Dallas-Fort Worth Outdoor Attractions

Whether you visit the area or live in one of the two major hub cities or one of the many suburbs that are part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, you will quickly find that there are many opportunities for enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. Here are some of the most popular attractions for nature lovers:

Cedar Ridge Preserve – At a peak elevation of 755 feet, this 633-acre natural habitat features butterfly gardens, a native plant nursery, picnic areas and 10 miles of hiking trails. Cleburne State Park – Its mountain-bike trails provide more than five miles of beautiful scenery with challenges for bikers of all experience levels because the terrain in Cleburne is as diverse as its hills. Along with that, boating and fishing on the clear, blue waters of Cedar Lake is a great way for nature lovers to spend the day outdoors. Dinosaur Valley State Park – Located about an hour outside Fort Worth near Glen Rose, TX, this unique park contains fossilized dinosaur footprints preserved in layers of limestone rock. Along with observing the wonders of nature, it is an ideal spot for hiking, swimming and mountain biking. Fort Worth Nature Center – Surprisingly located within Fort Worth city limits, this serene, 6,700- acre wildlife refuge is complete with whitetail deer, buffalo and more than 20 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Zebras, giraffes and ostriches are just of few of the animals you’ll see when you tour this facility in Glen Rose, TX. Your entire family can also enjoy its nature trails, picnic area, petting pasture and playground. Lewisville Lake – This reservoir has 233 miles of shoreline and is very popular with those who live in the Metroplex for outdoor recreation and water sports. Swimming, jet skiing, water skiing, sail boarding, biking, fishing and picnicking add to the fun of children and adults alike. The River Legacy Parks – Centered in Arlington, TX, along the Trinity River as a preservation site, this is an outstanding educational, recreational and natural resource for families enhanced by river overlooks, picnic and multi-purpose areas, nature trails and a playground. White Rock Lake – This outstanding facility, covering 1,015 acres and centrally located in Dallas, offers an impressive array of outdoor recreational activities including a hike-and-bike-trail, piers for catching bass, catfish and sunfish and a bird-watching section designated by the National Audubon Society. Windmill Hill Nature Preserve – This facility in Desoto, TX, is an ideal spot for hiking and communing with nature as you travel along its foot trails and view the well-preserved flowers and fauna of the region at a leisurely pace.