The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will open Palo Pinto Mountains State Park for a soft opening on March 1, marking the first new state park in North Texas in over two decades. The park is located between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and spans 4,871 acres of former ranch land available for hiking, biking, fishing, and exploration.
Governor Greg Abbott commented on the significance of the new park: “The opening of the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park marks an exciting new landscape for Texans to explore. 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, highlighted the collaborative efforts involved in creating the new park. “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 has prioritized expanding public access to land throughout his administration. Under his leadership since his election in 2014 (source), the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has focused on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling, and southern border security (source). The office maintains its primary location in Austin at the State Insurance Building (source) and delivers services statewide (source). Governor Abbott was recognized among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 (source).
Future parks are also planned across Texas with projected openings through 2034. These include 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).
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park offers early access before its grand opening. Visitors can experience a variety of landscapes from hillsides covered with juniper trees to hardwood bottomlands typical of North Texas’ Cross Timbers region.
For additional information about Palo Pinto Mountains State Park including events schedules or trail maps, visit its page on the TPWD website.
