In a nutshell
Rangers at the park will offer guided hikes only on Jan. 1 to explore the park before it officially opens and provide a unique way to celebrate the new year, according to a news release.
"Because we are still under construction, access is limited, and all visitors are required to have a day pass reservation," a Palo Pinto Mountains State Park representative said to Community Impact.
The representative added there is not a set opening date for the park, which is located about 75 miles west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Zooming in
The 4,871-acre park will have a large network of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, according to the park's website. Trails will lead to remote areas of the park with vista views, lakeside experiences and a variety of campsites, including RV sites.
Land for the park was purchased in 2011 after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partnered with The Nature Conservancy to buy land for a new state park. In 2014, the city of Strawn leased Tucker Lake to Texas State Parks to become part of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, the website states.
Construction began on the park in February 2021. This will be the first new Texas State Park in 25 years, according to the park's website.
