A Sneak Peek Into Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Trails.
On January 1, 2026, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opened its doors for the First Day Hike. It was not an opening day. It was a special event that allowed people to get a sneak peek of the park and celebrate the New Year for one day only.
Initially, it was for a Ranger-guided hike only. Later, the park offered a self-guided hike for people who got the day passes but missed the guided hike passes.
Disclaimer: Two Worlds Treasures contains affiliate links, meaning I receive commissions from purchases made through those links at no cost to you. Please read my Privacy Policy for more info.
I was one of the lucky people who could snap up the guided hike and day passes for my family. I just logged in to my Facebook when Palo Pinto Mountains State Park released their First Day Hike event about a minute before.
We ended up doing the ranger-guided and self-guided hikes.
Below, I share the hiking trails at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park with you, based on our first day hike in the park.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Trails.
In the park, there are nine hiking trails with difficulty ranging from easy to moderate.
1. Raptor Ridge Trail, 0.5 mile (1 mile round-trip), easy.
2. Connecting Trail, 0.5 mile, easy.
3. Tucker Lake Trail, 4.5 miles, moderate.
4. Cross Timbers Trail, 2 miles (one way), easy.
5. Ben’s Trail, 0.8 mile, moderate.
6. Lakeshore Accessible, 0.2 mile, easy.
7. Buttonbush Trail, 0.7 mile (1.4 miles round trip), easy.
8. Palo Pinto Creek Loop, 1.3 miles, easy.
9. Texas & Pacific Trail, 5.7 miles (11.4 miles round trip), moderate.
Check out this Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Map to give you a picture.
On the First Day Hike, only Palo Pinto Creek Loop and the Texas & Pacific Trails were not open for visitors.
We hiked the Tucker Lake Trail self-guided hike in the morning, and hiked through Ben’s Trail, Tucker Lake Trail, Cross Timbers Trail, and Lakeshore Accessible for the ranger-guided hike.
Let’s explore the trails with us.
Tucker Lake Trail, 4.5 miles, moderate.
As the name implies, the Tucker Lake Trail location is around Tucker Lake and Russell Creek. It treks down, up, and around the hills and limestone cliffs surrounding the lake and the creek.
We started the hike from the Crappie Cove Day Use area and went clockwise.
The trail started with the paved Lakeshore Accessible Trail for 0.2 miles. It is half-shaded with picnic tables put on both sides of the trail.
There’s an accessible fishing pier nearby. It’s still under construction, and it will be one of the best spots in the park to enjoy Tucker Lake.
The lake will be on the right, and the trees on the left.
Tucker Lake Trail begins after the end of Lakeshore Accessible Trail. It is a dirt and loose rock trail.
After the spillway, the trail continues on the dam. That morning, there was a yellow tape on the stairs to the dam, so we didn’t go that way.
We made a left and walked through the opening with Russell Creek Equestrian Campground coming on the right. After the campground, we turned right and made another right. Then hiked part of the Buttonbush Trail.
The Buttonbush Trail stays on the lakeshore while the Tucker Lake Trail goes left above the lakeshore.
On this side of the lake, the east side, the trail is up and down. There are interesting rock formations where you want to stop for pictures or take a rest.
You will hike over the bridge and see the fishing pier in the distance. From one viewpoint, you see Russell Creek meet Tucker Lake. It looks like a horseshoe. It’s so beautiful – my favorite overlook on the trail.
Then, you will hike along Russell Creek. There is a limestone sinkhole here, on the right side of the trail. I told my son there will be a ‘waterfall’ in the park if they get a lot of rain.
Before you know it, you will hike on the west side of the lake and get closer to the Main Trailhead.
We could turn right onto Ben’s Trail to get back to the Crappie Cove Day Use area, but we saved it for the guided hike.
From the Main Trailhead, we took the Connecting Trail and continued on the Park Road to the parking at the Crappie Cove.
Connecting Trail is a half-paved and half-dirt trail.
The Raptor Ridge Trail starts from the Main Trailhead. That’s where they did the easy guided hike on January 1.
We didn’t do the Raptor Ridge because we were so hungry and we didn’t want to be late for the guided hike.
Tucker Lake Trail is for hikers, bikers, and horse riders.
Ben’s Trail, 0.8 miles, moderate.
In the map, the park described Ben’s Trail as a moderate trail. However, the ranger said it’s the only challenging trail in the park.
The trail is up and down along the cliffs of Russel Creek and shaded. It reminded me of the Red Waterfront Trail in Lake Mineral Wells State Park. I say it’s a moderate trail.
Ben’s Trail offers lake views. There are spots where you can see people walking on the Tucker Lake Trail on the other side of Russell Creek.
In the spring, you may spot the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
A couple of park volunteers I met that day said Ben’s Trail is their favorite trail in the park.
It was the beginning of the challenging ranger-guided hike of the First Day Hike.
The trailhead is near the boat ramp. It connects to Tucker Lake Trail.
Ben’s Trail is for hikers, bikers, and horse riders.
Cross Timbers Trail, 2 miles one-way, easy.
It starts from the Main Trailhead, descending to the Russell Creek Equestrian Campground.
There’s an intersection that will take you to the Palo Pinto Creek Loop and the Texas and Pacific Trail.
I noticed some interesting rock formations along the trail. At one spot, we could see the Palo Pinto Creek below.
At the bottom, the trail crosses the park road and continues along the park boundary.
The Union Pacific Railroad is on the other side of the boundary. If you’re lucky, you will see the train crossing the bridge.
Then the trail crosses the park road again and continues to the end at the equestrian campground.
Cross Timbers Trail is for hikers, bikers, and horse riders.
Other Things to Do in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
The park will offer camping, fishing, stargazing, train watching, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.
On Tucker Lake, you’ll be able to fish, boat, swim, and birdwatch. Motorboats will not be allowed to protect the park’s tranquility.
Campsites will include RV sites, walk-in tent sites, a primitive camping area, and an equestrian campground.
There are picnic areas and playgrounds to provide gathering places for small and large groups.
Where Is Palo Pinto Mountains State Park?
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is located in Strawn, halfway between Fort Worth and Abilene.
This former ranch land is about 75 miles west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Address: 100 Park Road 77, Strawn, TX 764775.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is a beautiful park. It will be a favorite new state park for many visitors once it is officially open.
I can’t wait to park our teardrop trailer there and hike on the Texas and Pacific Trail and Palo Pinto Creek Loop. Of course, hike the trails we have already explored during First Day Hike.
Nearby State Parks, Historic Sites, and State Natural Areas.
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site
Lake Brownwood State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
You were so lucky to snap up the guided hike and day passes for your family! Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
I did, and we had wonderful times on our first day hike at Palo Pinto.
What a cool way to start the year. Getting early access with both the ranger-guided and self-guided hikes sounds special, and the trail variety looks great. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is definitely on my list now.
The first day hike sounds like a wonderful way to kick off the year. We’ve read about these, but have yet to try one, though we often do a ski or hike to ring in the new year. Hopefully this will inspire our start to 2027.
That’s good to hear!