Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway, State park with lake and trailway in Parker County, Texas.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway covers 3,282.5 acres (1,328 ha) around Lake Mineral Wells in Palo Pinto County. It protects part of the Western Cross Timbers and includes Penitentiary Hollow, a small canyon-like geological feature used for top-rope climbing. The park has over 31 miles (50 km) of hiking trails, 25 miles (40 km) of which are open to bicycles and horses, plus campsites by the lake and on higher ground.
The park opened in 1981 under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Its trailway follows the former Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway, opened in 1891, merged into the Missouri Pacific in 1988, sold to the town of Mineral Wells and run as the Mineral Wells and Eastern until abandonment in 1992. Part of the park crosses the former Fort Wolters testing range.
The park sits on the former Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway line, opened in 1891 and abandoned in 1992. Its 31 miles of trails follow that rail bed, and part of the route crosses the old Fort Wolters military testing range.
The park has over 31 miles (50 km) of hiking trails, 25 miles (40 km) of which are open to bicycles and horses. Campsites sit by the small lake and on the higher ground of the park. Part of the park crosses the testing range of the former Fort Wolters Military Reservation.
Penitentiary Hollow is a small canyon-like geological feature inside the park, and the only climbing allowed there is top rope. The park also holds part of the former Fort Wolters Military Reservation testing range.
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