Celebrate The New Year With Family At Palo Pinto Mountains

Every year, I remind myself, and anyone who will listen, that if you end the year doing something you love, and start the new year doing that same thing, then you'll keep doing it all year long.
For me, that means three things:

• A) spending more time in the great outdoors,
• B) getting my body moving, and
• C) making more memories with my family.

Lucky for us here in Texas, the folks at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
are making all of that easier to accomplish right from day one of the new year.

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A Rare Texas Sneak-A-Peek at the New Palo Pinto Mountains State Park

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Texas’ newest upcoming state park just west of Fort Worth, is opening its gates on New Year’s Day for a special “First Day Hike” sneak peek. Guided hikes will be led by park rangers, giving visitors an early look at this nearly finished 4,800-acre outdoor gem.

Rodney Franklin, Director of Texas State Parks, put it best: “We are so excited to show folks what makes Palo Pinto Mountains so special.” And he’s right, with its rugged rock formations, native wildlife, diverse habitats, and the stunning 90-acre Tucker Lake, this park has Texas beauty written all over it, in every inch of every acre.

Plan Your Texas First Day Hike

Since this is a preview event, day passes will be limited, and I highly recommend getting your passes early and now. Most parks across Texas will also host a "First Day Hikes" on January 1st, and many will cap admissions based on park capacities.

If you’re planning to start 2026 with a hike, bike ride, walk, or even a little fishing trip, you need to reserve your day pass for any Texas State Park "UP TO" 30 days in advance through the TPWD online reservation system.

A Texas Invitation

Whether your New Year’s goals include getting healthy, exploring the outdoors, or just spending more quality time with loved ones, this 'First Day Hike' is one beautiful way to start the year strong and keep that momentum going long after January 1st.

I'll see you on the hiking trail, y'all.

Read More: Texas Kids Rejoice: Fort Imagination Is Being Rebuilt