Texas Border Business
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the grand opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, the first new state park to open in nearly two decades. Located between Abilene and Dallas-Fort Worth, the new park offers more than 4,800 acres of land for Texans to explore and enjoy.
“The Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is one of the most majestic of them all,” said Governor Abbott. “Preserving our lands is crucial. It allows communities to reconnect with the land that made Texas, Texas. We are going to live up to our commitment to preserve our state parks so that future generations have access to the beauty of Texas that was originally seen by Sam Houston and Davy Crockett.”
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Governor Abbott reflected on his childhood experiences exploring the outdoors and traveling to state parks with his Boy Scout Troop. He noted the importance of preserving Texas’ natural landscapes and beautiful wildlife for future generations of Texans. The Governor also emphasized that state parks not only protect the land and wildlife that define Texas, but also serve as powerful economic engines that support a thriving tourism industry in local communities and allow Texans and out-of-state visitors to experience the majesty of Texas’ beautiful landscapes.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is expected to draw visitors from across the state and nation to one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. The new park offers Texans expanded opportunities for camping, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of Texas.
The opening of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park builds on Texas’ historic investment in outdoor recreation. In 2023, the Legislature passed and voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 14, creating the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which appropriated $1 billion to expand and improve state parks statewide.
The Governor was joined at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony by Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission Chairman-Emeritus Lee Bass, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Chairman Michael Greene, TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, and other state and local officials and outdoorsmen.
