Cleburne State Park costs $6 for visitors 13 and older; children 12 and under enter free.
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For Cleburne State Park tickets, plan on a simple per-person day-use fee rather than a timed attraction ticket. The smart move is to reserve a day pass before busy spring and summer weekends, because the park often reaches capacity and advance passes guarantee entry when spots remain.
A day pass gets you into a compact North Texas park built around 116-acre Cedar Lake, nearly 13 miles of trails, swimming, fishing, paddling, mountain biking, picnicking, and Civilian Conservation Corps stonework. Camping, shelters, cabins, and group sites cost extra, and Texas Parks and Wildlife says daily entrance fees are charged in addition to facility fees unless a page says otherwise.
After checking the fee basics, compare current day-pass availability here:
How Much Do Cleburne State Park Tickets Cost?
Cleburne State Park entry costs $6 per day for each visitor age 13 or older, while children 12 and under enter free. School-sponsored groups need to contact the park rather than relying on the regular day-use price.
The price is per person, not per car. A family with two adults and two children under 13 would pay $12 for day entry, while four adults would pay $24 before any camping, shelter, rental, or group-facility charges.
The Texas State Parks Pass changes the math for repeat visitors. The annual pass costs $70 and covers entrance fees for the pass holder and guests at more than 80 Texas state parks, with added discounts on some camping, park-store purchases, and equipment rentals.
| Ticket Or Pass | What It Covers | Current Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adult day entry | Daily entrance for one visitor age 13 or older | $6 per person |
| Child day entry | Daily entrance for one visitor age 12 or under | Free |
| School-sponsored group | Group entry arranged directly with the park | Contact the park |
| Texas State Parks Pass | Entrance-fee coverage at 80-plus Texas state parks for one year | $70 per year |
| Texas Parklands Passport, age 65-plus | Discounted entry for eligible Texas residents | 50% off entry |
| Texas Parklands Passport, disability eligibility | Discounted entry for permanently disabled individuals | 50% off entry |
| Texas Parklands Passport, military eligibility | Free entry for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and Gold Star family members | Free, restrictions apply |
| Camping or facility reservation | Site, shelter, cabin, group hall, or group camp use | Facility fee plus daily entrance fee |
Cleburne State Park Entry Fees: What Each Option Covers
Cleburne State Park entry covers day access to the park, not every reservable facility or rental inside it. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists the current adult fee, child entry rule, annual-pass price, and discount-pass categories on the Cleburne State Park entrance-fee page.
A regular day pass is enough for a simple visit: walk the trails, swim in the lake when conditions allow, fish from the bank or pier, picnic, bike, paddle, or watch for wildlife. Texas state parks do not require a fishing license when fishing inside a state park, so a short fishing stop can fit neatly into a day visit.
A ticket does not turn a sold-out day into open access. Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends reserving day use before visiting because Cleburne State Park often reaches capacity, especially during spring and summer.
Extra costs can still appear inside the same trip:
- Camping and shelters: overnight sites, screened shelters, cabins, group halls, and group camps are separate reservations.
- Watercraft rentals: the park lists kayak and paddleboard rentals from a self-service kiosk at the Cedar Lodge day-use area, paid by credit card.
- Park-store items: ice, firewood, charcoal, snacks, and souvenirs are separate purchases.
- Group facilities: group halls and camps can require arrival coordination and deposits.
When Should You Reserve A Day Pass?
Cleburne State Park day passes are safest to reserve before weekends, holidays, and warm-weather lake days. The reservation system says day passes are available up to one month ahead and are valid until 10 p.m. unless the park closes earlier.
The gate is listed as open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Arriving early matters because the lake, shaded picnic spots, and trailhead parking become more competitive on busy days.
Buying ahead also helps if you are driving from Fort Worth, Dallas, Waco, or another North Texas city. The park is close enough for a day trip, but a full parking lot can turn a short outing into wasted drive time.
| Visit Situation | Capacity Risk | Smart Ticket Move |
|---|---|---|
| Spring weekend | High, with mild weather and wildflowers | Reserve as early as your date opens |
| Summer Saturday | High, especially for swimming and paddling | Reserve ahead and arrive before midday |
| Holiday weekend | Very high for day use and campsites | Reserve early or pick a weekday |
| Fall weekday | Lower, but school breaks can change demand | Check availability before driving |
| Winter weekday | Usually lower for day use | Same-day entry may work if passes remain |
| Camping trip | Separate site availability matters most | Reserve the site, then account for entry fees |
| Group gathering | Facility availability can be limited | Contact the park for group rules and timing |
What Your Ticket Lets You Do Inside The Park
A Cleburne State Park day pass is most useful for a half-day or full-day mix of lake time, trails, and picnic stops. Cedar Lake is the center of the park, with swimming, fishing, paddling, and no-wake boating.
Personal watercraft are not allowed because of the lake’s size, and boats are limited to no-wake speed. That makes the water better for kayaks, paddleboards, fishing boats, and slower family outings than for fast boating.
Trail users get a stronger return from the ticket when the weather is mild. The park has nearly 13 miles of trails, including a technical wooded mountain-bike loop and routes leading toward the hand-carved spillway, which is most dramatic after rain.
Entry tip: Bring water, sun protection, and shoes with grip if you plan to hike near the spillway or ride the bike trails after wet weather.
Where To Stay Near Cleburne State Park
Cleburne State Park works as a day trip, but staying nearby makes early entry easier on busy weekends. Cleburne is the closest practical base for groceries, restaurants, and supplies, while Fort Worth gives more hotel choice about 30 minutes northeast of the park.
Campers can stay inside the park if a campsite, shelter, or cabin is available. Travelers who want air-conditioning, a normal bed, or an early start without packing camping gear should compare Cleburne and Fort Worth hotels before locking in the visit date.
For an easier morning arrival, compare nearby stays here:
Ticket Verdict For A Smooth Visit
The right Cleburne State Park ticket choice depends on how often you visit Texas parks. Buy a regular day pass for a one-off lake-and-trail visit, get a Texas State Parks Pass if you will visit several parks in the next year, and check Texas Parklands Passport eligibility if age, disability, military service, or Gold Star status may apply.
For most first-time visitors, the clean plan is simple:
- Check day-pass availability before driving.
- Reserve ahead for spring, summer, holidays, and weekends.
- Arrive early if swimming, paddling, or a shaded picnic table matters.
- Budget $6 for each visitor 13 or older, plus any facility or rental fees.
- Use Cleburne as the closest base, or Fort Worth for more hotel choice.
A Cleburne State Park day pass is a good value when you use both sides of the park: the lake and the trails. A short stop still works, but a full day makes the $6 adult entry fee feel much better spent.
References & Sources
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.“Cleburne State Park Entrance Fees.”Lists current day-use fees, child entry, annual-pass pricing, and discount-pass categories.