Lake Mineral Wells

If you’re ever passing through the Lone Star state, don’t miss this Texan favorite. Lake Mineral Wells is located in–surprise–Mineral Wells, Texas, just west of Fort Worth. The park is described as not only gorgeous and scenic, but also great for the whole family, too.

The biggest attraction to this park, besides the lake from which its namesake comes, is that the space here is perfect for camping and extended hikes. The lake provides visitors a refreshing opportunity to cool off, as swimming is one of the most popular recreational activities here. Fishermen and women will be rewarded with an abundance of crawfish and bass, another reason this destination is a local favorite. On top of that, Penitentiary Hollow in the park is one of the few places in Northern Texas where one can try their hand at climbing natural rock formations.

Visitors at Lake Mineral Wells also have a variety of picturesque trails to choose from. Trails here are known to be so scenic you’ll have to fight the urge to stop for a photo op every few moments. It’s easy to imagine why, too! Just picture yourself following one of the trails that leads down to the lake: to your left you see a turtle happily sunbathing on a boulder, while wild deer and scavenging squirrels look for something to munch on to your right.

In total there are over 31 miles of trails you can hike or bike on, and 25 of those allow you to explore on horseback. If you do bring your horse with you, equestrian campsites are available at the same rate as primitive campsites, $14 per person per day. These campsites are first come, first serve however, so you may want to come prepared if you’re planning a weekend trip. However other campsites, including ones with water and electricity hookups, start at $26 and accept reservations.

Screened shelters and group accommodations are also offered here, but visitors should also be aware that an entrance fee of $7 per adult per day applies to all types of accommodations in the park.