TPWD built Palo Pinto Mountains with accessibility in mind. If you have questions about our accessibility options, please call our park office or email us.

Trails

Accessible trails have inclines not exceeding 8 percent. These trails also access overlooks for Tucker Lake, Russel Creek and the railroad. The paths look like dirt but are made of decomposed granite with a wax coating to prevent erosion.

• Connecting Trail (0.6 miles) weaves through Canyon View day-use area and parking for Painted Stick Campground and the main trailhead. It has multiple road crossings. 
• Raptor Ridge Trail (0.5 miles, 1-mile round trip) is an out-and-back trail starting at Main Trailhead with four rest spots.
  • Bonus: This trail also features two scenery viewers, one at standing height and one at sitting height, both with binoculars using EnChroma lenses designed to correct red-green color blindness. They also work for those who aren’t color blind.
• Lakeside Accessible Trail (0.15 miles of this trail) is part paved and part decomposed granite. This trail connects our boat ramp, day-use parking and fishing pier. It wanders to an overlook of the spillway on Tucker Lake and has several rest spots.

All Terrain Mobility Devices

Want to explore our other 12-plus miles of trails? Email us or ask at headquarters about our loaner chairs.

We have two GRIT All-Terrain Freedom Wheelchairs and one Action TrackChair. These chairs handle rugged terrain and are free to use during normal office hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily). We will deliver a chair to the trailhead of your choice.

Both chair types have limitations. Ask at headquarters about maps showing the trails these chairs can handle.

Note: Trail conditions change depending on the weather. Please call the park if you have any questions or want to know the status of our trails.

Waterfront

Boating

The boardwalk to the courtesy dock/kayak launch does not exceed an 8 percent incline.

The kayak launch is wheelchair accessible, allowing you to more easily load into your kayak (or canoe) and move your kayak in and out of the water.

Fishing

Ramps to the fishing pier do not exceed an 8 percent incline. This facility is shaped like a half circle with a wide walkway. Walkways around main fishing areas are paved. 

Fish cleaning stations have paved walkways and counters at two heights so users can stand or sit.

Park programs

 You can reach both amphitheaters via accessible trails.

• Canyon View: At the playground, turn off the paved walkway and follow the accessible trail to reach the gathering area at the end. 
• Crappie Cove: Take the paved walkway past the fishing pier until it becomes an unpaved accessible trail. The gathering area is on the left before you reach the spillway.

Auditory assistive devices are free to borrow at our headquarters. With these devices, rangers use a mic that pairs with headphones that you wear.

If you need a modification to participate in an upcoming program or experience, please complete an ADA Modification Request Form at least two weeks in advance. We might not be able to accommodate requests made less than two weeks prior. 

Campsites

Sites 1, 4, 11, 20, 22, 23, 36 and 41 are ADA compliant and are spacious with smooth surfaces.

Russel Creek Equestrian Campground: These sites have water and 30/50amp electric connections plus corrals for one to two horses. An ADA bathhouse with restrooms and showers, ADA mounting platform and dump station are nearby.

• Site #1: Back-in campsite, closest to ADA bathhouse
• Site #4: Pull-through campsite, a few sites away from ADA bathhouse

Warbler Ridge Multiuse Campground: These two sites have water and 30/50amp electric connections and a nearby ADA bathhouse with restrooms and showers.

• Site #11: Back-in campsite, a few sites away from ADA bathhouse
• Site #20: Back-in campsite, next to ADA bathhouse
• : These sites have water nearby, but no electricity.
• Site #36: next to vaulted restroom
• Site #41: a few sites away from vaulted restroom

Restrooms

Explore our restrooms virtually before your visit:

• HQ internal restroom
• HQ external restroom & storm shelter
• Russel Creek bathhouse & storm shelter
• Warbler Ridge bathhouse & storm shelter (coming soon)
• Vaulted restroom (all designs are the same)
• Bristol Backcountry composting toilet (Note: this facility is not considered accessible but is included in this list for your knowledge and planning purposes)

Other Facilities

Playgrounds: Both playgrounds have accessible features including ADA swings and ramps up to slides. Multiple climbing features offer fun for kids with varying climbing abilities. The surface of playgrounds is mulch. 

SeaCoast Viewers with EnChroma Lenses: Located on the first overlook on Raptor Ridge Trail, these double level viewers help visitors with red-green color blindness to fully experience  nature’s colors. The viewers also work for those who are not color blind.

Equestrian Mounting Ramp leads up to a flat platform with a rim along the edge. 

Parking: Designated parking is available in these areas:

• Headquarters
• All bathhouses and vaulted restrooms
• Painted Stick Campground parking loop
• Main Trailhead parking loop
• Russel Creek Equestrian Day-use parking area
• Canyon View Day-use and Pavilion
• Crappie Cove Day-use shorefront

Accessibility at Palo Pinto Mountains

Park buildings meet federal accessibility standards as of September 2025. If you notice something that would improve your experience at our park, we would love to hear it! Please send your recommendations to our who work to find creative solutions to make Texas State Parks more accessible.

Visit the park virtually by exploring our 360° photos. For more information about trails and the park’s points of interest, visit the trails information page.

Conditions can change quickly. Contact the park for more information and to ask about the status of particular accessible features. 

Find accessibility information for our other parks.