Is it Colorado? No, but these are some of the best trails for a "hike" you will find close to…read moreDallas. It's a great place to go for a walk in the woods with some elevation change up hills (don't expect mountains) that will provide some challenge without being defeating for those of any ability level. There are some pretty views, and you get the feeling of being out in nature and more connected with the earth. It's pretty crowded; on a Sunday at 8, I had to wait in a line to get in. Go early to secure a parking spot. They let people in as others leave, so the whole time you're there expect to see plenty of others out on the trail. No issues with bugs on March day. I especially love Cedar Ridge for trail running because it's challenging and perfect for training without destroying your legs. This is a hot spot for trail runners for sure. Definitely a must see for nature lovers in the DFW area. Temper your expectations if you've hiked out of state, but just remember it's really nice relative to more limited opportunities to "get outside" (in the words of REI) we have in this region.

Came here with my boyfriend, since the weather's been so nice. We had to wait for a few minutes to…read moreenter the park, since they let the same amount of people go in as those exiting. It's so nice to be surrounded by nature and to see such great views. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and maybe bring a hiking stick if you have an issue with balance, since there are lots of uneven paths and steps. Overall, it was a really nice park and we walked the entire area. Will definitely visit again!

White Rock Lake is one of my favorite places to unplug and reset. The trail is very clean, clearly…read moremarked, and perfect for both bikers and walkers, so everything flows smoothly without feeling crowded. There's always plenty of wildlife to spot along the way, including this adorable little fur baby in the video attached. I love coming out here to soak in nature, get some fresh air, and completely remove myself from the noise of the world for a while. Whether you're looking for a peaceful walk, a solid bike ride, or just a mental reset, White Rock Lake never disappoints.

Great area to ride your bike, and watch nature! This trail is super long and connects with other…read moretrails such as the SFT (Santa fe) which will take you to downtown! Rent you a bike at bike mart for 60 bucks for 24 hours and take off into the sunset.

This trail is one of those Dallas gems that just works. Clear lanes for runners, walkers, and…read morecyclists make it easy for everyone to move at their own pace without chaos. You've got runners getting miles in, people out for casual walks, cyclists cruising through, and plenty of folks walking their dogs--it feels active but not overwhelming. The trail itself is clean and well-kept, which always matters. Right now the foliage is turning and it adds a really nice touch--just enough color to make the run or walk feel refreshing instead of routine. It's one of those places where you can zone out, get your steps or miles in, and still feel connected to the city around you. Whether you're training, unwinding, or just getting outside with your pup, this trail delivers. Simple, scenic, and well thought out. Definitely a go-to spot.

A fun and flat trail that meanders about 3.3 miles one way, making it a great option if you want to…read moredo the full route and then retrace your steps for a solid 6.6-mile walk back to your starting point. We parked at Reverchon Park, which is located at one end of the trail. The path is mostly flat and includes designated bike and walking lanes. Around midday, there is a fair amount of shade on the walking side, which was excellent. Just be sure to wear sunscreen and bring a hat--skin cancer is no joke!

Great views of the Calatravas bridges and downtown! This…read moreimproved hiking and biking trail takes you past some of the most scenic parts of downtown Dallas. From the floodplain of the Trinity River, you can see all the bright lights of Big D. Downtown Dallas has two bridges designed by the internationally acclaimed architect, Santiago Calatravas. There's one at each end of the trail here. There's no restrooms here along this trail. No shade from trees. The area around the Trinity has been mowed to keep things visible, and a concrete path to follow. There's a map at the trail head that walks you through the features of the Trinity river valley. This place is generally pretty sketchy at night- there's a place you can pull off the road and park and make out or whatever those people are doing in their cars. It seems like a fantastic place to meet some shady characters late at night. I wouldn't hike past sundown. I went walking alone through the trail, and I'm pretty sure I made some of the other joggers uncomfortable when there was nobody else around... I'd have felt much more comfortable on a bike.

From what I understand based on the trail maps, the Trinity Skyline trail itself is a little less…read morethan 5 mile loop, but it connects to another trail which could lengthen it. On our first trip out, we only walked the half mile leg of the trail between the Trinity Overlook and the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge. Street parking was easy at the Overlook. There weren't a lot of spaces but there also weren't a lot of cars. I think most people start from one of the other trailheads. The views from the overlook are nice, but not as nice as the views from the pedestrian bridge. It would probably be more exciting at night. From the overlook we descended down a steep hill to the trail. The path is a little rocky but still adequate for running, assuming you have good shoes. This definitely isn't a trail for you barefoot runners! I can't speak for the rest of it, but this portion of the trail was NOT LIT, so it wouldn't be an early morning or night run option without a flashlight (and a taser). It is roughly a flat half mile from the overlook to the bridge and it is beautiful. There are views of both the Margaret McDermott and Margaret Hunt Hill bridges, the Trinity River, and the Dallas Skyline. Walking the trail in early April, everything was vibrantly green and absolutely stunning. We hopped off the trail to walk down the Ronald Kirk pedestrian bridge. On a Friday mid morning in the midst of Coronavirus quarantine, the bridge was sparsely populated - just a few people here and there running, biking, or walking their dogs. I see from previous reviewers that it is normally quite lively, which will be a fun thing to go back and experience, but it was also nice to have the bridge mostly to ourselves and peacefully take in the 360 degree views. The Trinity Skyline trail and the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian bridge come together to make a true urban oasis. Go check it out!

Whenever I want to go to a lake. I always chose Rockledge Park because it's close to home and I…read morelove the scenery.

What a beautiful place! We reached just in time for sunset and it's a fabulous sight…read more There is a $10 entry fee. Quite a few parking spots. There are park benches for a picnic with friends and family or to just sit and enjoy the view of grapevine lake. A must visit park to reset. It's a dog friendly place. There are kayaks to rent on site too.

Weather for a day hike? The sights. The sounds. This is your spot. It's smaller. So, lesser…read moretraveled/ packed. I think we cleared it in two hours. Mind the DORBA bikers. I actually discovered this spot care of a biker. Recent rain? Check the DORBA site for conditions for a few days. We used the AllTrails app to keep on task. There's signage, as ell. It's near a bunch of gas stations and fast food joints, when need be. Plenty of tables out in the front for pre/post workout grub up. Lots of mama nature to keep you company. I didn't notice a water fountain. Pack your water bottles. Parking out in front. Happy trails!

I joined a group for a morning hike. Enjoyed the sights, clean paths and fresh air. Plenty route…read moreoptions, great for groups, bikes and pets. Great for beginner hikers.

This place is soooo cool !!…read more We did have trouble just trying to find the place, our stupid GPS took us to some sewer pace. SMH BUT when we finally did get there the lady that works the entrance booth (Betty ?) was soooo sweet !! I'm just barely getting back into walking and wanted a nice easy "hike" and we found just that! We also found the houses that are all located in one section. Was fun to explore that.

I found it strange that this place charges a $5 entry fee but does not take cash, and does not even…read moretake all major cards. This is probably solvable for most visitors, but still is not a good way to run anything. Setting that aside, it was a nice little space. I came knowing rain was around the corner, but I got in a nice little hike and absorbed some sights. You know it's Texas because there's still cacti embedded amongst the greenery. There weren't any views of the lake immediately available, but it was a decent spot for some peace and quiet.

If you find yourself in the Plano/Carrollton area and need a break from the concrete jungle, Arbor…read moreHills Nature Preserve is an absolute must. My husband and I came here for a weekend trek, and it's easily one of the best outdoor spots in North Texas. What I love most is the versatility. Whether you're looking for a smooth, paved stroll or want to get your boots a little dusty on the dirt hiking trails, they've got you covered. It's a great mix of elevation and flat stretches. It's a great spot for everyone. Pets are welcome (on leashes!), and there is a fantastic playground near the parking lot--perfect for kiddos who still have energy to burn after a hike. You'll see a beautiful variety of plants and likely some local wildlife. Just a heads-up: they do have warning signs posted for snakes and poison ivy, so definitely keep an eye on your surroundings while you explore. The parking lot is huge, but this place is popular! We arrived around 1:00 PM and it was nearly at capacity. We were lucky to snag a stall, but I'd definitely recommend arriving earlier in the morning if you want to avoid the parking hunt.

This nature preserve was beautiful. It has a few different trails but my goal was to get to the…read moreobservation tower. Which was about 30 mins into the trail (I'm a slow walker tho) They do have some areas you can cut through to get to other trails but I don't recommend trying this after it rains because it's very muddy. The scenery from the tower was beautiful. I do wish they had more benches to rest though because there were only two on the trail we took. At the entrances there is a park for kids to play and a barbq area that looks over the trail. There's also plenty of parking! And the restrooms seem decent

Was looking for an easy trail that in the city. More than what I expected very pleased with the…read moreexperience

This is a Dallas Park and Recreation Nature Trail, located within the Great Trinity Forest in…read moresoutheast Dallas. It's listed as 1.6-miles long, but it's unclear which parts of the trail equal that distance. The trail-head is located at the southern end of Bexar Street. Plan to go when you can also visit Bonton Farms, located where you'll park. Bonton Farms is open Mon-Fri 9:30-3:30 and Sat 9-noon. If you remember bug spray, the Texas Buckeye Trail provides an enjoyable walk through some dense growth approaching the banks of the Trinity River. There's a concrete path and a narrow, well-marked, trail that, not surprisingly, was muddy in parts. Near the river, the trail was closed (caution-taped off) because of all the recent rains, so we couldnt get to the Buckeye Grove. On the concrete path there is a barrier blocking the last part which leads to the river. (See Tim O.'s picture) When the river had one of its floods, the banks were washed away causing the sidewalk to collapse (see my photo). Potentially dangerous, yes, which is why it's blocked. Hopefully access to river views will be re-engineered and re-introduced in the near future. Link to map of trail: https://www.dallasparks.org/DocumentCenter/View/1253 Link to info on the trails history and the buckeye tree: http://dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com/2013/03/texas-buckeye-trail-buckeye-grove-tour.html

The Lagoon of Fair Park, did you know it has a name? I've been coming to this lagoon for many…read moredecades and never knew it was the Leonhardt Lagoon! This lagoon is really cool. Lots of fish, turtles, birds and bugs around and in it. I've seen tons of sunfish and bass within it. It should have some larger bass by now. With the fountain spraying, I bet the fish do enjoy it! It is a great thing to hike around with the kids during the fair or when the fair is not in process. There are some artwork obstacles that used to be open to walk on but seems like now they are fenced off. During the fair, there are Swan Paddle boats to ride around parts of the lagoon.

We stumbled across this beautiful lagoon on our way to the North Texas Irish Festival in another…read moresection of Fair Park. Despite two previous visits to the Texas State Fair, I had never seen this gem before! The sculpture--made to resemble a fern--is so inviting to walk on and invoked me to interact with playfully & reverent curiosity. The views of the lagoon are great from every side with ample seating options, nearby public restrooms, and plenty of wildlife to observe. I would love to come back to simply reflect, go for a walk, or introduce guests to this wonderful marvel! Dallas has so much to offer! You only need to get out for a walk, or an event, and "find" these wonderful surprises:)!