Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting, Special Guests

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting, Special Guests

April 10, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN - Palo Pinto Mountains State Park officially marked its grand opening April 10 with a special ribbon cutting event. Governor Greg Abbott, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Emeritus Lee Bass, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Chairman Michael S. Greene, and Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin were in attendance and spoke.

"The Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is one of the most majestic of them all," said Governor Abbott. "Preserving our lands is crucial. It allows communities to reconnect with the land that made Texas, Texas. We are going to live up to our commitment to preserve our state parks so that future generations have access to the beauty of Texas that was originally seen by Sam Houston and Davy Crockett."

Located between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park offers Texans 4,871 acres of former ranch land to hike, bike, fish and explore on the juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands of the Cross Timbers.

"It's a shining day for the department and the state of Texas as we officially commemorate the opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park," said Yoskowitz. "We could not be more grateful for the support from numerous partners and the Texas Legislature in their commitment to bringing these special places to the people of Texas. This park is truly a jewel, and we are excited to see visitors traversing the trails, fishing from the pier, and experience this special slice of North Texas."

The park opened its gate to visitors on March 1, making it the first state park to open in North Texas in more than 25 years. In its first month of operation, the park welcomed more than 15,000 visitors for day use and overnight camping.

"Everyone has been really excited and impressed," said James Adams, Superintendent of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. "We've had a ton of comments about how well done and thoughtful the design was. They love everything from the Headquarters to the campsites and day use areas."

The park, which was purchased by TPWD in 2011, was originally slated to open in 2023, but completion of construction projects was delayed. Funding for park construction was supported by the Texas Legislature and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF). Funding for the park came through special legislative appropriation, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax and federal funding along with $10 million in private philanthropy raised by TPWF.

"We are deeply grateful to the Texas Legislature for its leadership, and to the generous donors whose private support helped bring this park to life," said TPWF Executive Director Anne Brown. "That support came from people who care deeply about conservation and about Texas-including former commissioner Kelcy Warren, Lee and Ramona Bass, the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the Eugene McDermott Foundation and many others. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is a powerful example of how public and private investment can expand outdoor access and conserve the landscapes that define our state."

True to its namesake, Palo Pinto Mountains is home to a kaleidoscope of color with year-round green foliage, blue colored, berry-like cones and tinted red bark. The park's visitors this spring could see the landscape go technicolor with blooming wildflowers like Indian blankets, yellow coneflowers, white prickly poppies, lemon beebalm, evening primrose and more.

With more than 16 miles of trails ranging from easy, family-friendly paths that can be explored in about half an hour, to more moderate trails of a much longer length, there are routes for everyone to explore and enjoy.

In the fall, visitors may be able to spot fall colors thanks to the red oak and flameleaf sumac trees, which turn crimson, and the pecans and cedar elms that shift golden-yellow.

The park is also the seasonal home to many migratory birds including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, which visits Palo Pinto during the summer months.

For anglers, 90-acre Tucker Lake provides a fishing hole to wet a line. Visitors will be able to fish, boat and swim at the lake, but motorboats are not allowed in order to protect the park's tranquil atmosphere. The lake also has a courtesy dock and ADA-accessible kayak launch to allow all park visitors a chance to enjoy the water.

Overnight guests can also pick the different types of camping experiences they want to experience thanks to new RV sites, walk-in tent spots and primitive camping areas. The park also has a pavilion, picnic areas and playgrounds for groups to gather.

TPWD strongly encourages anyone planning a trip to reserve a day pass in advance since the park regularly reaches its capacity limit. Reserve day passes online through the TPWD reservation website or by calling the Customer Service Center during regular business hours at (512) 389-8900.

For more information about Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, including a schedule of events, park and trail maps, visit the park's page on the TPWD website.

For photos from the Grand Opening event, visit the TPWD Flickr page.