What was once the location of a health resort is now a breathtaking state park. Perfectly situated between Possum Kingdom and Fort Worth, Mineral Wells is the perfect place to sneak off to relax and rejuvenate from the city’s hustle and bustle. From natural beauty to history, spending time on the lake to hiking the trails, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here are three reasons why your next camping trip should be at Mineral Wells State Park.
Regain Balance by Getting Back to Nature
There is something so peaceful about standing atop a scenic outlook and overlooking the state’s natural beauty. Mineral Wells State Park is known for its gorgeous rock formations, the abundance of wildlife, and lush greenery.
Whether you’re looking to spend a few days camping or just stopping in for the weekend, you’ll love walking the trails gazing up at the mesquite trees, standing incredibly still to catch a glimpse of the white-tailed deer, or watching the turkeys scatter in the fields.
Recreation at Mineral Wells State Park
Whether you prefer to stay dry on land or spend the day boating on the lake, when you spend time at Mineral Wells State Park, you don’t have to choose because you get to enjoy both.
Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders enjoy hitting the Trailway and getting back to nature. Built on a reclaimed railroad bed, the trails have flat grades and gentle curves, making them fun for enthusiasts of all ages. The Trailway is 20-miles long and goes over 16 bridges, including the signature bridge, which crosses U.S. Highway 180.
For those who prefer to spend time on the water, Lake Mineral Wells is a 640-acre lake and is perfect for leisurely boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or floating in a rowboat. Don’t have your own boat, no worries; you can rent one for the day.
Anglers love to get out on the lake and get their chance at catching catfish, crappie, sunfish, or largemouth bass. There are six fishing piers scattered around the lake, and the best part of all, you don’t need a fishing license to fish in the park.
What Mineral Wells State Park is well-known for is the chance to rock climb. Penitentiary Hollow, one of the few natural rock-climbing locations in Texas, is made up of sandstone rock and brings hundreds of visitors every year. Climbers must be over the age of 17 to participate or be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Camping at Mineral Wells State Park
It doesn’t matter if you glamp in an RV or kick-it old school in a tent; no matter how you like to camp, Mineral Wells State Park has a spot for you.
The Primitive Campsites are $10 per night and are not available to reserve ahead of time – so they are first-come, first-serve. To get to these sites, you’ll need to hike about 2.5 miles.
For $14 per night, you can stay at the campsites with water, picnic table, lantern post, grill, access to showers, and equestrian accessibility. These sites are a max of four people and four horses or up to eight people without horses.
If you require electricity, you can reserve a campsite that ranges from $24-$26 per night, depending on the amp hook-up. These sites also include picnic tables, grills, lantern posts, nearby showers, and restrooms.
Note: The only campsites that do not require a reservation are the primitive campsites.
Start Planning Your Trip
Are you ready to start planning your trip to Mineral Wells State Park? Be sure to check out details of the park on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Here you’ll be able to make reservations for the park, get additional information on the Trailways and rocking climbing, and access maps of the lake.