7 Texas State Parks Near Fort Worth (Around 1h Drive.)

Get your guide to seven Texas State Parks near Fort Worth that you can reach up to about 1-hour drive.

I enjoy hiking and camping and I’ve been to these seven state parks a lot of times. I went camping with my family and friends over the weekend, but I visited mostly with my dog for hiking during the week.

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When I wrote this article, I used Google Maps for driving directions and distances to find the middle point of the city. It showed the intersection of E 3rd St and 287 Bus as the starting point, near the City Center Fort Worth.

The park may be less or more than an hour’s drive, depending on where you live.

For example, I live in the south of Fort Worth. Cleburne State Park is less than 30 minutes and Dinosaur Valley is less than an hour’s drive from my house. Ray Roberts Lake State Park and Fort Richardson State Park? They are more than 1,5 hours drive.

Now let’s check out the state parks near Fort Worth Texas.

Texas State Parks near Fort Worth – around 1 hour drive

1. CEDAR HILL STATE PARK ~ +/-30 minutes drive to the east

It is the most visited because of its location within the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

Distance: 27.7 miles

Address: 1570 FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104.

Favorite things to do:

BIKING/HIKING

The DORBA (Dallas Off Road Biking Association) Trails at the end of the park are a favorite spot for bikers and hikers. It crisscrosses 1,200 acres divided into three distances: 3, 8, and 12 miles. All trails are a challenging difficulty.

In the spring, the trails are beautiful with bluebonnet blanketed the trails on both sides. The weekend after I hiked there with my dog, someone posted a picture of a rattlesnake. If you are afraid of snakes, don’t go by yourself.

Another trail that is worth a hike is Talala Trail. It is a moderate difficulty and you will walk on a prairie. If you want to hike on this trail, combine it with Plum Valley Trail and Duck Pond Trail. You will hike almost 4 miles. 

Unfortunately, trails are often closed during wet conditions. Don’t forget to check with the office before you reserve a day pass for any trail closures.

CAMPING

There are 350 developed campsites spread over four campgrounds. All sites have water and electricity, with 150 full hookup campsites. Several sites are ADA-accessible, plus some primitive sites.

I have camped at two of the campsites with the Cub Scouts. The first time was at Shady Ridge Camping Area. It is close to the highway, so I didn’t sleep well because of the constant traffic over the night. This campground is closed for renovations. The second time, we stayed at Hog Wallow Camping Area. There is only one shower/restroom facility for fifty campsites.

The campsites are close to each other. It’s better to stay there during the week when there aren’t many campers. 

FISHING

I fished from the boat ramp area with the Cub Scouts, but some people came with their boats to go fishing.

Remember that you don’t need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a state park. 

VISITING PENN FARM  

The Penn Farm Agricultural History Center is the most popular attraction for families in Cedar Ridge State Park. The Penn family lived and worked there for over a century. You can take a self-guided tour or call the park to arrange a guided tour for your family or school group.

2. CLEBURNE STATE PARK ~ +/- 50 minutes drive to the south

It is one of the most recommended state parks in North Texas by Texas hikers. My dog likes it here because the Park Ranger on duty always gives him a treat. 

Distance: 47 miles

Address: 5800 Park Rd 21, Cleburne, TX 76033.

Favorite things to do:

HIKING

Hiking to the Spillway is the most popular activity. If you like exploring the park on foot, you must also do the Fossil Ridge Trail and Camp Creek Loop. Then continue on Limestone Ridge Trail and Limestone Ridge Inner Loop Trail.

Spring is the best time for hiking when bluebonnets dot the trails. Check out White-tail Hollow Trail, Fossil Ridge Trail, Limestone Ridge Trail, and Coyote Run Nature Trail towards the scenic overlook.

Cleburne State Park is one of the Texas parks I visit frequently. I live less than thirty minutes away. I hiked here in the spring and when it was snowy in the winter, or when the big tree by the bridge changed colors in the falls and it was foggy in the morning.    

FISHING

Every time I went to the park I saw people fishing, either from the shore or from their boat. I don’t know what kind of fish you can find in Cedar Lake, though. 

Sometimes I saw people kayaking to the spillway.   

CAMPING

Only 58 campsites are available at Cleburne State Park. Each site has water and electricity and 27 sites are full hookups. All sites are shaded. The restroom and showers are within walking distance.

There are screened shelters and cabins for those who don’t like to sleep in a tent or don’t own an RV. The cabins have an A/C unit, heater, and bunk beds. You will share bathrooms with other campers. Dogs are not allowed.

3. LAKE MINERAL WELLS STATE PARK ~ +/- 50 min to the west

It is famous for natural rock climbing in North Texas. Camping, hiking, and fishing are some of the favorite things to do in the park. When visiting, don’t forget to join the park’s events.

Distance: 47.6 miles

Address: 100 Park Rd 71, Mineral Wells, TX 76067.

Favorite things to do:

CAMPING

There are four camping areas and all come with water. Two of them are campsites with electricity, and one is an equestrian campsite.

You can stay at one of their screened shelters if you are not a camper.

Or, stay at their Primitive Camping Area. It doesn’t come with water and electricity. 

We have camped several times in the water-only Post Oak Camping Area and water with electricity in the Live Oak Camping Area. 

There is no shower at Post Oak. You must drive or ride your bicycle to the other camping areas. 

The screened shelters and camping areas are by the water’s edge. It’s convenient because you can start hiking or leisurely walking along the lake from behind your campsite.

You don’t have to own a horse to stay at the equestrian sites. My son and his Boy Scouts stayed there before. They also spent weekends in the primitive camping areas where you have to walk to get there.

FISHING

We are not patient at fishing. My best one was a 5-inch sunfish, but our friend always brought us big largemouth basses from Lake Mineral Wells.

HIKING

A favorite trail in the park is the Red Waterfront Trail on the eastern edge that goes to Penitentiary Hollow.

The Blue Waterfront Trail is also lovely. It will take you walking along the western edge winding past the screened shelters and camping loops.

The Cross Timbers trails allow you to ride your bicycle and horse. 

ROCK CLIMBING

Penitentiary Hollow is one of the few natural rock climbing in North Texas. Check-in at the headquarters when planning to climb or rappel here.

For your safety, bouldering and free rock climbing are not allowed.

SWIMMING (SUMMERTIME)

It’s one of visitors’ favorite things to do in the summer, but drought season left a pathetic-looking beach. One time we swam during Mother’s Day weekend. 

KAYAKING/CANOEING

It’s something I want to try. You can rent a canoe or a kayak from the store, or bring yours.

4. RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK ~ +/- 1 hr to the north

Ray Roberts Lake State Park is big and has nine units that offer visitors unlimited water and land recreational facilities. Isle du Bois, Johnson Branch, and Jordan units offer recreation and overnight facilities. Greenbelt Corridor offers trails, fishing, and more. Buck Creek, Jordan, Sanger, Pond Creek, Elm Fork, and Pecan Creek have boat ramps.

Distance: 53.7 miles

Address: 100 P W 4137, Pilot Points, TX 76258.

Favorite things to do:

FISHING

Ray Roberts Lake is 29,000 acres. The park’s units include boat ramps, a marina, a fishing pier, and fish cleaning stations.

I don’t fish, but anglers caught largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, and catfish here.

You can fish from a fishing pier or the shore without a fishing license in a state park. You must have a license when fishing from a boat.

SWIMMING

Isle du Bois swimming area is spacious and has picnic tables, a playground on the shore, and a volleyball court. The fishing pier and boat ramp are nearby.

I haven’t been to Johnson Branch, so I can’t say anything about it. 

Some people go here for jet skiing, paddling, and windsurfing.

HIKING

I did Randy Bell’s Scenic Trail in Isle du Bois in the fall. It’s an easy 2.2-mile concrete trail, and I saw some colors along the way.

If you prefer a quiet trail, go to the Greenbelt Corridor. Whenever I went there, I saw fewer than five hikers. It’s about 11 miles from end to end.

The trails in the park are open for hikers, bikers, and horse riders. Look for the trail map.

CAMPING

You can choose one of the 115 campsites with electricity at the Isle du Bois unit or 104 at the Johnson Branch unit. Both units also offer primitive campsites.

There are equestrian campsites at the Isle du Bois unit.

If you don’t like camping, stay at Lone Star Lodge in the Jordan Unit. Rooms have bathrooms, televisions, telephones, and a choice of one king or two full beds. 

Unfortunately, we never got a chance to stay at the park until today.

5. DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK ~ +/- 1hr 10 min to the south

First-time visitors come to see the dinosaur tracks and do the mandatory hike. Repeat visitors still stop to see the tracks and explore more hiking trails. The park turned into a favorite water fun in the spring and summer.

Distance: 62.8 miles

Address: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043.

Favorite things to do:

LOOKING FOR DINOSAUR TRACKS

Without a doubt, the Main Track Site is where first-time visitors go to see the tracks. You have to cross the river to see them.

Unfortunately, the tracks are not visible when the Paluxy River is high and it is unpassable to cross it.

The Ballroom, the Blue Hole, and the Denio sites are other spots to see the dinosaur tracks.

During a long drought in 2022, a group of Paleontologists and volunteers found the longest dinosaur tracks ever recorded in the U.S. They named it the Lone Star Tracks. Unfortunately, some of the tracks were covered by mud after being underwater for two years until summer 2024. 

HIKING

I like hiking here during the week because there aren’t too many visitors like on the weekend. Overlook Trail, Limestone Ledge Trail, and Paluxy River Trail are some of the visitors’ favorites.

Most trails involve river crossing, so expect to get wet. The trails across the river also have some elevation. All, but the Limestone Ledge Trail, are open for bikers.

The horseshoe equestrian trail is open for hikers but not for bikers. It is my least favorite trail because it is full of horse buns. 

CAMPING

There are only 36 campsites with electricity and they fill up quickly! We haven’t got an opportunity to camp at the park yet.

Their group campsites are favorites for scouting or youth groups. It’s also hard to get in.

If you prefer a primitive campsite, you are most likely to get in, especially the hike-in ones.

6. LAKE WHITNEY STATE PARK ~ +/- 1hr 10 min drive to the south

Summer is the busiest time of year in the park. Visitors come to cool off from the Texas heat.

Distance: 70.9 miles

Address: 433 FM 1244, Whitney, TX 76692.

Favorite things to do:

WATER ACTIVITIES

Most people come to Lake Whitney for water fun, from fishing and swimming to boating and skiing.

I enjoyed walking on the beach and looking at the deep blue water from the shore.  

CAMPING

There are 43 full hookup campsites, 31 with electricity, and 63 campsites with water in the park. I don’t get it, there’s always an R (reserved) sign on most sites, but there were no campers there.

If you like swimming or playing in the water, try to get one of the 27 screened shelters or cabins. They are a walking distance to the beach.

HIKING/BIKING

There are two trails in the park. Both are easy and short. 

You can walk to the shore and the one at Towash Forest Trail had an incredible color. I hope it is still the same today.

7. FORT RICHARDSON STATE PARK & HISTORIC SITE ~ +/- 1hr 15 min to the northwest

Most people go here to see the fort. Then they found this small park a nice little getaway with deers munching on grass on the fort’s ground. The park has two sides, south and north, with the headquarters and the fort on the south side.   

Distance: 59.8 miles

Address: 228 Park Road 61, Jacksboro, TX 76458.

Favorite things to do:

VISITING THE HISTORIC FORT

Fort Richardson is one of the old forts built to protect settlers along the Texas frontier in the 1860s. 

Several original buildings still stand today. You can learn about the fort and the people who lived and worked there through a ranger-led program or a self-guided walking tour.

Check out the park’s event page for the programs around the fort. We had watched a POW-WOW in October and a WW II re-enactment in February.

CAMPING

There are cabins and campsites for visitors to choose from.

We had stayed at the cabins when they were screened in shelters.

Today, the cabins have heating, AC, and bunk beds to sleep five. You must bring your linens and pillows.

Tents and RVs are allowed outside. Dogs are not allowed inside.

It doesn’t have a bathroom, but shared bathrooms are within walking distance.

Campsites have on-site water access except for the overflow campsites. But water access is nearby.

There are water only and water and electric sites in the park.

Five of the campsites with electricity are equestrian campsites.

We enjoyed our stay at their full hookup site and campsite with electricity. 

Lost Creek separates the two main campsites on the park’s south side. There are easy hiking trails on both sides of the creek that you can easily access from the campsites. 

One time, we camped one weekend before Halloween. We didn’t know that people decorated their campsites and the local kids came for a treat-or-treating. It was a fun weekend! 

BIKING/HIKING

There are 12 miles of hiking trails in the park. 2.6 miles on the south side, 0.4 miles on the north side, and 9 miles of biking/hiking trail connecting the south and north sides.

All trails are easy except for the 9-mile one, the Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway. 

My son and I did the Lost Creek Reservoir Trail with bicycles. We are not bikers and learned how hard it was to pedal against the wind along the reservoir. It has up-and-down terrain, too, and crossing an old bridge. 

We like the Lost Creek Trail. I suggest you bring your bicycles and go on this trail. If you have a horse, you can also ride your horse on this trail. 

You can also ride your bike around the campsites and to the restrooms.

FISHING & SWIMMING

The park offers two lakes for you to fish. The Quarry Lake is behind the headquarters and the Jacksboro Lake is on the north side. You don’t need a fishing license to fish in Texas State Parks.

At Quarry Lake, you can only fish from the lake shore. You can launch your kayak on the north side. For this activity, you will need a fishing license.

What is the new state park near Fort Worth?

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park and it hasn’t opened yet. It is around 80 miles or 1h 20 minutes west of Fort Worth.

You will drive on I-20 W towards Abilene and turn to Strawn before you get to Eastland. The park will be about 7.5 miles from the highway exit.

State Parks near Fort Worth (up to a two-hour drive.)

1. MERIDIAN STATE PARK ~ +/- 1hr 30 min to the southwest

Distance: 74.7 miles

Address: 173 Park Rd 7, Meridian, TX 76665.

2. POSSUM KINGDOM STATE PARK ~ +/- 1hr 50 min to the west

Distance: 103 miles

Address: 3901 St Park Rd 33, Caddo, TX 76429.

3. LAKE TAWAKONI STATE PARK ~ +/- 1h 45 min to the east

Distance: 95.1 miles

Address: 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point, TX 75169.

4. PURTIS CREEK STATE PARK ~ +/- 1h 45 min to the east

Distance: 94.5 miles

Address: 14225 FM 316 N, Eustace, TX 75124.

5. FORT PARKER STATE PARK ~ +/- 1h 45 min to the south

Distance: 106 miles

Address: 194 Park Rd, Mexia, TX 76667.

6. EISENHOWER STATE PARK ~ +/- 1h 50 min to the north

Distance: 107 miles

Address: 50 Park Rd 20, Denison, TX 75020.

7. MOTHER NEFF STATE PARK ~ 1h 55 minutes to the south

Distance: 122 miles

Address: 1921 State Park Rd 14, Moody, TX 76557.

8. TYLER STATE PARK ~ +/- 2h 15 minutes to the east

Distance: 132 miles

Address: Tyler State Park Area 1 Bath House, 789 Park Rd 16, Tyler, TX 75706. 

Have you visited these Texas State Parks near Fort Worth? Let me know which one is your favorite.