Day Trips: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Strawn

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opened on March 1, giving visitors a chance to explore a large swath of the Cast Iron Forest. 

The first new state park in North Texas in more than 25 years, the 4,871-acre former ranch contains a rugged landscape that was so impenetrable that early settlers dubbed it “cast iron.” 

Officially known as the Cross Timbers, the area is a blend of woodlands and savannah cut with deep canyons that act as a scenic transition zone between the eastern forests and western grasslands. The ecosystem once covered more than 26,000 square miles stretching from southern Kansas into north central Texas. 

The Palo Pinto Mountains are a section of the Cross Timbers with cuesta-like hills identified by gentle slopes on one side and a steep slope on the other. Palo Pinto translates to “painted stick,” named after the junipers and post oaks.

The park has 16 miles of trails, most of them open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Surrounded by woodlands, the equestrian campground has all the amenities of the main campground plus two paddocks for horses at each of the 10 campsites. There are also two primitive campgrounds. Credit: GERALD E. McLEOD

The men and women of American YouthWorks Texas Conservation Corps blazed more than 16 miles of trails and three campgrounds through the park. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders share the rocky trails that wind through the diverse woodlands around the scenic 90-acre Tucker Lake. 

Built in 1937 as a water supply for Strawn, the lake is a popular fishing hole with a U-shaped pier near the boat ramp. Motorized watercraft are not allowed, contributing to the peacefulness of the park. The serenity is only broken by the occasional train passing on the north side of the park. 

There are only 35 campsites with water and electricity, but keep in mind that even non-horse owners can use the 10 spacious equestrian campsites. 

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is outside of Strawn, about 3.5 hours north of Austin. Campsites on weekends are already booked through July, but there are plenty of weekday openings. When visiting, save time to have a famous chicken-fried steak at Mary’s Cafe in Strawn.  

The men and women of American YouthWorks Texas Conservation Corps played a crucial role in developing Palo Pinto Mountains State Park including building the Russell Creek Overlook. Carved out of the thick forest the TxCC-built trails follow the ridgelines allowing for scenic views. Credit: GERALD E. McLEOD

1,804th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.

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