Entry No. 49 — the Dallas file — filed under: rock-climbing
Penitentiary Hollow, Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Penitentiary Hollow is a labyrinthine maze of 20–40-foot sandstone conglomerate cliffs tucked inside Lake Mineral Wells State Park — one of the only designated public rock-climbing and rappelling areas in North Texas. The narrow, shadowed crevices earned the hollow its name from local lore about the rock walls serving as a natural lockup, and today the site hosts 70-plus routes ranging from beginner-friendly 5.6s to technical 5.11s.
The move: Hire Rock-About Climbing Adventures (the park's approved guide service) for a half-day intro session: one of you belays while the other works the sandstone face routes, then swap, finish by scrambling through the narrow slot passages at the base of the hollow, and cool down with a picnic on the lakeshore trail back to the car.
📍 Before you go It sits inside Lake Mineral Wells State Park, roughly 45 minutes west of Fort Worth, so plan it as a half-day trip from Dallas. You'll pay park entry, then register and sign the climbing waiver at park headquarters — required on every visit before anyone touches the rock. The trailhead is easy to miss: head past the dam, turn east, and follow the road to its end, where the hollow's trail starts at the far side of the lot. No free-soloing or bouldering is allowed, and the climbing area shuts at sundown and during wet weather, so aim for a dry morning. Check for seasonal area closures before driving out, bring plenty of water, and pair it with the lakeshore trails or a swim.
- 📍 Mineral Wells
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 100 Park Rd 71, Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: tpwd.texas.gov · mountainproject.com · alltrails.com
last checked: 2026-06-07