Previous Back to the Gallery List Next

Image number: 445Image 1 of 16

Photo credit: Bill Greer

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park consists of almost 5,000 acres of former ranch land 80 miles west of Fort Worth. It was acquired with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy. So far the Texas State Legislature has not seen fit to fund development of the Park. Texas Parks has a backlog of $600 million for deferred maintenance at existing parks. The future Palo Pinto Mountains State Park remains completely undeveloped. This has left the rolling hills of Palo Pinto about as close to wilderness as you will find within a 2 hour drive from Dallas. Palo Pinto State Park is not yet open to the public. James Adams, Superintendant and the only full time staff, very kindly gave us permission for a beginner backpack trip in the park. We were the only people in the park. Jimmy Shipp, his part time assistant, met us Saturday and walked with us the 2 miles to our camp. This is our group, a good mix of veterans and beginners.