The hidden GEM
If you’re like me, you love all outdoor activities. If you have a family enjoying some outdoor activities can be hard to fine in one place. Well let me tell you about a little gem hidden in a small town in Texas. Mineral Wells has a population of 15,130 and growing. This town offers allot of history like most towns in Texas. This town has all the amenities one would need with a state park that allows you and your family to escape it all.
On the eastern edge of town, Texas state has put in a beautiful state park. This park offers allot of activity wrapped up in a small package. The day rate entrée fees are $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Please check Texas parks website for camping fees and availability these change from time to time. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-mineral-wells/fees-facilities/campsites
” Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway sits in the heart of cattle country, near what was once a popular health resort. You will love the area’s history and scenery, but you’ll also enjoy the park’s outdoor amenities: a lake, a rock-climbing area, and miles of trails. We are just 45 minutes west of Fort Worth – c’mon over!”
With a great road infrastructure along with trails. Every level of hiking and biking can be had. The paved roadways are great for families of all ages and all skill level of biking. The hiking trails can be strenuous for some due to the topography. This area is set on steep sided hills with flat tops. There are some gradual sloping areas that offer a smother journey for those of less experience or younger people.
Happy Camper
There are 108 sites with options for primitive hike in camp sites see front office for details.
Campsites with Electricity (50-amp)
- People per Site: 8
- Number of Sites: 47
Sites #12-58 In the Live Oak Camping Area. Sites #48 and 54 are wheelchair accessible.
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water
- 50 amp hookup
- Lantern post
- Restrooms nearby
- Showers nearby
Campsites with Electricity (30-amp)
- People per Site: 8
- Number of Sites: 30
Sites #59-88 In the Plateau Camping Area. Site #86 is wheelchair accessible.
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water
- 30 amp hookup
- Lantern post
- Restrooms with showers nearby
- Number of Sites: 11
Sites #1-11 In the Post Oak Camping Area. Site #11 is wheelchair accessible.
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water
- Lantern post
- Restrooms nearby
Campsites with Water (Equestrian)
- People per Site: 4
- Number of Sites: 20
Sites #89-108 in the Cross Timbers Camping Area. Non-equestrian tent camping and small trailers (20 feet or less) are also allowed in these sites. Sites have pull-off parking; they do not have electricity. Maximum combination of people and/or horses is eight per site. Be prepared to use a “string line” to secure horses; do not tie horses to trees or shrubs. You must dispose of manure and waste hay. All horses need a negative Coggins test less than 12 months old.
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water
- Lantern post
- Pull-off parking
- Max one truck/trailer combo
- Restrooms with showers nearby
- People per Site: 4
- Miles to Facility: 1.7
It’s about a 2-mile hike to campgrounds. These sites do not have water, restrooms nearby, fire rings or grills. Sites are only reservable at park headquarters. You must arrive during office hours and at least two hours before dusk to purchase a permit.
- Ground fires prohibited
Lake Life
This park also includes Lake Mineral Wells. This 440-acre lake with a max depth of 30 has allot of opportunity for outdoorsman and water enthusiast alike. Located at the dam the park store offers kayak and canoe rentals. The store offers many other supplies and souvenirs alike. The boat ramp is available for those who have larger vessels. There is also a large swimming area and sandy beach for all to enjoy and cool off from the Texas heat.
The angling opportunity is high. This lake has a diversity of structure that is great for fish habitat and growth. The front half offers a step stepped contour shoreline with rock, wood, and grass. The back half of the lake is flatter and shallow with submergent vegetation. The back half also has allot of tall bullrush grass. The river connected to the shallow half of the lake produces a muddy murky water full of turtles and waterfowl. These shallows also are home to many shore birds, great blue herrings, and white egrets.
The predominant fish species are Largemouth bass, Channel Catfish, and Crappie. The parks and wildlife division has put several fishing docks in in various spots along the lake. On top of great access, the artificial habitat has greatly increased angling opportunity.
Artificial lures and live bait can be used to target these fish species. The park store offers a decent variety of lures and baits incase you need some. In my multiple trips to this great state park, I have found that soft plastic worms, creature baits, and swim baits work great for the largemouth bass. A bobber and night crawler will produce small bluegill and crappie for the young angler keeping them engaged and having fun with the abundance of these panfish.
Giddy up little Doggie
This park is equine friendly with designated camp sites and trails for our friends with large four-legged friends. This is unique for a park to offer horse trails. I am not a horse guy, but I do enjoy the added ambience of this rustic and modern pastime. Please remember that these 1200-pound animals can be skittish. Please keep pets on leash it is the law. Kids are very inquisitive so make sure they are not running up and startling the horses they encounter. Always keep distance and communicate with the owners and riders about getting close and petting. Horses like humans all have different personalities some are nice and well some are not nice.
If you liked this article and want to see more like this and on various other topics please visit my website at https://fowlerscorners.com/ . if you are on a long trip or need some back ground noise check out my blog where we cover hunting and fishing at https://open.spotify.com/show/6mVM62dp3PDydPjTjr0Wty . Please provide any fed back all comments welcomed. You can reach me by email on my contact page of the website. Thank you again for reading.