Contact Information
100 Park Road 71
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
940-328-1171
Lake Mineral Wells State Park, located east of Mineral Wells in Parker County,consists of 3282.5 acres, encompassing Lake Mineral Wells. The City of Mineral Wells donated 1095 land acres and the 646-acre lake to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1975. The U.S. Government transferred some of the remaining acreage from Fort Wolters Army Post to the State of Texas for use as parkland. The park was opened in July 1981.The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway is now open. The Grand Opening was held on June 6, 1998, National Trails Day, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of state parks. The trail begins northwest of Weatherford, in central Parker County and travels 20 miles westward to the downtown district of Mineral Wells in eastern Palo Pinto County. The Trailway is connected to Lake Mineral Wells State Park and has four (4) trail heads. They are located near Weatherford, in Garner, in the state park, and in downtown Mineral Wells. Self-pay stations are located at each trailhead or fees can be paid at the Lake Mineral Wells State Park headquarters.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is located along Rock Creek, a large tributary of the Brazos River. This area was an early home to several Native American tribes including the Comanche.
White settlers began arriving in the early 1850s, and intermittent warfare occurred until the late 1870s. Rugged terrain and lush native grasses attracted many early day ranchers to this area, including Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving and C. C. Slaughter, who ran large herds of Longhorn cattle. Ranching continues to be an economic mainstay of this area.
In 1877, James Alvis Lynch settled this area on the spot of land that is now Mineral Wells. In 1880, a well was drilled on the land. Mrs. Lynch suffered from rheumatism, but after drinking the water from the well, she was not bothered with rheumatism any more. The well water seemed to have "curative powers". This began Mineral Wells' tumultuous affair with water and quickly became a world renowned health resort. The purported curative effects of the local well water brought people from all walks of life to bath and take "the cure."
The city of Mineral Wells became too large for Lake Pinto, the town water supply, so in the late 1910's plans were laid for another lake East of town. In 1922 Lake Mineral Wells was completed.
World War II demanded an increase in activities at Fort Wolters, a military base located adjacent to the lake. This, coupled with the growth of the city of Mineral Wells, required the city to raise the height of the dam and thereby, increasing the water supply in the lake.
In 1963 the city of Mineral Wells found a better water supply and ceased using Lake Mineral Wells as the main city water supply.
In 1975, after the closer of Fort Wolters, the city of Mineral Wells and Fort Wolters donated the lake and acreage around the lake to the Texas Parks and Wildlife. On July 1, 1981 Lake Mineral Wells was opened as Lake Mineral Wells State Park.
In 1899, the WMW & NW handled over 33,000 passengers, most of which were headed to Mineral Wells to take advantage of the town's "healing water," mineral baths, and resort climate. The financial panic of 1903 put an end to elaborate expansion plans, and the majority of the WMW & NW stock was acquired by well-known railroad magnate and financial manipulator, Jay Gould. Shortly thereafter, the Texas & Pacific Railway Company took control. The T&P Railway (as it became known) was merged with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1976 and was then succeeded by the present day Union Pacific Railroad in 1983. The City of Mineral Wells purchased the line in 1989, renamed it the Mineral Wells and Eastern and operated it as a freight hauler until the spring of 1992 when it was judged to be uneconomical to operate and abandonment was authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission in October 1992.
The combined opportunities provided by both Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway are vast and diverse.
Lake Mineral Wells provides a variety of water sports including, swimming, fishing and boating. Moreover, the lake's surrounding area provides access for camping, hiking and rock climbing. Whereas the Trailway provides opportunities for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. Since the
Trailway is located on a railroad bed, the grades are very flat and curves are very gentle, making it popular for trail users of all ages and abilities.
The Trailway provides a diverse experience for the trail user as it winds gently through remote farm and ranch lands and ends in a typical downtown district of an active West Texas community. The rolling hills are abundant with wildlife and a variety of bird life. Spring and fall offer trail users a vivid panorama of colors from the many varieties of trees and flowers that dot the Trailway.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is located in the Western Cross - Timbers of Texas, which supports such plant life as: Post Oak, Live Oak, Blackjack Oak, Box Elder, Sumac, Ash Juniper, Mesquite, Pecan, Walnut, Mulberry, Texas Ash, Wild Plum, Willow, Cedar Elm, American Elm, Hackberry, Milkweed, Engelmann Daisy,Sunflower, Coreopsis, Indian Blanket, Mexican Hat, Golden Rod, Spiderwort, Morning-glory, Bluebonnet, Wild Onion, Yucca, Prickly Poppy, Standing Cypress, Indian Paintbrush, Prickly Pear, Horsecrippler cactus, LaceCactus, Maiden Hair Fern.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway has a wonderful wildflower display. The peak blooming time is usually from mid April to mid May. The park & trailway feature wildflowers typical to the Western Cross-timbers Vegetation Zone of Texas. Some of the best places to view the wildflowers in the park are along the roadway, the Cross - Timbers Hike/Bike/Equestrian Trail, and the State Trailway.
Wildlife observation includes white-tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, waterfowl, squirrels, and a variety of songbirds. Popular fish include bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill and sunfish.
Recreational opportunities offered by the Lake Mineral Wells State Parks and Trailway includes camping, lake swimming (unsupervised); fishing; boating (boat, canoe, paddleboat rental - no skiing, jet skis, or tubing permitted); rock climbing (climbers and rappelers must check in at headquarters); mountain biking; equestrian camping, horseback riding; and hiking.
Located at an elevation between 718 feet and 1235 feet, the State Park has an average July high temperature of 98 degrees. In January the average low low temperature is 32 degrees. April/May are wettest months. The First/last freeze is usually around November 15/ March 20. Current weather conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
