Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailways offers many activities for the entire family, all year long!
Know Before You Go
A popular park, make reservations in advance.
Check with the park for burn bans.
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Camping
There are just under 100 campsites here, from primitive to RV pull thru with water/electric.
The park also has screened shelters. We love #3, which has a great fire ring and sits on rocks above the water!
Hiking
The Cross Timbers Trail is just under 10 miles and takes you along a variety of ecosystems, and past several buildings of old Fort Wolters. Take plenty of water for this easy but often unshaded hike.
Check with the park before heading out, the trail is closed when wet.
Right next to the Crosstimbers Trailhead is the trailhead to the Primitive Camping Area. This is one of my favorite shorter trails in the park, with great declines and inclines.
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Penitentiary Hollow Wild Walk
Each winter, the park offers Penitentiary Hollow Wild Walks through areas only accessible on guided hikes. Our family did one on January 1st, part of the 1st Day Hikes, and it was amazing! Not only did we hike up and down through rocky terrain, we also climbed over rocks, crawled under rocks in tight, dark places and even through some small crevices, such as The Squeeze, where only a few of the younger children could go all the way through. David Owens, the walk guide, was wonderful at reassuring you all along the way! It’s really something not to be missed!
Dressly warmly and be prepared to get dirty.
Good shoes with lots of traction are essential.
The rocks are sharp so wear a rugged glove.
A headlight is useful in one part, although not necessary.
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State Trailway
The multi-use State Trailways runs from Mineral Wells to Weatherford, about 20 miles in one direction.
The trailway is gravel, and it’s a harder and slower ride than a hard surface trail.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and an extra tube. I popped mine about 7 miles in, which was a lot better than 20, but still added significantly to my time on the trail. Always be over-prepared with water!
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Lake Mineral Wells is a 640 acre lake with a swimming beach and fishing pier. Rent flat bottom boats with trolling motors or kayaks/canoes.
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Rock Climbing in Penitentiary Hollow
One of the only public rock climbing locations in N. Texas, it can get quite busy on weekends, especially from fall to spring.
$3/person permit to rock climb at the park, plus park fees.
You must provide all your own gear.
Check in with the park before driving out, closed when the rocks are wet.
Things To Do in Mineral Wells
Play
Mineral Wells Fossil Park is a free park where the kids will love getting to keep all the fossils they can find! Click HERE to read more.
Clark Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden with a Weatherford address but located very close to LMWSP. Learn about the Historical Trees, trees that are 2nd descendants of famous trees. Kids will love the Train Garden! Click HERE for more information.
Visit Crazy Water, a health destination for 100 years, for a glass of Crazy Water #4, their strongest mineral water, or bring gallon container to fill up! Click HERE to visit their website.
Stay
Soak and stay at Crazy Water Bathhouse with mineral baths, massages and guest rooms! Click HERE to read more.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailways
100 Park Rd 71, Mineral Wells
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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