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Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
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.
123 campsitesNorth Texas / DFW3 hr from Austin$7/person entrance feeFull Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway camping guide →
Short answer
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Mineral Wells are bookable today.
Getting a site at Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Sandstone cliffs and rail trails meet cedar cabins near the rugged western foothills.
See cabins & rentals near Mineral Wells →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
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
Campsite Types
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
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Sandstone cliffs and rail trails meet cedar cabins near the rugged western foothills.
See cabins & rentals near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
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. Sites start at $10/night plus a $7/person entrance fee.
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?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Mineral Wells is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
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 nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Mineral Wells are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Cabins & vacation rentals near Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Mineral Wells are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Mineral Wells →