Lake Mineral Wells State Park features specially designated equestrian camping areas located 30 miles east of Palo Pinto, Texas. The park sits at an elevation of 920 feet in the Western Cross Timbers region, characterized by post oak savanna vegetation and limestone outcroppings. Winter temperatures range from 33-57°F with summer highs reaching 95°F, creating variable trail conditions that affect horse camping accessibility throughout the year.
What to do
Rock climbing areas: Penitentiary Hollow at Cross Timbers — Lake Mineral Wells State Park offers beginner-level climbing routes with unique rock formations. "There is rock climbing and a small swim beach on the other side of the lake and lots of places to go fishing. The trails are very rocky and not always easy to navigate, but there is so much there to explore," notes Alejandro G.
Wildlife viewing: The secluded areas around Lake Godstone provide excellent opportunities for deer watching. "Easy access to the docks and to deer blinds to watch the deer come out (no hunting). Carol, one of the ranch managers, gave us a grand tour of the property," writes LaRee S. The quiet environment also attracts diverse wildlife: "Stars are bright out here. Coyotes sang us to sleep."
Fishing spots: Many horse campgrounds near Palo Pinto offer fishing opportunities on nearby lakes. At Possum Kingdom State Park, anglers find productive spots with dedicated cleaning stations. "Although I don't fish according to our neighbors it is a good fishing spot. Saw lots of people cleaning fish at the designated fish cleaning spots," reports Stephanie T.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Several equestrian campgrounds feature swimming spots where horses can cool off after trail rides. Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground offers unique swimming holes along its trails. "This place is awesome. One of the best natural swimming holes I've found near DFW. There are dinosaur fossils everywhere. hiking is great, and even on a hot summer day you can go swim in the river or the blue hole," Julie W. mentions.
Trailhead accessibility: The Lake Mineral Wells Trailway connects directly to Plateau — Lake Mineral Wells State Park, providing flat terrain suitable for both riders and horses. "I rode the trailway out to the Garner Store and Cafe on FM113, but was disappointed to find that they are closed on Sundays. The trailway between the State Park and the Garner way point is an easy crushed gravel ride, except for the trailhead from the park," shares Susan L.
Overnight camping privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites in equestrian camping areas. "We stayed in the Plateau this trip and was lakeside. One thing I really enjoyed about this site was the breeze off the lake. It kept a hot July weekend comfortable when sitting outside at the campsite and also seemed to keep the bugs at bay," notes Susan L.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels can affect trail accessibility at horse campgrounds near Palo Pinto. "It had rained a lot before we got there and the lake was floating over the road by the dam drive over, it was rather scary. Lots of trails to walk in area, but because of this massive rain its not possible to walk over by the dam," reports Marianne M.
Rock hazards on trails: The Western Cross Timbers region features rocky terrain that requires careful navigation with horses. Kadyn D. warns about Penitentiary Hollow: "Great beginner level climbing in Penitentiary Hollow MUST HAVE 15-20 FOOT SLINGS ANCHORS ARE MILES APART!!! REI may not even have anything to accommodate."
Bathroom facilities vary: Some equestrian campgrounds have limited bathroom access in horse camping areas. At Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway, Ari A. notes: "There are no bathroom facilities in this loop, so be aware of that. There is a small dumpster available. The bathroom/shower facilities and dump station are down the road at the main campground."
Tips for camping with families
History activities: Several parks near Palo Pinto combine horse camping with historical sites. "If you have kids, the fort buildings are always a hit. They have restored the old hospital building & the officers' living quarters. Decent trail system for short or longer hikes," recommends Bill N. about Fort Richardson State Park.
Kid-friendly programs: Scheduled ranger events enhance family camping experiences at horse-friendly parks. Susan L. shares: "Lots of activities (there was a Scorpion hunt our first night - where they meet and use a black light to seek out the little monsters - but my son informed me that was a hard pass)."
Wildlife encounters: Children often enjoy spotting animals around Holiday Park Campground. "Lots of wildlife? There were dozens of deer out of all sizes. I came across 5 different groups of them as I was driving around taking in the entire campground. Of course, where there are deer there are ticks. Make sure to use insect repellent and give yourself a check," advises James S.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection: For RVers bringing horses, certain loops offer better access. "The sites are long and narrow without much space between them. Road nosie is noticeable during the day but quiet at night," notes Ari A. about the equestrian sites at Fort Richardson.
Leveling challenges: Some horse campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects RV setup. "I sprained my knee and ankle at this park because our site was so unlevel and the mud sunk our jacks a little. Our rig weighs 16,000lbs so the Class As should be careful," warns Laura H.
Water access planning: RVers should research water availability at equestrian sites. At Holiday Park, MickandKarla W. discovered: "For the intent of this review, we toured the campground specifically looking for free standing water spigots, but didn't find any. If you want to stay where we did in sites 72-75 they were definitely electric only, contrary to what other reviews mentioned. There were water spigots at the sites but they had been capped off."
