Soft opening allows early access to visitors ahead of grand opening later this spring

Strawn, Texas -- For the first time in more than 25 years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is opening the gates to a state park in North Texas. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, offers Texans 4,871 acres of former ranch land to hike, bike, fish and explore.

“This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “Opening Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents the culmination of collaborative efforts that includes our Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as well as private donors. I am proud of the dedication of our TPWD team but also the unwavering support of the Texas Legislature and the voters of Texas that have brought us to this moment. State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park.”

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park offers visitors a chance to escape from the bustling pace of the city into the juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands of the Cross Timbers.

"Folks around here are anxious to see this place opened,” said James Adams, Superintendent of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. “We have been dropping some hints about opening soon and the excitement is real!”

With the park opening its gates for the first time for day use and overnight, Palo Pinto Mountains is expecting high visitation through Spring Break and the coming months.

TPWD strongly encourages anyone planning a trip to reserve a day pass in advance since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Reserve day passes online through the TPWD reservation website or by calling the Customer Service Center during regular business hours at (512) 389-8900.

We are still putting the finishing touches on this new park, so visitors are advised to use caution and follow park guidance. A grand opening event officially opening the park is being planned for later this spring. More information about the event will be announced later.

In 2008, when TPWD asked The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to identify suitable land for the park, TNC worked with landowners to successfully piece together Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. 

The park, which was purchased by TPWD in 2011, was originally slated to open in 2023, but completion of construction projects was delayed. Funding for park construction was supported by the Texas Legislature and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF). Funding for the park came through a special legislative appropriation, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax and federal funding along with $10 million in private philanthropy raised by TPWF.   

“We’re thrilled to see the gates at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park finally open to the visitors who have been eagerly awaiting this moment,” said TPWF Executive Director Anne Brown. “We are deeply grateful to the Texas Legislature for its leadership and to the generous donors whose private support helped bring this park to life. Opening a new state park enhances quality of life for Texans across the region, and Palo Pinto Mountains stands as a powerful example of how public and private investment can work together to expand outdoor access and conserve the landscapes that define our state for generations to come.”

True to its namesake, Palo Pinto Mountains is home to a kaleidoscope of color with year-round green foliage, blue colored, berry-like cones and tinted red bark. The park’s visitors this spring could see the landscape go technicolor with blooming wildflowers like Indian blankets, yellow coneflowers, white prickly poppies, lemon beebalm, evening primrose and more.

With more than 16 miles of trails ranging from easy, family-friendly paths that can be explored in about half an hour, to more moderate trails of a much longer length, there are routes for everyone to explore and enjoy.

In the fall, visitors may be able to spot fall colors thanks to the red oak and flameleaf sumac trees, which turn crimson, and the pecans and cedar elms that shift golden-yellow.

The park is also the seasonal home to many migratory birds including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, which visits Palo Pinto during the summer months.

For anglers, 90-acre Tucker Lake provides a fishing hole to wet a line. Visitors will be able to fish, boat and swim at the lake, but motorboats are not allowed to protect the park’s tranquil atmosphere. The lake also has a courtesy dock and ADA-accessible kayak launch to allow all park visitors a chance to enjoy the water.

Overnight guests can also pick the different types of camping experiences they want to experience thanks to new RV sites, walk-in tent spots and primitive camping areas. The park also has a pavilion, picnic areas and playgrounds for groups to gather.

Anyone wanting to visit multiple state parks in 2026 can purchase a Texas State Parks Pass (TSPP). The $70 TSPP waives entrance fees to all state parks for passholders and guests in their vehicle for a full year. Additionally, passholders get discounts on overnight reservations, state park store purchases and more.

Purchase passes online through the TPWD reservation website, through the Customer Service Center or at any state park.

For more information about Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, including a schedule of events, park and trail maps, visit the park’s page on the TPWD website.