Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

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Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

  • Palo Pinto SP
  • Tucker Lake
  • area view of Palo Pinto SP
The park opens Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Beautiful Vistas, Sheltered Canyons

Drive about 75 miles west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and you’ll enter the Palo Pinto Mountains. Just north of the freeway lies 4,871 acres of former ranchland that is now Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Things to Do

This brand-new park offers access to rugged, beautiful terrain. Get away from the city and watch for wildlife, enjoy the views and night skies, and listen for trains passing by.

On land…

Explore 16 miles of multiuse trails on foot, bike or horseback; 1.25 miles are ADA compliant. Trails lead to remote areas of the park with wide vistas.

We loan all-terrain wheelchairs for use on some of our non-accessible trails.

The park is home to endangered golden-cheeked warblers – look for splashes of yellow in the oak and Ashe juniper trees in spring.

On the water…

Fish, boat, swim and look for birds on peaceful 68-acre Tucker Lake. We have a kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier and fish cleaning station (all are accessible). We loan fishing gear for your use in the park. You do not need a fishing license to fish here!

  • Boats with motors are not allowed.
  • Stay safe on the water! Read through our water safety tips.

Visiting…

Bring a picnic and visit for the day or reserve a campsite for an overnight visit. Choose from water and electric sites, walk-in tent sites, or hike-in primitive sites. We also have equestrian sites for those with horses.

Reserve our pavilion for your group gathering.

Learn more about our accessible facilities.

Get involved

Ranger Programs

We frequently offer programs on the nature and history of the park. Check our Events page for the schedule.

Kids

Become a Junior Ranger!

  • Pick up a free Activity Journal and complete tasks to earn your badge.
  • Borrow a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack, loaded with tools for connecting to nature.

Teachers

We offer TEKS-aligned curriculum for field trips. The Junior Ranger Activity Journal is also TEKS aligned and available for self-guided visits.

If you can’t make it to the park, invite a ranger to your classroom for a nature program.