Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opened on March 1, 2026, on 4,871 acres of former ranchland about 75 miles west of Dallas–Fort Worth. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) counts 16 miles of multiuse trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. They wind past limestone cliffs, creek crossings, the 90-acre Tucker Lake and a rail line where you'll hear trains rolling by.
This guide covers every trail on TPWD's official trail list, ranked from easiest to hardest, so you can pick the right one for your group. If you're making a weekend of it, Mirador's Texas Shire Houses are about 24 road miles from park headquarters near Mingus.
The park at a glance
| 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 | $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers entry at 80+ state parks |
| Trails | 16 miles of multiuse trails; 1.25 miles accessible |
| Reservations | The park can reach capacity on weekends and holidays. TPWD recommends reserving a day pass online. |
| Phone | (254) 672-5684 |
Source: TPWD park page. Trails can close after wet weather, so call ahead if it has rained.
Every trail, ranked easiest to hardest
TPWD rates every trail on its list as either Easy or Moderate. None are rated Difficult. We've sorted them by TPWD's rating first and then by the time TPWD lists for each one. Distances and times come from the TPWD trails page.
| # | Trail | Distance | TPWD time | TPWD rating | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeshore Accessible Trail | 0.2 mi | 15 min | Easy | Accessible stroll, spring blooms |
| 2 | Connecting Trail | 0.5 mi | 20 min | Easy | Accessible link between day-use, camp and trailhead |
| 3 | Raptor Ridge Trail | 0.5 mi (1 mi round trip) | 30 min | Easy | Accessible overlooks |
| 4 | Buttonbush Trail | 0.7 mi (1.3 mi round trip) | 45 min | Easy | Lakeshore birding |
| 5 | Palo Pinto Creek Loop | 1.3 mi | 45 min from trailhead | Easy | Shade and creek crossings |
| 6 | Cross Timbers Trail | 2.0 mi one-way | 1 hr | Easy | A steady climb out of the creek |
| 7 | Ben's Trail | 0.8 mi | 30 min | Moderate | Short, with cliffside lake views |
| 8 | Tucker Lake Trail | 4.2 mi | 2 hr 30 min | Moderate | A half-day loop around the lake |
| 9 | Texas & Pacific Trail | 5.7 mi one-way (11 mi round trip) | 5 hr 30 min | Moderate | A full-day trek to the park's west end |
TPWD notes that its list may not include every trail in the park. Pick up a trail map at headquarters or download the TPWD trails map (PDF) before you go.
Easy and accessible trails
1. Lakeshore Accessible Trail (0.2 mi, about 15 minutes). The shortest trail in the park. It passes the historic remains of vacation cottages, and TPWD says the plants here bloom with vibrant colors in spring. No horses.
2. Connecting Trail (0.5 mi, about 20 minutes). An accessible path linking the Canyon View day-use area with Painted Stick Campground and the main trailhead. It's handy for getting from your car or campsite to the longer trails. No horses.
3. Raptor Ridge Trail (1 mi round trip, about 30 minutes). Our pick for a first visit. This accessible trail has overlooks, shady juniper trees and songbirds. The Russell Creek Overlook, where Russell Creek meets Tucker Lake, is on its edge. No horses.
TPWD says 1.25 miles of the park's trails are accessible. The park also lends all-terrain wheelchairs for some non-accessible trails. Contact the park to reserve one.
Easy trails with more to explore
4. Buttonbush Trail (1.3 mi round trip, about 45 minutes). It starts at Tucker Lake Dam and follows the shoreline down to a shady mesquite grove. Watch for waterfowl in the reeds and cattails.
5. Palo Pinto Creek Loop (1.3 mi, about 45 minutes from the trailhead). A well-shaded loop that crosses Palo Pinto Creek back and forth. TPWD's advice: "Prepare to get wet!" The low-water crossings dry up in summer and fill after rain, so use caution after storms.
6. Cross Timbers Trail (2 mi one-way, about 1 hour). It climbs from Russell Creek up to the main trailhead along the edge of Canyon View. Look for deer and woodpeckers. It's rated easy, but you're going uphill, so bring water.
Planning to make a weekend of it? A two-night stay means you can hike one morning and still have a whole day left.
Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses
Moderate trails
7. Ben's Trail (0.8 mi, about 30 minutes). Short, but rated moderate. It completes the lap of Tucker Lake along the cliffs of Russell Creek, with bird song echoing off the hills. The TPWD trail map marks it no horses.
8. Tucker Lake Trail (4.2 mi, about 2 hours 30 minutes). The park's signature half-day hike runs down, up and around the hills and limestone cliffs above Tucker Lake and Russell Creek. Look for the Limestone Sinkhole, a hidden limestone bowl right beside the trail. TPWD says to bring plenty of water.
9. Texas & Pacific Trail (5.7 mi one-way, 11 mi round trip, about 5 hours 30 minutes). The longest trail on the list. It descends from the Palo Pinto Creek canyon into prairies and tunnels of trees on the park's western stretches. Far out on the trail you'll find the Ragsdale Cabin, an old hunting cabin with a porch you can rest on. Start early and carry more water than you think you'll need.
Points of interest along the way
TPWD lists these stops (with 360° views on its trails page):
- Canyon View Overlook: rolling hills, sunsets and trains coming around the bend
- Russell Creek Overlook: on Raptor Ridge Trail
- Mesquite Grove: shade on the banks of Tucker Lake, at the end of Buttonbush Trail
- Limestone Sinkhole: next to Tucker Lake Trail
- Wildflower Prairie: colors that change through the year
- Rocky Bottom: shallow limestone pools where you can look for frogs
- Ragsdale Cabin: far west on the Texas & Pacific Trail
Trail tips from TPWD
- Water: Bring at least one quart per person per mile, plus extra for pets.
- Footing: Trails can be rocky. Watch for steep cliffs and bluffs, and use caution at low-water crossings, especially after rain.
- Trains: A rail line runs along the park's northern border. Watch from a distance. The tracks aren't park property, and going onto or under them is dangerous and illegal.
- Bikes: All listed trails are open to hiking and biking unless marked otherwise. Wear a helmet, and ask headquarters which trails fit your skill level.
- Horses: The 16 miles are multiuse, but the Connecting, Raptor Ridge, Lakeshore Accessible and Ben's trails are marked no horses.
- Pets: Keep pets leashed.
- Leave no trace: Pack out your trash, don't feed wildlife, and leave plants, animals and artifacts where you find them.
- Spring birds: Endangered golden-cheeked warblers nest here. Look for splashes of yellow in the oaks and junipers in spring.
- Alcohol: The park map says public consumption or display of alcohol is prohibited, so save the toast for later.
After the trail: stay nearby
TPWD lists campsites at the park, but no cabins or lodges. If you'd rather sleep under a roof, Mirador's Texas Shire is a small village of three hobbit-inspired houses near Mingus, about 24 road miles from park headquarters. Mapping estimates put the drive just under an hour, by way of I-20 and Strawn. Mirador sends exact directions before your stay. For a comparison of camping, I-20 hotels and the Texas Shire, see Where to Stay Near Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.
Every house has a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and fridge. The Baker and Writer also have ovens, and the Gardener has no oven. That's plenty for packing a trail lunch in the morning and cooking a simple dinner after the hike. Stays have a two-night minimum, which leaves you a full day for the park. Bring groceries, since there are few places to eat nearby. Mirador doesn't allow pets (service animals excepted), so if your dog is hiking with you, camping may suit you better.
Which house after a day on the trails?
- The Baker House (yellow door) sleeps up to five, with a queen bed, built-in bunks and a sleeping nook. It's the pick for a family of five. See The Baker House for a family of five.
- The Gardener House (green door) sleeps up to four, under a living roof with a garden out front. It has no oven, so plan on stovetop and air-fryer meals.
- The Writer House (blue door) sleeps up to four, with a queen bed, built-in bunks and an oven.
Make a loop of it with Thurber's smokestack and the W.K. Gordon Museum. Our guide to things to do near Mingus on a weekday has hours.
Plan your park weekend
Reserve your park day pass with TPWD, then pick your nights. Open dates and rates change, and 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
Want extras for the evening after your hike? Browse Mirador's Add-ons & Experiences, such as the Texas Snack Basket or the White Chicken Chili.
Sources (checked October 30, 2026)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (address, acreage, trails overview, accessibility, hours, entry fees, reservations, warblers), Trails Information (every trail's distance, time, rating and description, points of interest, safety and etiquette), Trails Map (PDF), Entrance Fees, news release, Feb. 25, 2026 (March 1 opening)
- Mirador: Texas Shire Houses, FAQ; house listings (capacity, pets)
- Drive estimate: OSRM routing, Texas Shire to park headquarters (about 24 miles, just under an hour)
Trail details, hours and fees are from TPWD as of October 30, 2026, and can change. Check TPWD before you go.