One of the prettiest state parks near the DFW Metroplex is Lake Mineral Wells. Located just northwest of Fort Worth, Texas, this park has everything we want in a state park: great sites, a wonderful swim area with a beach, and lots of nature to love.
The campsites at Lake Mineral Wells are big and shaded, a must in the Texas summer heat. Although none of the sites have full hookups, 47 are water and 50 amp, 30 are water and 30 amp, 20 are equestrian sites with water, 11 are sites with water, in addition to several that are a 2.2 mile hike to primitive sites. Fifteen sites have screened shelters.
CAM00790.jpg
The swim area at Lake Mineral Wells is one of the best we've found. First of all, it's huge. You aren't going to have to be near other swimmers. Water toys aren't a problem because there is lots of room. Also, a wonderful part of the swim area is the beach, an actual beach with sand. The park planners didn't skimp on this. All of this adds up to a great area to swim.
CAM00787.jpg
To add to the fun on the water, the park also rents flat bottom boats with trolling motors, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and rowboats. You aren't allow to water ski, use jet skis, or tubes.
Nature abounds at the park. In the middle of the summer, lots of deer roamed the park in the heat of the day. In addition to the deer in the park, you can find many songbirds, raccoons, and squirrels. Turkeys are even seen at the park, as are waterfowl.
Mineral Wells deer.jpg
For the more adventurous, Penitentiary Hollow is "one of the few natural rock climbing venues in North Texas."
Lake Mineral Wells has 12.8 miles of hiking trails. They range from easy to challenging. The Trailway is a 20 mile hike through the park and into the city of Mineral Wells. It and most of the trails are open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Finally, Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is a photographers dream. The pictures we took at the park were taken with our phones, and we've considered having some of them framed. We can only imagine what a real camera could do.
Mineral Wells.jpg
This quickly became a favorite State Park of the Two Tired Teachers.
Linear Mode
