Dallas-Fort Worth isn’t known for its elevations, but there are still plenty of places to hike and and explore trails.
In honor of National Hiking Day on Nov. 17, we’ve curated a list of parks, preserves and more that offer top-notch topography and scenic views that aren’t too far from Dallas-Fort Worth.
If state parks are your thing, consider purchasing a Texas State Parks Pass. For $70, a pass holder gets unlimited entrance to Texas’ 88 state parks, allows free entry for guests of the pass holder and provides discounts that include cabin rentals.
Two more pro tips: When available, reserve day passes ahead of time for weekends and national holidays to ensure you can snag a spot. Also, call ahead to check the trail status of your desired park to ensure it hasn’t been impacted by recent weather. You don’t want to road trip for nothing.
Explore the options for National Hiking Day. Make sure to check in with each venue before visits for last-minute changes or closures.
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill State Park has something for everyone: lakefront vistas, an old farmhouse to visit and trails that include limestone hills and prairieland. Trails can be explored on foot or by mountain bike. The park holds notably challenging DORBA trails, as designated by the Dallas Off-Road Bike Association. There are two trails leading to overlooks, the Talala Overlook and Plum Valley Overlook, worth traversing for the views.
Details: 1570 West FM 1382, Cedar Hill. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. $7 for a day pass; kids under 12 are free. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cedar-hill.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Not sure of the difference between a park and a preserve? The latter is focused on preserving and restoring the natural ecological conditions of an area. Cedar Ridge Preserve, which is maintained by the nonprofit Audubon Dallas, has a whopping 13 trails within the Dallas city limits. The trails are manageable for a morning outing, with the longest, Cedar Brake, running only 1.9 miles. The Little Bluestem trail is wheelchair-accessible. A scenic overlook, an observation tower, a butterfly garden and more can be found at the preserve.
Details: 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. A donation of $3 or more is recommended per visit. audubondallas.org/cedar-ridge-preserve.
Cleburne State Park
You can find the northern edge of the Texas Hill Country at this park south of Fort Worth. The 116-acre Cedar Lake anchors the park, which features a range of trails ― from easy to taxing. While mountain biking is allowed at the property, there are some hiking-only paths and loops to follow. If you’re looking for something more strenuous, find picturesque landscapes and scale craggy limestone cliffs by taking the Limestone Ridge Trail with the Inner Loop Trail.
Details: 5800 Park Road 21, Cleburne. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. $6 for day pass; kids under 12 are free. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cleburne
Cross Timbers Hiking Trail
This trail, covering over 14 miles, is on the shores of Lake Texoma, dividing Texas from Oklahoma. Its rustic simplicity recalls the time before North Texas was settled. Owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the trail caters to hikers who can handle moderate difficulty, and it’s recommended as a place to prepare for more strenuous hikes. Pick up the trailhead at the Juniper Point recreation area and conclude at Paw Paw Creek. Just be sure you stay alert for snakes, coyotes and bobcats. There is no water or other supplies available on the trail, though there are rustic campsites available along the way.
Details: 32843 Highway 377, Gordonville. $2 for walk-in or bike-in guests; $5 per vehicle; no day usage fee for kids under 16. To book campsites, use recreation.gov; camping rates vary. swt.usace.army.mil/Locations/Tulsa-District-Lakes/Oklahoma/Lake-Texoma.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Come for the dinosaur tracks, stay for the hiking. Many North Texans know they can head to Glen Rose to scope out footprints of sauroposeidon proteles, Texas’ official state dinosaur, and acrocanthosaurus. But Dinosaur Valley State Park also has 20 miles of trails for guests to explore. Stride across limestone-capped ledges on trails ranging from easy to challenging. For a high-effort, high-reward option, take the roughly half-mile hike dubbed Overlook Trail to catch views of the Paluxy River Valley.
Details: 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. $8 for day pass; kids under 12 are free. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley.
Eagle Mountain Lake Park
FREE This hiking-only site — meaning no bikes and no horses — features six well-maintained, easily navigable trails that loop Eagle Mountain Lake in the Fort Worth area. The Main Park Trail will take you straight to the water, where you can pick up the Shoreline Trail, which follows the banks. There are two more parks nearby: Shady Grove Park in Azle and Twin Points Park.
Details: 11601 Morris Dido Newark Road, Fort Worth. Open daily from dawn until 30 minutes after sunset. eaglemountainlake.org/eagle-mountain-park.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Find winding trails amid the forests, prairies and wetlands of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Its 3,621 acres contain more than 20 miles of trails. That makes it one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the country. The property offers guided hikes in addition to experiences like bison-feeding hayrides and canoe and kayak tours.
Details: 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth. Open daily; hours vary based on time of year; no entry after 4 p.m. $6 for adults; $2 for kids ages 3 to 12; $3 for seniors 65 and older; kids under 3 are free. fwnaturecenter.org.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland
FREE Hikes at LBJ National Grassland, part of the Forest Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are light on changing topographies, but the park’s more than 20,000 acres provide a recreational playground true to its Great Plains roots. An estimated 75 miles of long and short hikes ideal for beginners sit within the park north of Decatur. The yellow trail, at about 10 miles and with gains of just over 500 feet in elevation, loops through grasslands and forested areas alike. All five trails are used for hiking and horseback riding. Make sure to pack drinking water as there is none available. The grassland is open year-round.
Details: TADRA Point Trailhead at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland, Fs 904, Alvord. fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts.
Possum Kingdom State Park
West of Mineral Wells, Possum Kingdom Lake State Park opened in 1950 after the state acquired the land from the Brazos River Authority. Trails at the park tend to follow the waterline and take visitors through grasslands and woodlands. While the park’s longest trail, the Lakeview Trail, is suitable for most visitors, those looking for rugged terrains and a challenge should check out the Longhorn and Chapparal Ridge trails.
Details: 3901 State Park Road 33, Caddo. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $4 for adults; kids under 12 are free. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/possum-kingdom.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Isle du Bois
Isle du Bois is part of the larger Ray Roberts Lake State Park. This stretch of the park features miles of trails, many of which hug the shoreline of the lake about an hour north of Dallas-Fort Worth. Isle du Bois includes dedicated trails for not only hikers but also mountain bikers and equestrians. The property features ample overnight accommodations for those wishing to make a weekend of it. You can also check out the park’s Johnson Branch and Greenbelt Corridor features.
Details: Isle du Bois, 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. $7 for adults; kids under 12 are free. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ray-roberts-lake.
Rockledge Park
Set amid the craggy cliffs of Lake Grapevine is Rockledge Park. Hiking and biking along the 23-mile Northshore Trail is the thing to do. The property also offers guided tours through Lonestar Adventure Sports. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also available.
Details: 3600 Pilot Point, Grapevine. Open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. $10 per vehicle. rockledgepark.com.
