My birthday was a few days ago, so I went hiking to Penitentiary Hollow at Lake Mineral Wells State Park in Mineral Wells, Texas. Now that’s a socially-distant way to celebrate! Penitentiary Hollow can be accessed directly by car, or by hiking the Red Waterfront Trail. Of course I chose the trail, and the views did not disappoint!
You can access the Red Waterfront Trail (also referred to as the Penitentiary Hollow Trail) from a parking area near the Lone Star Amphitheater parking lot. (Look for the signage across from one of the restrooms – it’s not immediately visible when driving past.)
Considering that I was hiking shortly after the trees had shed their leaves, you can imagine that the trail wasn’t always easy to see. While there are red markers along the way, be sure to bring a map and/or GPS with you. (Ok, ok…yes, I’m saying this because I did get lost briefly on the hike back to my car.)
The hike from the parking lot to the shoreline is rather steep at times. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and consider a hiking stick or poles. Once you reach the shore, the trail sticks fairly close to the water, offering various views of the lake. There are also a couple of docks along the trail, for the fishing folks out there.
As you approach the end of the trail you’ll start heading back up the hillside towards Penitentiary Hollow. This part of the park is filled with tall and unusual sandstone formations, and can even be used by rock climbers. I stuck to just wandering around the area, checking out the crevices and other interesting angles.
At the very top of Penitentiary Hollow, you can climb a steep stone staircase to access the viewing area on top. (This area is also accessible from the parking lot next to the Hollow, if you’re short on time or not interested in the hike.) With these kind of views, I’m glad I saved my first hiking trip to Penitentiary Hollow for my birthday!
Today’s hike count: 129.
AllTrails difficulty rating: moderate.
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