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Parks & Trails

Two very different state parks within an easy drive — including Texas's newest.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

~40 min by car (near Strawn)

Texas's newest state park, opening across 2026 in the rugged Palo Pinto Mountains. At its heart is 90-acre Tucker Lake (built in 1937 for the town of Strawn's water), with fishing, paddling, and swimming — plus about 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding out to wide-open vistas.

•Brand new: access is phased through 2026. Check current status and reserve a day pass on the TPWD site before you drive out.
•Make a day of it — pair the park with lunch at Mary's Café in Strawn (legendary chicken-fried steak).

Reserve at Texas Parks & Wildlife ↗

Possum Kingdom State Park

~20 min by car (near Caddo)

Right on the lake — swimming beach, boat ramps, campsites and cabins, and three hiking trails threading past scenic overlooks. It's also home to the Official Texas Longhorn Herd.

•100+ campsites plus cabins; day passes for swimming and launching.
•Trails are short (longest ~1 mile) but the lake views are the payoff.
•Reserve day passes ahead on busy summer weekends.

Texas Parks & Wildlife ↗

Lake Mineral Wells State Park

~40 min by car

An easy day trip east: rock climbing and rappelling at Penitentiary Hollow, a long paved rail-trail for biking, and a pretty little lake for paddling.

Texas Parks & Wildlife ↗