Taco the Brew Dog’s 5 Best Hikes in DFW
While Dallas-Fort Worth may not be nestled in beautiful mountains, there are still plenty of hikes to be found nearby. Whether it is rolling prairies, ancient forests, or lakeshore trails, Taco the Brew Dog knows all the best places to enjoy some sunshine and dirt between your paws.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
This well-maintained preserve offers 7.5 miles of unique hiking trails, each marked with a difficulty rating. These trails are for hiking and trail running only and can get crowded with families and pooches during weekends and holidays. The park offers plenty of parking and overflow parking areas, but bring a few dollars or make a donation online to make sure that volunteers can continue to maintain the trails. Suggested $3/person donation for admission.
Favorite Hike: Cedar Brake Trail, via Cattail Pond Trail (~3 miles round-trip)
From the parking lot, take the cattail pond trail until you see the marker for Cedar Brake Trail. The trail will loop around 1.9 miles until it intersects with the cattail pond trail again, where you can turn right to return to the parking area or left to continue to hike to the pond. This trail is rated Difficult, and has a lot of elevation changes; for an easier hike, skip the loop and head straight to the pond where there is a viewing dock.
Bonus: There are several observation towers in the park, where you can view over the tree-tops and Joe Pool Lake to the west (Bluebonnet observation tower pictured).
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Sitting outside of Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley is a bit of a drive but worth it for the variety of activities it provides. With over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, water holes for swimming, and prehistoric footprints along the waterbed, this is a perfect park for a weekend getaway. Most of their trails are accessed via a river crossing, so watch the water levels and bring water shoes if you are worried about getting your paws wet. Admission is $7/person or free with a State Parks pass.
Favorite Hike: Limestone Ledge to the Overlook (2.6 miles, round-trip)
From Track Site #2, take the Limestone ledge trail until you intersect with the Overlook Trail. Hike up to the overlook for some great views, then backtrack to continue on the Limestone ledge trail. Loop around the limestone trail, and then continue it back to Track Site #2.
Bonus: For those hot summer months, bring a swimsuit and doggie-paddle in the cool waters of the Blue Hole swimming area after your hike!
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Located northwest of Fort Worth, this nature center is full of interesting creatures that get our tails wagging: bison, alligators, prairie dogs, and more! With over 20 miles of trails and several educational programs offered throughout the year, this is a great place to take the whole family to learn more about the nature around us. Admission is $6/adult, $3/child, and $1/dog. The nature center closes at 5pm, and no entry is allowed after 4pm, so make your hiking plans for early in the day to get the most out of your visit.
Favorite Trail: Cross Timbers Trail (3.37 miles round-trip)
Crossing the marsh and following the river for the beginning, this trail lets you hunt for gators in the water before taking you deep into an ancient forest. The trees provide nice shade during hot weather and the loop takes you right back to where you started for easy navigation. Want some extra miles? Follow the shoreline down the Riverbottom trail and back while hunting for turtles.
Bonus: Bring a kayak or canoe and enjoy the 6-7 mile paddling trail loop!
Cedar Hill State Park
This state park south of Dallas is located on the east side of Joe Pool Lake which is popular with boating and camping during Texas summers. While the interior of the park has about 5 miles worth of trails, if you follow the park road all the way in you will find DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) loops that are 3 miles, 8 miles, and 12 miles in length. Admission is $7/person or free with a state parks pass.
Favorite Trail: DORBA Short Trail (3.0 miles round-trip)
As this is a multi-use trail, hikers should take all trails counter-clockwise in order to best see oncoming bicycles. This trail gives hikers all the fun of the mountain biking terrain, with switchbacks, ruts, bridges, and tree stumps to navigate over. This area brightens up with colorful wildflowers in the spring, making for an even more enjoyable trek.
Bonus: Take a short detour to the beach just off the beginning of the trail, and catch a beautiful sunset while splashing through the water.
Marion Samson Park
Located within the 820 loop, this is a hidden nature oasis in the heart of Fort Worth. Views that overlook Lake Worth, miles of trails, and even a waterfall, you can’t ask for more than only 15 minutes from downtown. These are also popular mountain biking trails, so keep an eye out for the narrow trails. Admission to these trails is free.
Favorite Hike: Speakeasy to Dam Drop, with the option of JoJo’s Run (~3 miles round-trip)
From the trailhead, start east on Speakeasy Trail. The dirt path will eventually converge with a paved trail before veering back off into the woods on a dirt trail again. If you want to add a little more difficulty, I suggest taking a detour on JoJo’s Run, before rejoining Speakeasy. This trail will intersect the Dam Drop steep trail (0.5 miles one-way) which heads straight down to a fun waterfall you can explore.
Bonus: Grab a burger and a beer at Funky Picnic after your hike, just a short drive away. You earned it!
Honorable Mention
Oak Cliff Nature Center
Mineral Wells State Park
Cleburne State Park
Tandy Hills Natural Area
Eisenhower State Park
Tyler State Park
Author: Taco the Brew Dog
Taco is a husky-blue heeler mix (?) that adopted Funky Picnic’s co-owner Samantha Glenn almost 10 years ago. Taco enjoys hiking, camping, and chasing squirrels. She is also an unofficial member of the Pink Boots Society North Texas chapter.