Palo Pinto State Park is one of the newest state parks in Texas and offers outdoor adventurers a place to hike, fish, camp and explore. The state park is located near the city of Strawn between the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex and Abilene. The park consists of 4,871 acres that was originally a private ranch before the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) purchased it in 2011.
The park had plans to open in 2023, but was delayed until 2026 due to weather setbacks, supply chain issues and complex construction problems. The park held a soft opening on March 1, though finishing touches are now being applied to certain areas.
A formal grand opening will take place later this spring. To visit, day passes are valid from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m and it is highly recommended to reserve a day pass in advance to guarantee entry, as the park reaches capacity on weekends.
Entrance fees are based on age: adults ages 13 and older pay $7 per day; children 12 and under are free. An annual membership, called the Texas State Park Pass, provides unlimited entry to more than 88 state parks.
The benefits of this pass not only includes free entry for the individual but can cover the entry of up to 15 guests as long as they travel in the same noncommercial vehicle with the pass holder. If the pass holder enters the park by bicycle, motorcycle or on foot, up to 14 guests are able to waive the park fees.
With this pass, visitors are also eligible for discounts for camping and retail, getting 50% off the second night of camping when staying for two or more nights in the same site, and a 10% discount on retail items, including equipment rentals at state park stores. The pass is $70 annually.
Passes can be purchased at any state park headquarters throughout the state. Visit exasstateparks.reserveamerica.com or call the TPWD Customer Service Center at 512-389-8900 for a pass or to reserve a campsite. The flora and fauna of the park is defined by a mix of dramatic geology, diverse ecosystems and endangered birds.
The park’s mountains are actually cuestas, which are ridges with a gentle slope on one side and a steep, sudden drop on the other. The park sits in the Western Cross Timbers, which creates three distinct “neighborhoods” for plants and animals. Tucker Lake, in the heart of the park, is surrounded by pecan and cedar elm trees. The highrise plateaus are dominated by Ashe juniper (cedar) and Texas oaks.
The open prairies are filled with native grasses and wildflowers like the Indian Blanket and Bluenonnets.
The ground of the park is considered a critical nesting habitat for the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, gray foxes, bobcats and coyotes can be spotted throughout the park.
Once the sun goes down, the dark skies at the park offer great stargazing. The park was designed to minimize light population and is one of the best spots near DFW to see the Milky Way.
Nature lovers anxiously await the official opening of the park so they can explore a new and unique part of Texas never seen before.
