With its rolling hills, forests, and vast parklands, the Dallas area offers fantastic hiking opportunities just minutes from the big city. From vigorous hill climbs to leisurely nature walks, the local trails allow you to soak up scenic vistas and fresh air. Here are some of the must-visit hiking spots around Dallas that will delight outdoor enthusiasts.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Cedar Ridge Preserve protects one of the highest points around Dallas, towering over scenic Joe Pool Lake. Over 18 miles of multi-use trails crisscross the rugged 789-acre park, winding through mountain juniper and native grasslands. One of the most popular routes is the 1.8 mile Blue Trail loop that climbs over 300 feet to open ridgelines with panoramic views.
Another scenic option is linking the Red, White and Blue Loops into a peaceful 5 mile hike on singletrack through the hilly heart of the preserve. The terrain offers a heart-pumping workout. Stop to appreciate blooming wildflowers in spring and keep an eye out for white-tailed deer. The trailhead is located 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas in Cedar Hill off FM 1382.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Situated in Plano just north of Dallas, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve spans almost 300 acres of ecologically rich prairies and forests threaded by over 7 miles of trails. The preserve offers an easily accessible nature escape from the city with rolling hills, limestone outcrops, valleys carved by spring-fed creeks, and stands of giant old growth trees.
Link together the Senter East Trail, Wildflower Trail and part of Elm Fork Trail for a popular 2.9 mile loop that takes in the best of the scenery. Highlights include the iconic Bison Valley with its life-sized bronze statues and a scenic viewpoint atop the park’s highest point, Marshall Mesa.
Spring Creek Nature Preserve
Encompassing over 1,000 acres just outside Dallas in Richardson, Spring Creek Nature Preserve protects one of the region’s few remaining patches of Blackland Prairie grasslands. Two loop trails traversing a mix of ecosystems provide hiking options.
The 1.8 mile Prairie Trail crosses open grasslands and sunlit forest edged by Walnut Creek. For more seclusion, follow the Woodland Trail through oak and cedar woods lining scenic cottonwood-filled ravines carved out by creek tributaries. Link the two for a peaceful 4 mile hike with minimal elevation changes. Keep eyes peeled for over 200 bird species that frequent the preserve.
Trinity Trail System
Winding through the heart of Dallas, the Trinity Trail network follows the paths of the Trinity River and its wooded bluffs. Currently over 40 miles are complete, with plans to expand to over 100 miles, creating extensive hiking opportunities right in the city center. Sections like the 10-mile White Rock Creek trail offer wilderness solitude within city limits.
The Trinity Trail also connects numerous parks, so you can mix in some urban scenery. Highlights include the 4 mile loop around White Rock Lake’s verdant shores, forested riverbank trails in Great Trinity Forest, and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge overlooking the Dallas skyline. Link multiple sections together for the distance you desire.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center
Bordered by the dramatic escarpment of the Blackland Prairies, Dogwood Canyon’s 6.5 miles of trails traverse varied landscapes from grassy hills and wildflower meadows to shaded bottomland forest. Managed by the Audubon Society, the area is an ecological treasure, attracting over 100 bird species.
For panoramic prairie views, follow the 1.2 mile Vista Loop up the canyon rim and back down through oak groves. Connect to the 1.5 mile Savanna Loop to observe birds from a poplar-lined wetland boardwalk. The center offers guided birding walks and natural history programs to deepen your experience. They are located 25 miles south of Dallas in Cedar Hill.
Crowley Park
Nestled in southwest Fort Worth, Crowley Park provides over 5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails just minutes from the city. Most routes navigate rugged terrain with etched limestone outcrops, crosses oak woodlands, and climbs to viewpoints above the Trinity River.
Starting from the Rock Creek Trailhead, ascend a rocky path up Crowley Ridge, gaining almost 200 feet in elevation across exposed slabs before descending through shady oak forest back to the trailhead for a 1 mile loop. From the Ridge Trailhead, trek 1.5 miles through more remote wooded sections of the park with challenging inclines.
Combine trails or come back to see it all across multiple outings. Set between Eagle Mountain Lake and the Trinity River, Crowley Park delivers a convenient nature escape.
Eisenhower State Park
Located on the edge of Lake Texoma, 25 miles north of Dallas, Eisenhower State Park offers scenic hiking and biking trails through rugged terrain dotted with rocky bluffs. Most routes traverse a mixture of grasslands, scrub forest and wet weather creeks with occasional steep grades that provide a vigorous workout.
The 6-mile Choctaw Trail forms a loop linking the scenic highlights, from sandy shorelines to woodland overlooks above the lake. For a shorter hike, tackle the 1.2-mile Climbing Fern Trail with rocky slopes or the half-mile Bluebonnet Trail traversing open meadows thick with wildflowers in spring. With adjacent campgrounds and cabins, Eisenhower makes an ideal overnight getaway with day hikes galore.
River Legacy Parks
The 1,300 acres encompassing River Legacy Parks in Arlington provide over 10 miles of multi-use trails just minutes north of downtown Dallas. Shaded hiking routes wind through dense bottomland forest, open meadows, and wetland environments. Connector trails link three zones – Forest, Prairie and Wetlands.
In Forest Park, cross spring-fed streams and admire majestic pecan and cottonwood trees. Prairie Park contains wildflower fields while Wetlands Park surrounds the scenic lakes. The 3 mile Outer Loop combines the most scenic sections in one continuous trek. Interpretive signage provides nature insights along the way.
With its rolling hills, limestone outcrops, hardwood forests, and lush prairies surrounding the city, Dallas offers an abundance of great hiking for anyone traveling to Texas. The extensive park system provides access to varied nature landscapes and terrain. Hit one of these scenic local trails to immerse yourself in beautiful outdoor settings while getting your steps in.
