Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway

1 Access

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In the northwest and north portion of the park, there is a two mile trail out to the primitive campground. The first half mile of this trail in particular is steep and rocky, so this is really backpacking into camp. You will want to arrive in the primitive camp before dark. No ground fires; stoves only. There are only ?? campsites that accommodate only four people each, so there is a real limit to how many people can go on this trip. Plus, the primitive campsites reportedly CANNOT BE RESERVED, which makes it hard to put plans in concrete. But the quality of the resource is top notch.

There are also about 11 miles of multi-use trial (foot, bike, horse). This trail system begins at the same trailhead as the primitive camping trail. It also interconnects 0.7 miles from the primitive campground. So there is opportunity to extend the length of the hike into or out of the primitive campground. There is also opportunity to mountain bike or just hike.

Penitentiary Hollow in the southeast corner of the park is one of the best rock climbing destinations near Dallas-Fort Worth. Even if you do not climb, it is cool to wander through and see. Wherever else you are in the park (unless you come in from the Trailway), you will probably want to drive to the trailhead for 0.8 mile Red Trail to Penitentiary Hollow.

Also at the southeast corner of the park is a short but steep 0.6 mile spur trail that connects to the 20 mile long Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway. The Trailway was previously a railroad line, so is is wide, smooth, and gently graded. The Weatherford Trailhead at mile 0 is northwest of downtown Weatherford off of FM 920. The Garner Trailhead at mile 10.9 is at FM 113, two miles north of Hwy 180. The connecting trail to Lake Mineral Wells State Park is at mile 14.0. The Mineral Wells Trailhead at mile 19.8 is at Hwy 281 four blocks south of Hwy 180.

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Burn ban status: Texas A&M statewide burn ban map • Parker County Fire Marshal: 817-598-0969. verify no other counties involved

Nearest emergency care and hospital: Palo Pinto General Hospital, 400 SW 25th Avenue, Mineral Wells, TX 76067, 940-325-7891 • affiliated Urgent Care Center at 202 SW 25th Avenue, Suite 200, 940-328-6521, Google Maps

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