DFW Hiking: Local State Parks

Living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has its perks, and one of the best is the sheer abundance of state parks located within a short drive. Within just an hour and a half from DFW Airport, you can find yourself surrounded by the natural beauty and tranquility that Texas State Parks offer. These parks provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing residents and visitors alike to reconnect with nature and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

Texas State Parks are a huge benefit to the area, showcasing the diverse landscapes and ecosystems that the state has to offer. From dense woodlands and serene lakes to semi – rugged trails and scenic overlooks, each park offers its unique charm and a variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or someone looking for a peaceful picnic spot, these parks provide a welcoming haven for all. They are also crucial in preserving Texas’s natural heritage, protecting wildlife habitats, and offering educational programs that promote environmental stewardship.

In this article, we will explore some of the most accessible state parks near the DFW area, each within a 90-minute drive of DFW airport (as a midpoint for the area). These parks are not only convenient but also packed with opportunities for adventure and relaxation. So pack your gear, gather your family and friends, and get ready to discover the natural gems that North Texas has to offer.

Listed in alphabetical order:

Just NE of Dallas, this state park boasts a small lake and about 7 miles of dirt trails. One of the original state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Core, you’ll also find several structures built by the CCC including a footbridge, the dam, a pump house, and other structures. You can hike or bike here, or paddle on the 65 acre lake.

Cedar Hill State park, located along the shores of Joe Pool Lake, is one of the most popular hiking and biking spots in the area! Not only are there three DORBA loops here (3 miles, 8 miles or 12 miles), you can also hike on about 5.5 miles of other trails in the park. Another attraction is the Penn Farm, which you can explore buildings built over 100 years ago. Combine that with great lake views, and this is a fantastic natural resource right in the middle of the metroplex!

Cleburne State Park, located SW of DFW, is a beautiful spot to explore history as well as nature. One of the original Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) state parks, you can find several original structures here including the entranceway, a beautiful bridge and the impressive Spillway. This three tiered stone structure is best viewed when the water is flowing, but is no less impressive when it’s dry. With over 11 miles of rugged hilly trails, this is a great park to spend a day in!

Southwest of Fort Worth and not far from Cleburne State Park, DInosaur Valley State Park is one of the most loved parks in the state and beyond, often making national news when new tracks are discovered. Explore over 20 miles of trails in the hills or along the river, and of course see if you can find all the dinosaur tracks left centuries ago when giant beasts roamed the area! There is a lot to see and do here, you need to come visit at least once if you live in the DFW metroplex!

Off the shores of Lake Tacoma, just outside Sherman, you’ll find Eisenhower State Park. With beautiful views of the lake along a rocky beach with caves, you’ll also find 4 miles of trails to explore and a dedicated ATV trail system as well. The craggy rocky shores along the lake are not common in the relatively flat DFW metroplex, making this one of the more unique and beautiful spots to explore within 90 minutes of DFW!

Fort Richardson State Park, in Jacksboro Northwest of Fort Worth, offers a unique feature not commonly found in our state parks, a pre-civil war fort! If you go, please check to make sure you can enter the fort. While it’s open on the weekends, the buildings are only open during tour times on weekdays. The park also has about 12 miles of trails, 9 of which are along the Trailway which connects the reservoir unit to the main state park.

(picture above from TX State Parks site)

Probably the most popular state park in the area, given the huge amount of things to do! This is one of several units at Lake Ray Roberts, Isle du Bois being on the southern side of the lake. DORBA maintains a mountain bike trail here, over 9.3 miles round trip, which is known for being more challenging and rocky than other trails in the area. There are about 11 miles of hiking and equstrian trails as well, and that’s not even counting the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt Trail that extends south from the park along the Trinity. The lake attracts boaters and bathers alike. There is a lot to explore here, explaining why this is such a popular spot in the area.

The north side of Lake Ray Roberts has another unit of the Lake Ray Roberts State Park, the Johnson Branch. Not to be outdone by its sister, this park has its own DORBA series of trails, just under 9 miles in total round trip, and another 6 miles of hiking trails. The Dogwood Canyon trail is one of my favorites, a moderate 2.6 mile (one way) trail that is criss-crossed by some of the DORBA loops, with a few lake views at it’s apex. The trails here are not rocky like you find at the Isle du Bois unit.

Lake Tawakoni park is about an hour east of Dallas, giving visitors both beautiful trails in an East Texas forest, or lakeside views along the banks of Lake Tawakoni. This park is known for its wildlife, and I spotted five deer when I visited last time. With about five miles of trails and multiple spots to relax and enjoy the views, you can’t go wrong visiting this lovely state park!

Wrapping up the list is another state park located just an hour east of Dallas, Purtis Creek Park. Like Tawakoni, Purtis Creek State Park has about 5.8 miles of state parks in the East Texas woods. You can really feel like you’ve left the noise of the city behind as you explore the woody trails at this state park. Don’t forget to check out the Beaver Slide trail, which runs along primitive camping sites with some great views of the lake. Note, when I went I forgot bug repellant, and regretted that decision.

This list of ten nearby state parks (i.e. under an hour and a half drive from the midpoint of DFW) offers a lot of different experiences for locals! Whether you want an educational experience at Fort Richardson State Park, or a long mountain bike ride at Cedar Hill State Park, a quiet walk in the woods at Purtis Creek State Park, or want to explore tracks left from ancient beasts that roamed the area, there is an adventure just waiting for you at these nearby state parks!

Note: There is a charge to enter state parks for day use. Also you can purchase a yearly pass to visit the any park in Texas, as often as you want.