Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opened to visitors on March 1, 2026. It's the first new state park in North Texas in more than 25 years, with 4,871 acres of juniper-topped hills, creek canyons and the 90-acre Tucker Lake. It's about 75 miles west of the Dallas–Fort Worth area, so it's doable as a day trip. But between the drive, the trails and the night skies, many visitors would rather stay over.
Lodging right around the park is still limited. Here are your main options, including Mirador's Texas Shire Houses near Mingus, and how to choose.
The short answer
| Option | Best for | Distance to the park | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping in the park | Campers and RV travelers | On site | Campsites only; no cabins or lodges are listed |
| Hotels and motels along I-20 or in Mineral Wells | A simple overnight on a road trip | Roughly 20–40 miles | Ranger and Eastland are to the west; Mineral Wells is to the northeast |
| Mirador's Texas Shire Houses, near Mingus | Families, couples and anyone who wants the stay to be part of the trip | About 24 road miles | Three hobbit-inspired houses with kitchenettes; two-night minimum |
Staying in the park: camping only
Texas Parks and Wildlife lists campsites, equestrian sites and a group pavilion at Palo Pinto Mountains. It doesn't list cabins, lodges or other roofed lodging. Your choices:
- Campsites with electricity in the Warbler Ridge campground: 23 sites, up to eight people each, with water, 20/30/50-amp electric, a picnic table and a fire ring with grill. Restrooms with showers and a playground are nearby. $30 a night.
- Walk-in campsites with water in the Painted Stick area: 12 sites, up to six people each, with a vault toilet nearby. $15 a night.
- Hike-in primitive campsites: 13 sites, about a 2-mile hike in. There's no water and no campfires, though propane stoves are allowed. $12 a night.
All camping fees are in addition to the daily entrance fee. Reserve through Texas State Parks.
Hotels and motels along I-20
If you want walls and a bed, the closest conventional options are in the towns around the park. Ranger (about 18 road miles) and Eastland (about 27 miles) are west of the park along I-20. Mineral Wells (about 37 miles) is to the northeast, and Weatherford is farther east toward Fort Worth. You'll find chain hotels, small motels and RV parks. They're practical, but they won't feel like part of the trip.
A storybook house near Mingus
Mirador's Texas Shire is a small village of three hobbit-inspired houses on ranch land in the hills near Mingus. Each has a round door, an earth-covered roof and handcrafted, storybook details inside. It's the kind of place where the evening back at the house becomes as memorable as the hike.
The houses:
- The Baker House (yellow door) sleeps up to five, with a queen bed, built-in bunks and a sleeping nook. Here's how a family of five fits.
- The Gardener House (green door) sleeps up to four, with a queen bed and bunks, and a garden outside.
- The Writer House (blue door) sleeps up to four, with a queen bed and bunks.
Every house has a bathroom, Starlink Wi-Fi, air conditioning and heating, and a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and refrigerator. The Baker and Writer also have ovens, and the Gardener does not. A kitchenette matters out here: you can pack a trail lunch in the morning and cook a simple dinner when you get back. See how the three houses compare.
Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses
The drive to the park: It's about 24 road miles from the Texas Shire to park headquarters, by way of I-20 and Strawn. Mapping estimates put it at just under an hour, because the first couple of miles from the houses are slow country road. Mirador sends exact directions before your stay.
Good to know:
- Stays have a two-night minimum, which works well for one full park day.
- No pets are allowed at Mirador, except service animals. Leashed pets are welcome in most Texas state parks, so if your dog is coming, camping may suit you better.
- Check-in is at 3 p.m. and checkout is at 11 a.m., per the house listings.
Planning your park day
Hours and fees. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entry is $7 a day for visitors 13 and older, and children 12 and under are free. A $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers entry for a year at more than 80 parks.
Reserve a day pass. The park can reach capacity on weekends and holidays. TPWD recommends reserving online before you visit to make sure you can get in. A weekday visit is the easiest way to avoid the crowds.
Trails. There are 16 miles of multiuse trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and 1.25 miles are accessible. A few good picks:
- Raptor Ridge Trail: about 1 mile round trip, easy and accessible, with overlooks
- Ben's Trail: 0.8 miles, moderate, along the cliffs above Tucker Lake
- Tucker Lake Trail: 4.2 miles, moderate, about 2½ hours
- Texas & Pacific Trail: 11 miles round trip, for a long day
On the water. Tucker Lake has an accessible fishing pier and kayak/canoe launch. Motorboats aren't allowed, the park lends fishing gear, and you don't need a fishing license inside the park.
In the fall. TPWD notes that red oaks and flameleaf sumac turn crimson in the fall, while pecans and cedar elms turn gold.
Before you go. Trails can close after wet weather, so call the park at (254) 672-5684 if rain is in the forecast. Bring at least a quart of water per person per mile, as TPWD recommends.
For a full day out, pair the park with lunch in Strawn or the W.K. Gordon Museum in Thurber. Our weekday guide to things to do near Mingus has hours for each.
Find your dates
If you'd like your park trip to end somewhere a little more magical than a motel, start with the house that fits your group. Then check the live calendar, because dates and rates change. Read the payment and cancellation terms on the listing before you book.
See the Texas Shire Houses and check dates
Or go straight to a house: Baker · Gardener · Writer
Sources (checked October 28, 2026)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (hours, fees, address, capacity note, things to do), Campsites, Entrance fees, Trails, News release, Feb. 25, 2026 (opening, fall color)
- Texas State Parks reservations: Palo Pinto Mountains day entrance
- Mirador: Texas Shire Houses, FAQ; booking listings Baker, Gardener, Writer (check-in and checkout, pets, live calendar minimum stay)
- Distances: OSRM routing from the park headquarters (100 Park Road 77, Strawn) to the Mirador listing location and to the town centers of Ranger, Eastland and Mineral Wells
Park information is from TPWD on October 28, 2026, and can change. Confirm hours, fees and trail status with the park before you go.