If you live in the Metroplex, it comes as no surprise that getting in touch with nature can be a bit of a tricky feat. Sure, there are the obvious spots like White Rock Lake or the Katy Trail where you can get your sweat in, but the crowds come as a package deal. Not to mention the pavement. For those looking to get off the beaten path around DFW and hit the best hiking trails in the area, this Connecticut gal has search high (Frisco) and low (Cedar Ridge) to find the coolest hiking close to Dallas that pack a punch - and allows for the appropriate use of hiking boots.
Top Hiking Trails in DFW (An Overview:)
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve
White Rock Lake Hidden Trails
Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
North Shore Trail at Lake Grapevine
Norwest Community DORBA Trail
BEST HIKING TRAILS IN DALLAS
OAK CLIFF NATURE PRESERVE
~8 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking & Biking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: No
Cost: Free
The Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is one of those dense pockets of nature hidden in plain sight within the Dallas city limits. I foolishly made a joke about the size of the preserve upon my first entry but this 121-acre oasis ain't no joke. You can twist and turn within the property, with eight miles of hiking trails. Just, don't get lost. It's easier than you might expect.
CEDAR RIDGE NATURE PRESERVE
9 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: No
Cost: Free
This hilly DFW nature preserve is undoubtedly the best hiking spot near Dallas for an intense workout. There are plenty of beautiful overlook points at Cedar Ridge that will have you shocked that you’re still in Texas. There are plenty of different paths to pick from that will lead you through forests and valleys and past water features along the way.
SECRET SOUTH WHITE ROCK LAKE TRAILS
~2 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: Views of White Rock
Cost: Free
Okay, bear with me on this one but the wooded trails near the southern point of White Rock Lake are an easy after-work escape from the city. In order to access the trails, park in the White Rock Lake Waterfall Parking lot. You'll walk to the left on the White Rock Creek Trail. You'll notice a metal fence along the right, with an open gate one hundred feet or so from the parking area.
Once inside the gate, you can hike to the left and it'll ultimately lead you to the bottom of the Filter Building where you can walk up to the top of the dam with a view of the lake. Or! You can just wander around the little grid lines of trails until you get tired and want out. Head north (or straight) from the entrance area to get out of the woods and find yourself at the bottom of the hill up to the dam.
BEST HIKING TRAILS IN PLANO
OAK POINT PARK & NATURE PRESERVE
~8 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking, Biking, Fishing, Kayaking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: Yes
Cost: Free
With five miles of soft trails and another three in cement, Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is the biggest park in Plano. Clocking in at 800-acres, these hiking trails wind through the woods and the prairie lands cross under the GoApe Zipline Course and around Rowlette Creek. The changing terrains make this an awesomely unique area for hiking around DFW. Not to mention, there is a small little lake on site where you can load in kayaks or paddleboards for a change of pace in this Plano park.
ARBOR HILLS NATURE PRESERVE
~3 miles of unpaved trails, 3 miles of paved paths
Activities: Hiking & Biking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: River Views
Cost: Free
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano is quite possibly the most photogenic nature preserve in DFW; which is why you'll notice hoards of photoshoots spanning across the 200-acre park. The crowds can be a bit of a deterrent but heading there for a hike mid-week to soak up the beauty and sites sans insta-frenzies. Golden hills and incredible views are just a few of the natural scenes around the park. Your hike here will likely include time spent on the pavement to connect to the trails, so a pair of sneaks will do the job for this DFW adventure.
BEST HIKING TRAILS IN GRAPEVINE
NORTH SHORE TRAIL AT LAKE GRAPEVINE
~10 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking, Biking, Swimming
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: Yes
Cost: Free/ Paid Depending on Entrance Site
Oddly enough, North Shore Trail is one of the coolest terrain hikes in DFW but tends to be overlooked compared to the local nature preserves. The trail runs along the rocky cliffs on the north side of Lake Grapevine. The trail is shared by mountain bikers and hikers and you can swoop into the wooded area as well to switch up the vibes.
There are a few ways to access the trail. Rockledge Park is paid per car to get in but has picnic areas, bathrooms, and swimming spots in addition to trail access. Twin Coves Park is another entrance with a small fee. The best free option is Murrell Park.
BEST HIKING TRAILS IN FRISCO
NORTHWEST COMMUNITY DORBA TRAIL
~5.5 miles of trails
Activities: Hiking, Biking
Pet Friendly: Yes
Water Access: No
Cost: Free
This Frisco city park is an awesome hiking and biking trail that winds through pretty Texas prairies and wooded areas. The Northwest Community DORBA Trail was built and designed by the 'Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association' back in 2012. There are a few different loops that are inter-connected, but all in all, hikers and bikers can cover around five and a half miles of trails. Make sure you plan your trip on a dry day, as the trails are closed when the conditions are muddy.