Cedar Hill State Park
While there are a few other trails here at Cedar Hill State park, the DORBA trail is the reason to visit! This was the original mountain bike trail built by the DORBA organization, and is a beautiful trail through the countryside. You can pick which adventure you want (3 miles, 7 miles, 10+ miles), but these loops are fairly independant. Take care, once you set out, there isn’t an easy way to get back due to how these trails are set up. The other trails (Talala, Duck Pond) are worth a hike if on foot, but are much shorter distances. The park is close to other premiere trail spots in the metroplex, sitting near the Cedar Ridge Reserve, Big Cedar, and Dogwood Canyon trail systems. Highly recommended!
Distance
Over 20 miles
Trail Type
Natural
Best Use
Hiking, Trail Running, Mountain Biking
Shade
Mix
Location
Cedar Hill
Facilities
Restrooms, water fountains, camping, picnic areas
Parking
Parking Lots
Linear / Loop
Loops and Linear Trails
Official Site: Cedar Hill State Park Official Site
DORBA Trail: As you can see from the map above, the DORBA trail is at the outermost part of the park, at the southern edge. It’s also not structure like many of the other local trail systems, as it’s a series of three loops. When you get out on the trail, you won’t be doing all three though, as each one spins off the one before it. You can do a three mile journey by taking the inner loop. If you want to add more distance, you would still start on the 3 mile trail, and take the split for the 8 mile trail. For those wanting to go even further, that trail will split to a longer 12 mile trail. The trails wind up coming together again and join back at the original 3 mile trail before you get back to the trailhead.
This is not the easiest of the trails in the area, but if you can handle North Shore, even the easy side of North Shore, you’ll have no problems here. Starting out there is a bit of elevation as you go back into the hills, but if you are biking the trail, you can always push your bike at any difficult portions. If you like switchbacks, this is your trail, as you’ll encounter many as you explore the terrain! Also keep an eye out for snakes, there are many reports or rattlesnakes or copperheads in the park.
Since this is a mountain bike trail, hikers should go in the opposite direction of the bikers, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for them coming. While you may have the right of way on foot, they can’t see you coming around a corner or hear you, like you can hear them.
Make sure if you are heading out, to check the DORBA app, or call the park, to see if the trails are open. After rain, or if the lake levels are high (as they have been in early 2019), the trails won’t be passable, and will be closed to protect them. Please don’t hike or bike on closed trails, they are closed for a reason!
Talala Trail: When the trail dries out, i’ll go back and review
Duck Pond Trail: When the trail dries out, i’ll go back and review
Plum Valley Trail: When the trail dries out, i’ll go back and review
Jeff
A long time native of North Texas, I love to hike and mountain bike in my spare time. I’m always looking for some place new to explore, which is why I’m doing this site.
