Texas’ newest state park is opening its gates for a soft opening at the beginning of March, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release.
The details
The March 1 opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park gives early park access to guests ahead of the grand opening, which will be announced at a later date. The park’s website states “final touches are ongoing” and guests might see some construction.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is the first state park to open in 18 years and the first state park to open in North Texas in 24 years, according to the release.
“This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas,” Director of Texas State Parks Rodney Franklin said. “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.”
The park is roughly 75 miles west of Dallas-Fort Worth and encompasses 4,871 acres of former ranch land to hike, bike and fish. Trails will lead to remote areas of the park with vista views, lakeside experiences and a variety of campsites, including RV sites, according to previous reporting.
“The opening of the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park marks an exciting new landscape for Texans to explore,” Abbott said. “This state park will expand outdoor opportunities for families across our state and showcase the natural beauty that makes Texas, Texas. With the addition of this state park, generations of Texans will be able to enjoy over 4,000 acres of natural landscape for years to come.”
The website states guests 13 and older will have a $7 daily entrance fee and children 12 and under are free to enter the park.
The backstory
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, according to previous reporting.
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.
