DFW Hiking: The Best of DFW!

 Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore the best trails the Dallas-Fort Worth area has to offer! Whether you’re an avid hiker, a mountain biking enthusiast, or someone looking to learn more about nature, the DFW metroplex has a trail perfect for you. From the bustling heart of Dallas to the scenic paths of Fort Worth, I’ve selected the top spots that cater to every kind of adventurer. 

 In this guide, I’ll break down the best trails in various categories to help you find your next outdoor escape. Looking for the top trail in Dallas? I’ve got you covered. Want to discover Fort Worth’s crown jewels? They’re here too. Plus, if you’re after educational trails or the best mountain biking trails, you’ll find those highlighted as well. And, of course, sometimes there was more than just one place to highlight, so I’ve also give you some honorable mentions. So grab your hiking shoes and let’s hit the trails!

For other DFW Hiking guides, see DFW Hiking: Hidden Gems, or DFW Hiking: Best Long Trails

Cedar Ridge Preserve near Joe Pool Lake is one of the most visited trail systems in the area, and for good reason! There are over 9 miles of trails to explore here. The way the trails are laid out, you can take as long or short a hike as you are in the mood for, with varying levels of difficulty. The Bluebonnet trail is easy, whereas the Cedar Break Trail will give you several challenging bits as you negotiate up and down some rocky steep areas. This is popular with hikers and trail runners, but no biking is allowed on these trails. This is the gold standard for Dallas trails!

Fort Worth Nature Center is another spot where you can rack up the miles. This spot boasts over 20 miles of trails spread across 3,000 acres near Lake Worth. You can explore the banks of the lake, through an ancient cross timber forest, even cross over to a small island. I’d recommend reviewing the map before you go, as some of the trails (like the Canyon Ridge to Greer Island) trail will require you to backtrack to get back to your vehicle. Also, there are buffalo! This is the only park in the DFW area that you can see a buffalo herd, that I’m aware of at least! There’s a lot to do here!

Runner Up: While Fort Worth Nature Center is an amazing place to explore, Eagle Mountain Lake also has a lot to offer. Fort Worth Nature Center just edges out Eagle Mountain due to the variety and mileage, but you can’t go wrong at Eagle Mountain!

If it’s distance you want, the LBJ Grasslands just north of the Metroplex has plenty of wide open space to explore. With over 70 miles of trails, this is somewhere you can get lost in. And I mean that, make sure you bring a map and GPS with you, so you don’t get lost in this large area of Prairie and forest. The trails are long and so I’d recommend planning your route ahead of time, and know that you may not always have cell service in some areas of the grasslands. You may not see a single other person out here, or you may see people on horseback as these are popular trails for equestrian riders.

While not in DFW, it’s not TOO far away for a day trip, and so worth the drive time! This state park boasts over 20 miles of trails to explore, set along the scenic Pauluxy River. You can get a great workout here in the vast park, which also allows mountain biking, with some great views once you get up into the hills above the river. The river is fun to explore, and as the name implies, you can see several dinosaur tracks preserved in the rocks. This is one of the most popular state parks in Texas for a very good reason, mixing water, trails and of course, the dinosaur tracks!

There is so much to like about Cedar Hill State Park! The park is conveniently located in southwestern Dallas county, which makes it fairly easy to get to, and it’s close to several other beautiful areas to explore (Cedar RIdge Preserve, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center). Home to the original DORBA trail, you can hike or bike to your heart’s content. There are also a few other trails to explore, access to Joe Pool Lake, and even a historic homestead to explore. There is so much to do here, it was an easy one to select!

This is a bit of a random category, but there are some great trails located outside of Dallas and Tarrant counties. I went back and forth a few times between Arbor Hills and the Herd Museum, I finally decided on Arbor Hills given the various kinds of things you can do here, and it’s free! Arbor Hills is located just west of the Tollway in Plano. This nature preserve boasts three miles of paved trails, a three mile DORBA maintained mountain bike trail, and maybe about 3 miles of natural dirt paths (depending on your route). There are also multiple bathrooms, a playground, lots of geocaches to find, an observation tower and picnic facilities. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a very popular spot, with very good reason. If you have’t been to it yet, it’s time to check it out!

Runner Up: This was a hard decision, and it really came down to price. The Heard Museum in McKinney is an amazing spot to spend a day outside in nature. They’ve got a small museum about the local ecology, there are playgrounds and animals to observe, lots of trails to explore, and a beautiful boardwalk area that takes you up over wetlands and other parts of the property so you can observe the turtles and other wildlife living in the preserve. While there is a charge to enter ($12 for adults last I went), I felt like it was well worth it for the experiences provided.

There really isn’t another choice in the area, that beats the North Shore Trail at Lake Grapevine! Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, this DORBA trail boasts of over 22 miles of single-track along the shores of scenic Lake Grapevine. Here you can choose an easier (but not easy) adventure if you focus on the eastern half of the trail, or a more adventurous journey on the west side. Here you’ll traverse ravines and rocky sandy trails. This trail is open to both mountain bikers and hikers, so keep an eye out for each other as this is a VERY popular trail across the metroplex.

Note: When the lake is high due to heavy rains, this trail can be closed until the lake returns to its normal levels. Check out the DORBA app to see if the trail is open or closed after a rainstorm.

River Legacy Park in Arlington is a great place for beginning mountain bikers to learn and build confidence. It’s ten miles of dirt trails, plus an additional 8+ of paved trails, makes this an ideal spot for all levels of bikers. The DORBA maintained bike trails are arranged to let you pick how far you want to bike, as the loops all from off a central trail. These trails are flowy with a minimum of difficulty (but Fun Town and EKG are there too, if you DO want a challenge). The trails are well laid out, and indicate with signage where you can pick an easier or more challenging route. A great spot for beginners or those not confident to hit some of the more challenging trails in the area!

Note: The trails at River Legacy Park tend to take some time to dry out after storms pass through. Check out the DORBA app to see if the trail is open or closed after a rainstorm.

While hiking and biking the trails in North Texas can be fun on their own, we have quite a few nature centers that can combine exploration with education! Trinity River Audubon Center is located in the Great Trinity Forest, along the Trinity River. The site of a previous dumping ground, the center is now a beautiful spot to watch birds, explore wetlands, and learn about the importance and benefits of the wetlands. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the Center itself is a beautiful structure, designed to reduce its environmental impact. Please visit and explore the grounds, but don’t forget to also explore the Center and learn more about the area and its importance to our local ecology!

Runner Ups: There are two other great places to explore nature and learn. The Heard Museum in McKinney was already mentioned above, but there is also the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center out in Seagoville. You may have seen their Eagle Cam on the local news, as a pair of bald eagles return to the location in the winter. The JBS Wetland Center also boasts an educational component, a beautiful boardwalk area to explore and view the local birds, and then a huge area you can also wander around.

Any other spots I’m forgetting? Hit me up in the comments and let me know!