Dallas is more than just a concrete jungle. You don’t have to look far through the maze of skyscrapers, high rises and highways to find a wide-open space or wooded trail to soak in some nature while getting a little exercise.
Need some fresh air? Looking for a trail to hike or a new place to put some miles on your bicycle? Here are some of the best nature trails in the metroplex.
Cedar Ridge Nature Center
A short 20-minute drive from downtown Dallas, Cedar Ridge Nature Center spans 600 acres of nature preserve and wooded hills with nine miles of walking trails amidst the wildlife and trees. Trails range from easy to difficult, making Cedar Ridge Nature Center the perfect spot for any hiker.
Trinity River Audubon Center
The city of Dallas and the Audubon Society worked together to transform 120 acres surrounding the Trinity River into a nature preserve complete with four miles of trails. Trails in the bottomland are for hiking only, so there are no bicycles or dogs allowed, though there is a concrete bicycle path surrounding the perimeter of the Trinity River Audubon Center. Check out a trail map here.
Oak Point
Plano’s largest park (800 acres!) is a beautiful wooded nature escape with several miles of clearly marked natural trails. Oak Point features more than six miles of natural surface trails and 5.7 miles of multi-use paths (bicycles allowed). The Oak Point natural surface trails are for pedestrians only (no bicycles), but pets on a leash are allowed. Click here for a trail map.
Harry S. Moss
If you’re looking for an off-road biking experience, check out the nearly 5 miles of natural surface looping trails at Harry S Moss. These trails are some of many in the Dallas area that are maintained by the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association.
White Rock Lake Park
Dallas’ own oasis in the city, the White Rock Lake Park Loop Trail consists of 9.4 miles of paved multi-use trails linking historic features of White Rock Lake Park with picnic areas, playgrounds and a dog park. Want to get in a few extra miles? The Santa Fe Trail, starting just east of Deep Ellum and connecting to the west side of White Rock Lake, will add an extra 4 miles to your ride.
The city of Dallas alone has more than 100 miles of diverse urban hiking and biking trails. Whether you’re headed out for a nature hike or training for your next race, there’s no shortage of trails in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
For more information in hiking and biking trails in DFW, check out dorba.org and happytrailsdallas.com.
