in more than 25 years. In its first month of operation (the park opened to visitors March 1), the park welcomed more than 15,000 visitors for day use and overnight camping.
“Everyone has been really excited and impressed,” said James Adams, Palo Pinto superintendent. “We’ve had a ton of comments about how well done and thoughtful the design was. They love everything from the headquarters to the campsites and day use areas.”
The park, which was purchased by TPWD in 2011, was originally slated to open in 2023, but completion of construction projects was delayed.
With more than 16 miles of trails ranging from easy, family-friendly paths to more moderate trails of a much longer length, there are routes for everyone to explore and enjoy. Ninety-acre Tucker Lake serves as the centerpiece of the park, where visitors can fish, boat and swim (motorboats not allowed). Overnight guests can pick the different types of camping experiences they want to experience thanks to new RV sites, tent spots and primitive camping areas.
