Looking for fall foliage near Fort Worth? Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Texas' newest state park, sits about 75 miles west of Dallas–Fort Worth in the juniper-topped hills and hardwood bottomlands of the Cross Timbers. When Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) opened the park in March 2026, it said fall visitors "may be able to spot fall colors" from red oaks, flameleaf sumac, pecans and cedar elms.
This is a guide to seeing them: which trees to look for, when color typically shows up in North Texas, what to expect in a dry year like 2026, and how to turn a leaf-peeping day into a weekend. If you'd rather not drive home in the dark, Mirador's Texas Shire Houses are three storybook houses near Mingus, about 24 road miles from the park.
Before you go: On October 30, 2026, TPWD's park alert page said all trails were closed except the Texas & Pacific Trail, which was open to foot traffic only. Part of the Tucker Lake Trail near the dam was also closed for dam work. Trail status changes, so check that page or call the park at (254) 672-5684 the day you go.
What turns color at Palo Pinto Mountains
TPWD's opening announcement names four trees to watch for in the fall:
| Tree | Fall color (per TPWD) |
|---|---|
| Red oak | Crimson |
| Flameleaf sumac | Crimson |
| Pecan | Golden-yellow |
| Cedar elm | Golden-yellow |
Around them, the junipers on the hillsides stay green year-round, so expect patches of red and gold against evergreen hills rather than a whole hillside on fire. That's typical of North Texas. The Native Plant Society of Texas notes that the region's trees don't put on the broad show of more northern states. It lists Shumard red oak, prairie flameleaf sumac and cedar elm among the top native trees for fall color in North Texas.
When is fall color near Fort Worth?
Typical timing. The Native Plant Society of Texas says you can typically expect North Texas trees to change color from late October to mid-November. That means the window is open now.
This year's outlook. A Fort Worth Report story from October 7, 2026 cited the Farmers' Almanac forecast: color in North Texas is expected to be spotty this year after summer heat and drought. Any color that does appear is expected to peak between November 2 and November 11, and patches are more likely near rivers and other water.
Why it varies. The Texas A&M Forest Service says temperature, light and water control fall color. Cool (but above-freezing) nights and bright, sunny days favor reds, while several days of rainy or cloudy weather tend to dull them.
None of this guarantees color on a given weekend. Treat early to mid-November as your best bet, and go expecting a beautiful hike with some red and gold as a bonus.
Where to look in the park
TPWD doesn't publish a map of where each tree grows, so use these as places to start looking:
- Near the water. The park's 90-acre Tucker Lake and Palo Pinto Creek fit the "near water" advice above. The park describes its creek-side Palo Pinto Creek Loop as well shaded.
- The Texas & Pacific Trail. It was the one trail open on October 30. TPWD says it drops from the Palo Pinto Creek canyon "into prairies and tunnels of trees." It's 5.7 miles one-way (about 11 miles round trip), so you don't have to hike it all. Walk in for a while and turn around.
- Canyon View Overlook. TPWD lists it for rolling hills and sunsets.
- Wildflower Prairie. TPWD calls it "a sea of changing colors throughout the year."
For distances, difficulty ratings and every trail once they reopen, see our Palo Pinto Mountains State Park trail guide.
Want more than a day trip? With a two-night stay, you can pick the sunniest day for the park.
Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses
Plan your fall day at the park
| Address | 100 Park Road 77, Strawn, TX 76475 |
| Hours | Open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; office 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Entry | $7 a day for ages 13 and up; free for kids 12 and under |
| Annual pass | The $70 Texas State Parks Pass waives entry fees |
| Reservations | The park may reach capacity on weekends and holidays. TPWD says to reserve a day pass online to guarantee entry. |
| Drive | About 1½ hours from downtown Fort Worth and a little over 2 hours from downtown Dallas (mapping estimates, without traffic) |
Source: TPWD park page.
A few fall tips:
- Go early in the day. Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, so evenings get dark about an hour earlier.
- Bring water. TPWD recommends at least one quart per person per mile on the trails, even on cool days.
- Watch the weather. TPWD says trails can close in wet weather or poor conditions.
- Leave the leaves. TPWD's trail etiquette asks visitors to leave all plants in the park, so take photos, not branches.
The cozy night after
After a day outside on a cool November afternoon, this is the part to look forward to. The Texas Shire at Mirador is a small village of three hobbit-inspired houses built into the hills near Mingus. From the park, it's about 24 road miles, a drive mapping estimates put at just under an hour. Mirador sends exact directions before your stay.
What a fall evening there can look like:
- A warm dinner. The Baker has a full kitchen. The Gardener and Writer each have a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and fridge; the Writer also has an oven, and the Gardener has no oven. For a no-cook night, request the White Chicken Chili, a slow cooker of chili with toppings, from Mirador's Add-ons & Experiences.
- Settle in. Each house's booking listing includes a fireplace among its amenities. Add Movie Night (projector, screen and popcorn) or a Wine Tasting for two, ready in the house before you arrive.
- One more sunset. The Top Drive Cruise is a hosted, 60-minute sunset drive around the Mirador property.
Bring groceries. Mirador's FAQ points out that stores and restaurants are limited nearby, though Smokestack Restaurant is a local favorite. Pets aren't allowed (service animals excepted), so if your dog is hiking with you, a park campsite may suit you better.
Which Texas Shire house for a fall weekend?
- The Gardener House (green door) sleeps up to four, with a queen bed and built-in bunks under a grass-covered living roof, plus a garden out front. It has no oven, so plan on stovetop, air-fryer or slow-cooker meals. Read more in The Gardener House: A Hobbit-Inspired Stay Under a Living Roof.
- The Writer House (blue door) sleeps up to four, with a queen bed, built-in bunks and an oven for a roasted fall dinner. It's a good pick for a quiet weekend for two.
- The Baker House (yellow door) sleeps up to five, with a queen bed, bunks and a sleeping nook, plus a full kitchen. It's the one for a family of five.
Every stay has a two-night minimum. Use the extra day for nearby Thurber and the W.K. Gordon Museum. Our guide to things to do near Mingus on a weekday has the details. Comparing camping, hotels and the Texas Shire? See Where to Stay Near Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.
Book your fall weekend
Fall color doesn't last long, and open dates change. Reserve your park day pass with TPWD, then check which nights are open at the Baker, Gardener or Writer. The booking engine shows your full total, including fees, before you confirm. Read the payment and cancellation terms on the listing before you book.
Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses
Sources (checked October 31, 2026)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (location, hours, entry fees, reservations, wet-weather closures), Park Alert (trail closures as of Oct. 30, 2026), Trails Information (trail descriptions, points of interest, water guidance), Entrance Fees, news release, Feb. 25, 2026 (fall color trees, landscape, Tucker Lake)
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Autumn Colors
- Native Plant Society of Texas: Top 7 North Texas Native Trees for Fall Colors
- Fort Worth Report: How showy will North Texas fall foliage be? (Nicole Lopez, Oct. 7, 2026; Farmers' Almanac forecast)
- Mirador: Texas Shire Houses, FAQ, Add-ons & Experiences and house listings
- Drive estimates: OSRM routing to park headquarters
Fall color depends on the weather and is never guaranteed. Park hours, fees and trail status are from TPWD as of October 31, 2026, and can change, so check TPWD before you go. Photos show Mirador, not the state park.