People-watch on the Katy Trail or bird-watch deep in the Cedar Ridge Preserve.
take in 13 space on single-valued function
We ’re in that sweet window of fantastic weather mighty now , in between the freezing temps of winter and the scorch sun of summertime . So if you ’re look to hit the lead for a leisurely walk or marathon - suitable streak , now ’s the ideal time to break in some fresh education shoes . Explore some of the well - known ballpark and trail in North Texas , as well as some out of sight gems that may be off the beaten path . Some might be decent around the corner from where you exist . Others are a myopic drive to amazing al fresco adventure . Lace up and read on for 13 of the most scenic walking and run paths in Dallas - Fort Worth .
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Prairie Creek Park
No matter how minuscule they may be compared to , oh , Hawaii ’s , our fistful of waterfalls in DFW will always exhort us to get outdoors for a few second of tranquility . The Prairie Creek Waterfall within Prairie Creek Park . speculation across wooden bridges and well - keep gravel trail for one of the most easily approachable falls in the part . The commons — and especially the waterfall — can get busy on weekends , so early weekday dawning will be your unspoiled wager to get in a streamlet and maybe a few here and now to yourself by the cascade water supply .
Historic Water Station Trail and Old Stone Dam
A dekametre dating back to 1874 can be access via trails at the multi - Akka Allen Station Park . Many historical features can be bump along the routes , include water towers once used by the railway line in the tardy 19th hundred . Overlooks can be access along the low granite walkways at this Texas State Archaeological Landmark , which can also be found on the National Register of Historic Places . So if you go bad your own clock time running or walking this trail , you ’ll be making a second of chronicle yourself for a full - traffic circle moment .
Trinity Trails
Everything ’s bigger in Texas , the locution goes , and the 100 - plus nautical mile of trail within the Tarrant Regional Water District sure as shooting make that argument compelling . Among the highlight of the legion trails , Airfield Falls Trailhead and Conservation Park easily rank at the top of the lean with the realm ’s largest natural waterfall ( lower your outlook for this finical superlative ) , a migration point for Monarch butterflies , and paved pathways to make thing easier on the ol’ knees . Marine Creek Lake & Trails , Trinity Park , and various other pathways that operate parallel to the Trinity River fill out out some of the best in the greater Trinity Trails system .
River Legacy Parks
River Legacy Parks consist of two dissimilar areas , River Legacy Park and River Legacy Park East . Combined they ’re a 1,300 - Accho urban retirement on the shores of the Trinity River as it weave through Arlington between Dallas and Fort Worth . Featuring wetlands , a bottom timber , and astray - open prairie , it ’s home to countless wild species eager to cheer you on as you seek to beat your own best time . Run up to eight miles on paved hike trails , then take a interruption in one of the river - panorama pavilions and picnic areas . Plus , you ’ll find restrooms onsite so you’re able to stay overnice and hydrous without wonder which tree diagram provides the most privacy .
Trinity Skyline Trail
Though the Katy Trail is known for its work out hotties — and that ’s certainlyveryDallas — we think a more quintessential Big D experience can be found on the Trinity Skyline Trail . That ’s because , for much of the trail ’s 4.6 - mile expanse , you ’ll be rewarded with both forcible length of service via the cardiovascular action and prominent view of the downtown Dallas skyline , including the majestic Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge . And with all the rainfall we had earlier in the yr , the Trinity River forebode a short more river - like qualites than normal .. Start your jog journeying at Trammell Crow Park , Continental Avenue Bridge , or the Trinity Overlook , each outfit with 12 to 75 parking spaces .
White Rock Lake
Many people describe White Rock Lake as an haven in the eye of Dallas and we do n’t disagree . The park boasts a stretching of over 1,015 acre and more than nine air mile of trails around the lake . breathless persuasion of Downtown Dallas from across the sparkling water abound , and if you ’re favourable enough to catch the sundown , it ’s stupefying . Most runner start their journey at the Big Thicket cabin , where you’re able to come after the yellow line all the way around the lake on an asphalt track . No matter where you take the air or execute , keep an heart out for cyclists , they take no prisoners . If you get thirsty ( which you will ) , there are water fount throughout the itinerary — you may always recuperate with a cold beer afterward ( or schedule a mid - run stoppage atWhite Rock Alehouse , stashed just off the trail ) .
Katy Trail
What was once an older give up railroad bloodline is now one of the most iconic trails and destinations in Dallas . The trail extends 3.5 miles from SMU at its north end to American Airlines Center in the south , featuring a 12 - ft - wide concrete lead ( a respectable dwelling for bicyclist ) and an 8 - foot - wide soft - airfoil running game itinerary that ’s best suit to running or walk — not to cite the ideal situation for take in the beautiful scenery . And by “ beautiful scenery , ” we mean the attractive and set people that cluster to the track every day . check that to protrude byKaty Trail Ice Houseand grab a seat at the trail ’s edge , where it ’s even easier to citizenry - watch . Plus , now through November , you could now enjoy a pair of sculptures on loanword from theNasher Sculpture Centernear the Thomsen Overlook .
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a hidden gem in the middle of suburban west Plano , 20 miles northwards of Downtown Dallas . The 200 - Akko wooded nature preserve spans pave pathway that loop through the wild flanked by awful scene . If you so desire , you’re able to veer off the beat path , as you’re able to access unpaved hiking and mountain biking trails , too . Just take right precaution — you’re sharing the preserves with ophidian ( yes , Snake ) and other boisterous characters . If snakebites are n’t enough to get you mad , the park also offers three trails with distances from 0.4 miles to 1.3 miles , so there ’s something for everyone . weekend are the engaged , so get there early ( as in 5 am early ) . And if you ’re a midnight moon-curser , just likeDexywas , you ’ll have to start a trivial in the beginning , as the parking area shut down at 11 pm .
Bachman Lake Trail
This 8 - foot - wide trail is tailor - made for blue runner , so you do n’t have to care so much about a psyche - on collision with aCannondale . The trail is 3.5 miles long and offers a scenic run around the border of Bachman Lake , plus a chicken’s - eye - view of all the Southwest Airlines jets landing and aim off from Love Field just beyond the border of the lake . The lead is at its peak on weekend , so if you ’re more concerned about fitness than people - find out , visit during the week . good of all , some of the city’stop taqueriasandMexican restaurantscan be discover just outside the park ’s entrance along Northwest Highway .
Cedar Ridge Preserve
perch just about 20 minutes southwestward of Downtown , this lilliputian gash of Hill Country offers a unequalled terrain with 8 miles of trails . Plus , it ’s not too far from here toJoe Pool Lakeif you want to do a cardio dual - header . A totality of 13 trails offer everything from short dash to the longest lead at 1.9 miles , each stocked with a variety of inclines and blood . Whatever you do , do n’t forget to kibosh and count around at thewildflowers , birds , and the North Texas Blackland Prairie ecosystem in all its aureole ( alongside a few river otters if you ’re really lucky ) . Feel free to invite your four - legged friend , too — as long as they ’re on a leash ( and hopefully well - bear ) . Visit the website for shutdown after it rains , as many of the lead are subject to flooding .
Marion Sansom Park
This medium track stakes its title near Lake Worth in Northwest Fort Worth , laden with an array of loop including casual tough foothold and elevation gain . The view from atop the limestone bluff can be amazing at sunrise and sunset , , and there ’s even a small waterfall for your screening ( and listening ) delight . Be cognisant that the lead can be hard to sail at times thanks to a lack of marking , so bring a printed mathematical function or use an app likeAllTrailsto assistance — or just make for your dog to keep you caller should you get lost . Bring your own water and protein snacks , too , because you wo n’t find any facilities out in these sticks .
North Shore Trail at Grapevine Lake
The 9.5 - naut mi - farsighted North Shore Trail on the north side of Grapevine Lake is ideal for those who prefer off - road running . The itinerary takes adventurers over restrained , difficult , rolling , and ungroomed terrain from Rockledge to Twin Coves Park . The landscape from the shores and bluffs high above Grapevine Lake is deserving kibosh to enjoy , so definitely do n’t miss it . reach the trail all year , but know that it may now and then close due to heavy rainfall and clay , like many trail around North Texas . Just be prepared to undulate up your socks and get dirty and you wo n’t have any regrets .
Photo courtesy of Trinity Trails
