Tandy Hills Natural Area

Review: Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth is a gorgeous place to see wildflowers and explore a unique remnant of the prarie ecoregion that Fort Worth was built on. Sadly, very few remnants of this land remain in its untouched state, so the preservation work going on here is critical. It’s important to follow the rules, stay on the trails, and leave it as you found it. It’s a beautiful and gorgeous place in any season, but especially in the late spring with the wildflowers blooming!

Distance: Hard to say. There isn’t an official trail count, but the 210 acre park is covered in trails to explore. This is less about the distance and more about the views, but there is a considerable amt of ground to explore here

Area of Town: South of I-30 on the eastern side of Fort Worth

Facilities: There are picnic tables and a playground off of View Street, and portable restrooms.

Suitable for: Walking / Birding / Wildflower Viewing

Type of Trail: Trail is natural, and very rocky in places.

Shade: There are some shady spots as you go down the hill, but the majority of what we explored was very sunny. So bring sunscreen and a hat

Where to Park: 3225 View Street is where the trailhead is, you can park along the street. There is no dedicated parking lot for the area

Official Site: Official Site or Friends of Tandy Hill

Nearby Trails: Fort Worth Nature Center, Marion Samson Park, Gateway Park

(They are updating the map, so this may not be 100% accurate)

Tandy Hills Natural Area is truly magical. You simply have to experience it, especially in the spring when the wildflowers burst into bloom, painting the entire landscape with vibrant colors and buzzing with life!

This incredible preserve boasts a rich history, dating back to 1960 when the city of Fort Worth acquired the land. It was then officially preserved as a natural park area in 1987. Today, the dedicated volunteers of the Friends of Tandy Hills group lovingly protect and enhance this invaluable slice of undisturbed prairie. Sadly, Tandy Hills is one of the few remnants of this unique ecosystem left, making its preservation all the more vital.

Nestled in the hills overlooking I-20 and downtown Fort Worth, Tandy Hills is easily missed. For years, I drove past without realizing the natural beauty hidden up here. After navigating a residential neighborhood, you’ll find nature suddenly opens up on one side of the street. There isn’t a dedicated parking lot, but you can find ample street parking along View Street and easily walk to an entrance.

Once you arrive, it’s crucial to follow the rules! Over the years, I’ve seen upsettng news stories of people trampling flowers for photos, littering with confetti from “baby reveal” parties, or engaging in other selfish activities. Please remember that countless hours of dedication and hard work by volunteers have shaped Tandy Hills Nature Area into what it is today. Show respect for their efforts:

• Stay on the marked trails.
• No mechanized vehicles.
• Leash your dog and always pick up after them (and take the bag with you!).
• No littering.
• Leave plants and animals undisturbed; do not pick anything as a souvenir.

We visited on a humid May morning, and while I anticipated beauty, I was genuinely unprepared for the sheer abundance of blooming wildflowers! According to iNaturalist observations, over 1,500 species of plants and animals have been identified within Tandy Hills – and after our visit, I absolutely believe it. Wildflowers were everywhere, as were birds and insects.

The trails are generally easy to follow and well-marked, though they can be rockier on the hilltop. We didn’t need a map; it wasn’t necessary. The prairie sits on a hilltop, with some trails descending towards a creek below. Since recent rains had left the ground wet during our visit, we opted to stay mainly on the top, exploring a few side trails on the northern side of the prairie. Looking at AllTrails, some routes can extend over two miles, but honestly, Tandy Hills is more about soaking in the stunning views than a strenuous workout. I’m eager to return and explore the trails leading down towards the creek on the western side. After wandering the trails, we exited back to View Street and followed it back to our starting point.

I cannot emphasize this enough: STAY ON THE TRAILS! I’ve seen on their social media that they even employ trail monitors to ensure visitors don’t wander into the wildflower sections. The reason these blooms look so pristine is precisely because they haven’t been walked through. Damaging the flowers isn’t just selfish; it also hinders volunteers from collecting seeds essential for the continued preservation of this vibrant ecosystem for future years.

Spring is undeniably a great time to visit, with plants bursting with color and pollinating insects everywhere. We observed numerous birds, drawn by the insects.

While spring is spectacular, I imagine other seasons at Tandy Hills are equally beautiful in their own unique ways. So no matter what time of the year it is for you, come check out Tandy Hills Natural Area!