Dallas is a vibrant city with a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities․ If you’re looking for a hike, there are plenty of trails to choose from within a short drive of the city․ Here are five of the best hiking trails near Dallas⁚
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Distance⁚ 9 miles of trails
Difficulty⁚ Easy to moderate
Highlights⁚ Scenic views of the Trinity River, diverse wildlife, and historic landmarks
Cedar Ridge Preserve is a beautiful 600-acre nature preserve located just 15 miles south of downtown Dallas; The preserve features a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and prairies․ There are 9 miles of trails to explore, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty․
One of the highlights of Cedar Ridge Preserve is the scenic overlook of the Trinity River․ The overlook offers panoramic views of the river and the surrounding countryside․ It’s a great place to stop for a picnic or simply to enjoy the scenery․
In addition to its scenic beauty, Cedar Ridge Preserve is also home to a diverse array of wildlife․ You’re likely to see deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds․ The preserve is also home to several historic landmarks, including the remains of an old farmstead and a Civil War-era fort․
Cedar Ridge Preserve is a great place to hike, bike, or simply enjoy the outdoors․ The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk․ Admission is free․
Directions⁚ From downtown Dallas, take I-35E south to exit 408 (Camp Wisdom Road)․ Turn left onto Camp Wisdom Road and go 1 mile․ Turn right onto Cedar Ridge Drive and go 1 mile to the preserve entrance․
Tips⁚
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing․
- Bring water and snacks․
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails․
- Respect the wildlife and do not feed the animals․
- Leave no trace․ Pack out everything you pack in․
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Distance⁚ 2․4 miles of trails
Difficulty⁚ Easy
Highlights⁚ Beautiful wildflowers, scenic views of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, and a variety of wildlife
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre nature preserve located in Plano, just north of Dallas․ The preserve features a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and prairies; There are 2․4 miles of trails to explore, all of which are easy to hike․
One of the highlights of Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is the beautiful wildflowers․ In the spring, the preserve is awash in a sea of color, with wildflowers of all shapes and sizes․ The preserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds․
In addition to its natural beauty, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve also offers scenic views of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River․ The river is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing․
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a great place to hike, bike, or simply enjoy the outdoors․ The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk․ Admission is free․
Directions⁚ From downtown Dallas, take I-35E north to exit 422 (Parker Road)․ Turn left onto Parker Road and go 2 miles․ Turn right onto Alma Drive and go 1 mile to the preserve entrance․
Tips⁚
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing․
- Bring water and snacks․
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails․
- Respect the wildlife and do not feed the animals․
- Leave no trace․ Pack out everything you pack in․
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center
Distance⁚ 10 miles of trails
Difficulty⁚ Easy to moderate
Highlights⁚ Stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and a variety of habitats
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is a 210-acre nature preserve located in Cedar Hill, just south of Dallas․ The preserve features a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and prairies; There are 10 miles of trails to explore, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty․
One of the highlights of Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is the stunning scenery․ The preserve is home to a variety of trees, including dogwoods, oaks, and maples․ The trails wind through the forest, past waterfalls and creeks․ The preserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds․
In addition to its natural beauty, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center also offers a variety of educational programs and activities․ The center has a nature center with exhibits on the local flora and fauna․ There are also a variety of guided hikes and walks offered throughout the year․
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is a great place to hike, bike, or simply enjoy the outdoors․ The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk․ Admission is free․
Directions⁚ From downtown Dallas, take I-35E south to exit 408 (Cedar Hill Road)․ Turn left onto Cedar Hill Road and go 2 miles․ Turn right onto Dogwood Canyon Road and go 1 mile to the preserve entrance․
Tips⁚
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing․
- Bring water and snacks․
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails․
- Respect the wildlife and do not feed the animals․
- Leave no trace․ Pack out everything you pack in․
Trinity Forest Trails
Distance⁚ 11 miles of trails
Difficulty⁚ Easy to moderate
Highlights⁚ Riverfront views, diverse wildlife, and a variety of habitats
Trinity Forest Trails is a 6,000-acre urban forest located in the heart of Dallas․ The forest is home to a variety of habitats, including bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and prairies․ There are 11 miles of trails to explore, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty․
One of the highlights of Trinity Forest Trails is the riverfront views․ The trails wind along the Trinity River, offering stunning views of the river and the surrounding forest․ The forest is also home to a diverse variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds․
In addition to its natural beauty, Trinity Forest Trails also offers a variety of recreational opportunities․ There are picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing spots located throughout the forest․ There are also a variety of guided hikes and walks offered throughout the year․
Trinity Forest Trails is a great place to hike, bike, or simply enjoy the outdoors․ The forest is open daily from dawn to dusk․ Admission is free․
Directions⁚ From downtown Dallas, take I-35E south to exit 412 (Ledbetter Drive)․ Turn left onto Ledbetter Drive and go 1 mile․ Turn right onto Singleton Boulevard and go 2 miles to the trailhead․
Tips⁚
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing․
- Bring water and snacks․
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails․
- Respect the wildlife and do not feed the animals․
- Leave no trace․ Pack out everything you pack in․
White Rock Lake Trail
Distance⁚ 9․3 miles
Difficulty⁚ Easy
Highlights⁚ Lake views, picnic areas, and a variety of wildlife
White Rock Lake Trail is a 9․3-mile paved trail that circles White Rock Lake, a popular recreation area in Dallas․ The trail is mostly flat and easy to walk or bike, making it a great option for families with young children․
One of the highlights of White Rock Lake Trail is the lake views․ The trail winds along the shore of the lake, offering stunning views of the water and the surrounding parkland․ The trail also passes through a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and prairies․
In addition to its natural beauty, White Rock Lake Trail also offers a variety of recreational opportunities․ There are picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing spots located throughout the park․ There are also a variety of guided hikes and walks offered throughout the year․
White Rock Lake Trail is a great place to hike, bike, or simply enjoy the outdoors․ The trail is open daily from dawn to dusk․ Admission is free․
Directions⁚ From downtown Dallas, take I-35E north to exit 422 (Abrams Road)․ Turn right onto Abrams Road and go 1 mile․ Turn left onto Garland Road and go 2 miles to the trailhead․
Tips⁚
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing․
- Bring water and snacks․
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails․
- Respect the wildlife and do not feed the animals․
- Leave no trace․ Pack out everything you pack in․
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