Lake Mineral Wells State Park is known for Penitentiary Hollow, which is a rock climbing area. The park opened in 1981, after the closure of Fort Wolters.
Location
100 Park Road 71, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067
Cost
The entry fee for Lake Mineral Wells State Park is $7 per person over the age of 13. There is free admission for people ages 12 and under.
There are additional fees for overnight stays which vary depending on the type of lodging or campsite.
To save money when visiting Lake Mineral Wells State Park, I recommend looking at a Texas State Parks Pass. The pass costs $70 a year. The benefit of the pass is that it allows the pass holder, and any passengers in their vehicle to enter the park without paying the day use fee.
Reservations
Reservations can be made in advance online. Reservations can be made for campsites or for day use. Reservations should be made as soon as you know your plans.
This is a popular park that often reaches capacity, even for day use. If you do not have a reservation you may be turned away at the gate.
Staying at Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Campsites
Hike-in primitive campsites are $10 per night. The hike from the parking area to the campsite is 1.7 miles. The campsites do not have water, restrooms, or allow ground fires.
Campsites with water are $16 per night. These campsites have a picnic table, grill, fire ring, water, and a lantern post. There are bathrooms with showers in the vicinity.
Campsites with electricity are $24 – $30 per night. These campsites have a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and lantern post. There are hookups for electric and water. Bathrooms with showers are in the vicinity.
Equestrian campsites are $16 per night. These sites have a picnic table, a grill, fire ring, and lantern post. There is water, but no electricity.
Group Facilities
There is a group hall with a kitchen that is available to rent for the day. There is also the Lone Star Amphitheater which can be rented for the day.
Restrooms in Lake Mineral Wells State Park
There are bathrooms provided throughout the park. Restrooms in the camping loops have showers. There are also restrooms near the picnic area by the lake and near the rock climbing area.
Hiking Trails
There are many trails in the park. Some of the trails are hiking only, and some of them are multiuse trails for biking and horseback riding as well.
In addition to hiking trails in the park, there is also the Mineral Wells Trailway. The trailway is twenty miles long and made from a former railroad track. There are several bridges on the trail, including one that is five hundred feet long and goes over US 180.
What is there to do at Lake Mineral Wells State Park?
You can fish in Lake Mineral Wells. Fishing licenses are not required for fishing from the shores of a state park. There are six fishing piers.
Swimming is allowed in Lake Mineral Wells. There is a dedicated swimming area, but dogs are not allowed.
The park offers a variety of types of boats including kayaks and paddle boards for rent.
On the trailway you can hike, ride your horse, or ride your bike. It is twenty miles long.
Go rock climbing in Penitentiary Hollow. There is an additional fee of $5 for climbing and climbers must check in.
Dogs at Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park allows dogs into the park. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas of the park including on hiking trails. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, including cabins and bathrooms. Dogs are not allowed in the dedicated swimming area in the lake.
What to do near Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Mineral Wells, Texas
Mineral Wells, Texas is 4.6 miles from the park. The city is named for the mineral wells in the area which caused it to be a popular tourist destination. There is a large abandoned health spa in the town called the Baker Hotel that is in the process of being renovated. Visit Mineral Wells Fossil Park or visit the Crazy Water Bath House and Spa.
Weatherford, Texas
Weatherford, Texas is 15.7 miles from the park. Weatherford is the county seat of Parker County, Texas and has a population of 33,700 people. Take a look at the historic courthouse or the Clark Gardens Botanical Park or the Museum of the Americas.