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North Texas / DFW
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Mineral Wells, Texas · 123 campsites
Illustrative landscape
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a premier rock climbing and mountain biking destination west of Fort Worth. Penitentiary Hollow offers dramatic sandstone formations for climbing, while the 20-mile rail trail connects the park to Weatherford. The 646-acre lake provides fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Campsites
123 campsites
Region
North Texas / DFW
Guide rate from
$10/night*
Entrance
$7/person
Short answer
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation guidance · Checked 2026-09-07.
Compare your options
Campsite types
*Guide prices only. Confirm current rates when booking.
Water + Electric
$30/night*47 sites
Water, 50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$24/night*30 sites
Water, 30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$16/night*11 sites
Water, no electricTent OK
Water Only
$16/night*20 sites
Water, no electric (equestrian area; tents and trailers 20 ft or less allowed)Tent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$10/night*1 sites
No water, no facilities - pack in (about a 1.7-mile hike)Tent OK
Screened Shelter
$36/night*15 sites
Electricity, water nearby, restrooms and showers nearby
Book directly with the park
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Confirm current inventory, rates, fees, and seasonal details on the official booking site.
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Location & trip guide
Mineral Wells, Texas
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is in North Texas / DFW, about 3 hr from Austin. Use the official booking provider for current arrival directions and access details.
Get directions ↗Best campsites
For Families:Book a screened shelter or a water + electric site - both are close to restrooms and showers and easy to reach with kids
For Privacy:The primitive hike-in sites are roughly a 1.7-mile walk in and offer the most solitude (no water or facilities - pack everything in)
For RVs:Grab the 50-amp water + electric sites first - they have the best power for larger rigs and fill up fastest on weekends
When to Go
March through November. Spring and fall weekends sell out 2-3 months in advance due to DFW proximity.
Tips
- →Bring climbing gear for Penitentiary Hollow — it is spectacular
- →Ride the 20-mile rail trail to Weatherford for a unique bike experience
- →The lake beach is perfect for families with young kids
- →Book early for fall weekends — the foliage and weather draw big crowds
Highlights
Penitentiary Hollow rock climbing20-mile rail trail to WeatherfordMountain biking trails646-acre lake for swimming and fishingDramatic sandstone formationsCanoe and kayak rentals
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway — Frequently Asked
Is Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway hard to book?+
Yes. Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Spring and fall weekends sell out 2-3 months in advance due to DFW proximity. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
How many campsites does Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway have?+
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway has 123 campsites, including Water + Electric, Water Only, Primitive Hike-in, Screened Shelter. Published guide rates start at $10/night plus a $7/person entrance fee; confirm current rates when booking.
What is the entrance fee at Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway?+
The entrance fee at Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is $7 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway?+
Most Texas state park overnight camping and lodging reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Confirm the current reservation schedule for your accommodation and dates with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway?+
Cancellations at Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If campsites are full, check cabins and vacation rentals near Mineral Wells for your dates.