Want to get outdoors and go Hiking in DFW?
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has tons of nature trails and hikes to go to for walking, jogging, running, biking, or other outdoor activities. There are some of the Best hiking trails near by!
This may be of a surprise to many as much of Dallas and its surrounding areas are flat – Forbes and D Magazine even agree that Dallas is the “Capitol of the Great Plains” but has a ton of green spaces (A fun fact: according to planotexas.org)
The city of Plano received its name from Dr Henry Dye in 1848 who decided on the Spanish word Plano to mean “plain” as to describe the surrounding terrain).
Many of the trails are in parks and nature areas which are well maintained; many trails in Plano have paved loops, and some have great off-road trails for cross country running/biking.
Maybe you could combine a Hike with a fun activity this Weekend or check out a Local Playground or Park. You can also visit 10 of these great Outdoor Spots around Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Dallas
Here are the Plano Moms’ list of recommended nature trails and hiking near Plano:
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Address: 6701 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75093
Park: 2 miles
Trail around Arbor Hills area: 3 miles
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, located in Plano Texas, is part of the city’s trail system and one of the residents’ favorites nature trail. It is a peaceful place that is excellent for meditation or quiet walk or runs.
It has a 200-acre wooded nature preserve that offers access to a large variety of unpaved hiking and biking trails, gorgeous views of the prairie.
Amenities include 3 miles of a paved hiking trail, 3 miles of an unpaved hiking trail, a 2.8-mile off-road bike trail, restrooms, a covered pavilion, and a playground. You can reserve the pavilion for special events.
Arbor Hills Scavenger Hunt
Have a blast as you follow the map on a quest through Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. Your team will look for clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges all while having fun!
Purchase your Scavenger Hunt now, and start your Adventure any time!
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is Plano’s little gem, perfect for the entire family, including your fur babies.
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Address: 5901 Los Rios Blvd, Plano, TX 75074
3 miles
It is the City of Plano’s largest park with 800 acres of nature preserve, which offers tons of outdoor activities for everyone. It has beautiful trails, creeks, and ponds, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The park has 3.5 miles of concrete trails and 5 miles of soft trails in Plano Texas.
It is a perfect place to slow down from the busy life we have and enjoy the beauty of nature. The pond is open for kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding from dawn to dusk. You can use your own watercraft (canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard). And, there is an onsite zipline and ropes course for the adventurous souls.
Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve is an excellent park with something for everyone!
Chisholm Trail
9.3 miles – Chisholm Trail Route
As part of the City of Plano Trail System, this trail is one of the favorites for the residents who are looking for paved trails for hiking, running, and biking.
It follows a scenic creek through central Plano, and mostly the trail is available on both sides of the creek, which uses underpasses to cross major roads.
It starts at Harrington Park and carries on north and west to Legacy Drive, and it intersects with the Bluebonnet Trail in Jack Carter Park. There are water fountains available, and the trail goes through multiple parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Have you seen these great options for Lakes and Beaches within driveable distance?
Hiking in Dallas
The Great Trinity Forest
The Great Trinity Forest is one of the most extensive urban forests in the country, with 6,000 acres of sprawling woods, rivers, and marshes. (about five or six times the size of Central Park in New York City).The southwest edge of our city could be mistaken for the Hill Country with its lake views.
Here are a few trails that are inside the Great Trinity Forest:
Trinity River Audubon Center
Trinity River Audubon Center is your gateway to explore the fantastic resources of the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest. It is open for everyone who wants to enjoy exploring miles of trails, learn about local birds and its diverse community of plant and animal species. There is a short wheelchair-friendly trail that leads to the river, and the center trail is a 2.5 mile out and back which is suitable for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. There are several special events and programs that anyone can participate.
Trinity Forest Trail
Trinity Forest Trails offers a scenic experience of the Trinity River and the Trinity Forest and is suitable for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and fishing and is accessible year-round. The trail portion at Little Lemmon, and Lemmon Lakes consists of two miles of 12-foot concrete trail adjacent to the road to the Loop 12 boat launch.
This particular segment ends at the City of Dallas’ Ecopark Facility parking lot on Simpson Stuart Road. It is a great place to enjoy the quiet solitude the forest gives, and it is just a few miles of downtown.
Texas Buckeye Trail
It is named after Texas Buckeye Trees located near the final point of the trail, which most of the hikers admired during the spring bloom. Texas Buckeye Nature Trail is a 1.6-mile trail which consists of paved and natural paths winding through the Great Trinity Forest to the Trinity River, southeast Dallas. The trail begins at the southern end of Bexar Street.
White Rock Lake Park Loop Trail
Following the shoreline of White Rock Lake, it connects to the Union Pacific Trail, Santa Fe Trail, Katy Spur Trail and White Rock Creek Trail (North). The West side is well maintained and is perfect to catch a beautiful sunset.
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve
Address: 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249
Formerly the Dallas Nature Center, the Cedar Ridge Nature Center spans 600 acres between the Mountain Creek Parkway and FM 1382, just about 20 minutes from downtown Dallas. It has an elevation of 755 feet, which gives a hill country feel. It features about 9 miles of walking trails ranging from easy to challenging, providing an excellent experience for everyone. The preserve is also home for some native trees, grasses and wildflowers, the rare black-capped Vireo, as well as a wide variety of wildlife. And, the center also features butterfly gardens and picnic areas.
Dogwood Canyon Audobon Center in Cedar Hill
Address: 1206 FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
At Dogwood Canyon Audobon Center is where the Texas Hill Country meets the Dallas county! The Audobon preserves the natural habitat of over 200 acres, a portion of the surrounding 3,000+ acre greenbelt near Cedar Hill State Park and Cedar Ridge Preserve.
It is so beautiful at any time of the year and perfect for the whole family, either to do some hiking (two miles of trails into the forested Canyon), bird-viewing, picnicking, or just chilling. The Canyon features a visitor center, two canyon trails, academic programs, conservation workshops, and facility rental.
Others Parks and Trails in DFW
Bob Woodruff Park
Address: 2601 San Gabriel Dr, Plano, TX 75074
3.7 miles
The Bob Woodruff Park Trail is a part of the City of Plano trails system. This trail, composed of a loop and several spurs within Bob Woodruff Park, also connects to the Santa Fe Trail as well as the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve Trail.
Heard Natural Science Museums and Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: 1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069
Spring Creek Nature Reserve
Address: N Plano Rd, Richardson, TX 75082
The heavily wooded trail winds around Richardson and the creek for which it’s named. On the Eastern side it runs through the Spring Creek Nature Area, a 51-acre park offering picnic areas, restrooms and other amenities.
You can definitely get Outdoors in our area!
Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve
Address: 355 Bob Jones Rd, Southlake, TX 76092
3.5 miles
An urban trail in Dallas with a soft-surface track for runners and walkers, spanning the distance between Dallas’s West End and the American Airlines Center arena
Address: 2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114
Address: 6600 Pastor Bailey Dr, Dallas, TX 75237
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve
Address: 2875 Pierce St, Dallas, TX 75233
Address: 7601 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231
Piedmont Ridge Trail
Address: 2400 N Jim Miller Rd, Dallas, TX 75227
Address: 100 Mill Wood Dr, Colleyville, TX 76034
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Address: 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX 75057
Which great places have we missed? Let us know by commenting below.