Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a typical CCC-era park, is well-maintained, and the Rangers are all wonderful folks. My suspicion is that this park is a magnet for mosquitoes in warmer weather, as the edge of the lake is marshland. I stayed here in winter, so my visit was quiet, relaxing, and the night sky - the park being well-removed from any city lights - was spectacular. If I ever stay over in Summer, I’ll update this review regarding my suspicions...

First, let me make this very clear. Whoever quoted the price of $12 must have been drunk. The price is $24 but you have to add to that $7 per person state fee. The total for one night was $38. If it wasn’t for the per person state free, I would have given this campground five stars because it is very peaceful, very quiet and clean. A very busy state park and we lucked out with getting one of two available sites without making a reservation. If we made the reservation online, there probably would have been a reservation fee on top of the $38.

We reserved a site in the equestrian area, which is legit, as that was all that was open through the weekend. Worked out well for our set-up. Each site has water and large pullout for parking. Bathrooms and showers were very good. The Cross Timbers trail system was fun to explore and we did a couple days of rock climbing in the Penitentiary Hollow area. This little state park has a lot to offer.

Entrance is a couple miles outside if town. There is a gate which is locked from 10:00PM to 6:00AM but they will give you a code to use in case you need to come or go while it is locked.
Be prepared to drive through a long low-water crossing to get to the campgrounds. It will most likely have some water going over the dam, depending on recent rainfall.
Utilities worked well, but water pressure is 90 PSI, so bring your regulator!
Many sites are not level, so bring your leveling blocks!
Showers in the Live Oak campground were rather dingy and had no place to put your belongings other than on the wet floor!
Groceries and restaurants a couple miles away in town.
Most campsites have good privacy with vegetation between sites. It was nice and quiet while we were there. Lots of deer wandering throughout the park. We heard coyotes and owls every evening.
There is lots to do in this park including hiking, biking, fishing, boating, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Red and blue trails are scenic but also fairly rugged. Be sure to check out Penitentiary Hollow, it is very scenic.

We spent 3 days and 2 night here in our A-frame trailer. The park is great. There are trails to explore and lots of fishing. Most of the sites are not too close together and have shade (important in Texas!)
There are restrooms and showers in each campsite loop. Sites do not have sewer hookups but there is a centrally located dump station.
There is a well stocked camp store near a swimming beach and boat ramp.
I guess the worst? part of our stay was the lack of cell signal and wifi.You could drive to areas and get a cell signal but we found no useful wifi. There is an daily entry fee in addition to the nightly site rate. If you purchase the annual pass the entry fee is waived.

Dear would almost come right up to your campsite. Beautiful trails. The gorge and rocks are amazing. Its very quiet and clean. Each site had a pad with hookups a picnic table and a fire ring. We were right on the water. Very private, each camp site is almost hidden from the next. Extremely clean and well taken care of. I can not wait to go back I loved it.

My friend and I camped one night but packed in a lot of experiences. Just getting to the site involved the thrill of crossing the spillway with water lapping over the edge. It made me giddy but was fun to be at eye level with the passing coots. The camp store is worth a stop as it was CCC made, which I always enjoy. We camped in the smaller Plateau Loop, on a Sunday night, and it was nice and quiet. We walked to Penitentiary Hollow, a rocky crevasse bustling with rappellers and hikers. It is a beautiful formation, but I wish I had brought my stick and was glad for my hiking boots. Then we walked a few miles of the 15+ trailway which was much easier. The next day we went to the bird-blinds, which the second one is in an old concrete tank and makes a nice spot to just enjoy the lake from. We left the park and visited the nearby Crazy Water outlet in town, great history and quaint and interesting. I want to return and soak in their mineral baths. And all this just 80 miles from Dallas!