North Texas’ first state park in 25 years officially opens Sunday.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials urge visitors to make reservations in advance for entry to the long-awaited Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located 80 miles west of Fort Worth.
Park officials are bracing for a high volume of visitors on opening day and through the next several months, including spring break.
A ceremony officially honoring the park’s opening will take place later this spring, parks officials said in a release.
“State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park,” state parks director Rodney Franklin said in a Feb. 25 news release.
The opening comes after three years of delays and pushbacks due to construction, state officials previously said. Those delays hindered original plans to host a soft launch in 2023 as part of the agency’s centennial celebration.
The state parks department hosted a soft opening of Palo Pinto park New Year’s Day, where rangers led groups of visitors who reserved tickets to the exclusive First Day Hike event.
As of December, parks officials were completing remaining construction projects including paving and pier decks, state parks spokesperson Stephanie Garcia said in a statement to the Report.
“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 Anne Brown, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation executive director. “Opening a new state park enhances quality of life for Texans across the region.”
How to visit Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Day passes into Palo Pinto Mountains State Park are priced at $7 per guest, 13 years or older.
For entry into Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, day passes and tickets can be purchased at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reservation website, by calling customer service or at any state park.
The agency also offers a Texas State Parks Pass for $70, which waives entrance fees into all state parks for passholders and their guests for a full year. Passes also grant discounted overnight reservations and store purchases.
Palo Pinto encompasses over 4,800 acres of former ranchland, where guests can bike, camp, fish and hike on 16 miles of trails. Trail systems range from family-friendly routes to more moderate hikes.
The park also features the 90-acre Tucker Lake, juniper-laden hills and Cross Timbers grasslands. The area is known for its foliage, seasonal blooms, plant life and is a hot spot for migratory birds.
Guests who plan to visit this spring can expect to see native wildflowers, such as Indian blankets, yellow coneflowers, white prickly poppies and evening primrose.
The parkland was acquired by the state in 2011 through a mix of private and public dollars, including $10 million raised by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. The acreage was first eyed by the state in 2008 when officials partnered with The Nature Conservancy to consult land owners and identify suitable land for a new park.
Visitors are advised to enjoy the park with caution and follow park rules as officials finalize “finishing touches,” the release states.
Prescribed burns may impact visitation, according to the state parks website. Some areas, such as camping sites, lodging facilities, trails and day-use areas may also be closed for safety reasons.
Officials are planning to open other parks across the state through 2034.
Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org.
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