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 more than two decades. The park, situated between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, covers 4,871 acres of former ranch land and offers opportunities 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 bringing the project to completion: “This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas. 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.”
The soft opening provides early access ahead of an official grand opening event. Visitors can experience landscapes including juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands within the Cross Timbers region.
Governor Abbott has emphasized expanding public access to land across Texas. The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has focused on initiatives such as job creation, economic opportunity expansion, education improvement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schools, and border security (https://gov.texas.gov/). Since his election in 2014 (https://gov.texas.gov/), Abbott’s administration has led statewide services from its main offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building (https://gov.texas.gov/) and contributed to record employment levels (https://gov.texas.gov/). In 2024, Greg Abbott was recognized among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People (https://gov.texas.gov/).
Additional parks are planned for future openings across Texas: Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area is estimated for 2026; Post Oak Ridge State Park, Bear Creek State Park, Honey Creek State Natural Area, Powderhorn State Parks and Wildlife Management Area are expected by 2029; Chinati Mountains State Natural Area by 2032; Davis Hill State Park by 2034.
For more information about Palo Pinto Mountains State Park or upcoming events and maps, visitors can refer to resources available through TPWD.
