Adventure Awaits
At Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, the Newest in Texas
Texas’ newest state park and the first in North Texas in nearly 25 years, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is officially open and ready to host your next outdoor adventure. Located just west of Fort Worth near the town of Strawn, the park spans over 4,800 acres of former ranchland, offering North Texas families a Hill Country feel without the long drive.
At the heart of the park is Tucker Lake, a tranquil 68-acre reservoir tucked into the rugged hills and blooming prairies. Here you can swim, paddle a kayak or canoe, or cast a line for largemouth bass and channel catfish from the fishing pier or accessible launch. A fishing license is not required inside the park. Only motorless crafts are allowed, so expect quiet waters, big skies, and starlit evenings that provide a much needed escape from the urban sprawl.
More than 16 miles of multi-purpose trails wind through shortgrass savannas and groves of oak, juniper, mesquite, pecan, and cedar elm, offering excellent paths for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. About 1.25 miles are ADA-compliant, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available for select non-accessible trails, opening up the landscape to a wider range of visitors.
As for wildlife, the park’s diverse habitat supports deer, wild turkey, quail, and an impressive list of migratory birds. In spring and summer, bird watchers may spot the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and the rare black-capped vireo nesting among the oaks and junipers.
Overnight guests can choose from RV sites, walk-in tent pads, and primitive camping areas that let you wake up to sunrises over limestone ridges and the sound of woodpeckers in the Cross Timbers. Picnic areas, a fish-cleaning station, and modern restrooms make it easy to turn a day trip into a relaxed weekend stay.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park delivers rustic Texas scenery, complete with rocky hills, picturesque views, and starry nights without the long haul. Reservations are recommended as Texans flock to explore this brand-new state park and start making memories on its trails and shoreline.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
100 Park Road #77, Strawn, TX 76475
(254) 672-5684
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-pinto-mountains
