New Palo Pinto Mountains State Park to Open Sunday

Texas' first new state park in over 24 years offers 4,871 acres for hiking, camping, and exploration.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is opening the gates to the new Palo Pinto Mountains State Park on Sunday, March 1. This is the first state park to open in North Texas in more than 24 years, offering 4,871 acres of former ranch land for Texans to hike, bike, fish and explore.

Why it matters

The opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents a significant expansion of public land access in Texas, which Governor Greg Abbott has made a priority. The new park will provide much-needed outdoor recreation opportunities for families in the North Texas region.

The details

With the exception of a few areas still under construction, the park will largely be open to hiking, camping and general day use. The park offers visitors a chance to escape the bustling pace of the city into the juniper-topped hillsides and hardwood bottomlands of the Cross Timbers region.

  • The new Palo Pinto Mountains State Park will open on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • This is the first new state park to open in North Texas in more than 24 years.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas, who has made expanding public land access a priority.

Rodney Franklin

The director of Texas State Parks, who oversaw the opening of the new Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The state agency responsible for managing Texas' state parks and wildlife areas.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor (sanangelolive.com)

“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.”

— Rodney Franklin, Director of Texas State Parks (sanangelolive.com)

What’s next

The park will largely be open for hiking, camping, and general day use starting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, with a few areas still under construction.

The takeaway

The opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents a significant expansion of public land access in Texas, providing much-needed outdoor recreation opportunities for families in the North Texas region and showcasing the state's natural beauty.