The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is set to open Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas, marking the first new state park in the region in over two decades. The soft opening will begin March 1, providing early access to visitors ahead of a grand opening.
Located between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park spans 4,871 acres of former ranch land. Activities available at the park include hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor recreation.
Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the significance of this addition to the state’s park system. “The opening of the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park marks an exciting new landscape for Texans to explore,” said Governor Abbott. “This state park will expand outdoor opportunities for families across our state and showcase the natural beauty that makes Texas, Texas. With the addition of this state park, generations of Texans will be able to enjoy over 4,000 acres of natural landscape for years to come.”
Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks, commented on the collaborative efforts behind the project. “This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas,” Franklin said. “Opening Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents the culmination of collaborative efforts that includes our Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as well as private donors. I am proud of the dedication of our TPWD team but also the unwavering support of the Texas Legislature and the voters of Texas that have brought us to this moment. State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park.”
Governor Abbott’s administration has prioritized expanding public access to land across Texas at an accelerated rate since his election in 2014 [source]. The Office of Governor Greg Abbott operates from its main offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building [source] and provides services statewide [source]. The governor’s office has also focused on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling, and border security [source].
Palo Pinto Mountains is part of a broader plan by TPWD with several additional parks scheduled for future openings: Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area (estimated 2026), Post Oak Ridge State Park (estimated 2029), Bear Creek State Park (estimated 2029), Honey Creek State Natural Area (estimated 2029), Powderhorn State Parks and Wildlife Management Area (estimated 2029), Chinati Mountains State Natural Area (estimated 2032), and Davis Hill State Park (estimated 2034).
The new state park features landscapes including juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands typical of North Texas’ Cross Timbers region.
Further information about events or maps can be found on TPWD’s website.
