Trailway Information
Discover the roots of a community.
Experience the story of western development as you hike, bike or ride horseback on this rails-to-trails corridor. The historic Weatherford, Mineral Wells & Northwestern Railroad was once the lifeblood of the community. Today you can witness the rich natural and cultural history of the Western Cross Timbers from this gentle trail.
Trails
All trails are multiuse unless otherwise indicated.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Mineral Wells to State Park | 5.8 mi. | Easy | Enjoy the active downtown district of Mineral Wells, and learn about its history as a resort town. The discovery of mineral waters here in the 1880s launched new businesses catering to tourists and health seekers. Equestrian use is not allowed on this portion of the Trailway. |
| Trailway to State Park | 0.6 mi. | Moderate | There is a steep grade on the switchbacks connecting the park with the trailway; watch your step and be considerate of other visitors. |
| State Park to Garner | 3.1 mi. | Easy | Travel between Lake Mineral Wells State Park and the farming community of Garner on this short, scenic section of the trail. |
| Garner to Weatherford | 10.9 mi. | Easy | Passengers and freight traveled this same route from the 1890s until 1992. Today, you can watch for wildlife, birds and colorful wildflowers as you travel past farm and ranch lands. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Point on the Trailway | 32.8176° | -97.8794° | Water either runs southwest to the Brazos River or northeast to the Trinity River from here. |
| Garner, Texas | 32.8341° | -97.9865° | Garner was a common rail shipping point for agriculture produce from area farmers. |
| Dry Creek Bridge | 32.8321° | -97.9945° | View the sandstone cut bank along Dry Creek. |
| Trail to Lake Mineral Wells State Park | 32.8081° | -98.0272° | Head north from here on the steep, switchback trail to Lake Mineral Wells State Park. |
| Highway 180 Overpass Bridge | 32.8005° | -98.0362° | This overpass was built for the trailway. The railroad ran at ground level and crossed Highway 180. |
| Vietnam Memorial Park | 32.7995° | -98.0385° | The Army’s Primary Helicopter Center was at nearby Fort Wolters during the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. |
| Rock Creek Coal Mine | 32.8026° | -98.0429° | Coal from the nearby Rock Creek Coal Mine was loaded onto trains here in the 1900s. |
| Rock Creek Bridge | 32.8061° | -98.0453° | Rock Creek winds its way south through Lake Mineral Wells to the Brazos River. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet when biking. Check with park HQ to match the ride to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Potentially harmful plants and animals live here. You’ll see them more easily if you stay on trails.
- You may not be able to connect. It’s a good idea to take along a cell phone and GPS unit, but don’t count on them.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Share the trail. Watch for others. Mountain bikers should yield to hikers and horseback riders.
- Use only your muscles. To protect park resources, no motor vehicles are allowed on the trails.
- Stay on the trail. Respect the rights of neighboring private property owners.
