Local Trails We’ve Hiked
Click on each link for more details with pictures.
Last hiked November 26, 2023
Fort Boggy State Park is a about an 1,800-acre state park and has a small 15-acre lake, primitive campsites, a few cabins, and about three miles of hiking trails. It is half-way between Dallas and Houston in the town of Centerville.
Read more of the detail about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: About 125-150 miles.
Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Last hiked November 10-12, 2023
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is only about 45 minutes west of DFW and very easy to access for a quick get-away. We camped in the shelter area and loved our pretty remote site at shelter 15, which was the most secluded and even required a little hike in from the parking lot. The lake is beautiful and peaceful and hiking here was wonderful.
Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: About 90 miles
Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Last hiked October 7-9, 2023
Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway is more than 15,000 acres of scenic canyons, prairies, and plains with the added bonus of housing Texas’s state bison herd. More than 25 miles of trails are available for hiking, biking or horseback riding. This area in west Texas lies a whole new world that you must see and explore! We marveled at the remote Texas plains and wondered how a canyon could be found in this wide-open space that touted true wild Texas vegetation as far as the eye could see.
Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: About 280 – 300 miles depending on location
Last hiked November 11-13, 2022
Dinosaur Valley State Park is 1,525 acres of hilly, limestone terrain crossing the Paluxy River and several interesting ecoregions. There is a lot to do at this park, but of course we came to conquer several of the 12 different hiking trails that offer more than 20 miles of differing landscapes, overlooks, quiet backcountry river offshoots and interesting rock features. The main attraction at this park is the incredibly well-preserved dinosaur tracks, and we certainly encountered many of those.
Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: About 50-80 miles depending on location
Last hiked October 15-16, 2022
Huntsville State Park is located just north of Houston in the East Texas Pineywoods and Sam Houston National Forest. This is a beautiful area with a mix of tall, towering pine trees and hardwood forest. There are six trails of varying length and difficulty to hike here, but we only had time to complete three of them. Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: Ohhhh about 200 miles depending on location
Last hiked October 2, 2022
Fairfield Lake State Park is 1,460 acres of oak, hickory, cedar, elm, dogwood, and redbud trees surrounding a 2,400-acre lake. The park offers grassland prairies to the west and pine forests to the east with several trails that wind through towering trees and scenic overlooks. There are about 8 miles of hiking and biking trails, and one of them is available for equestrian use. Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: roughly 125 miles depending on location
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Last hiked May 30, 2022
Enchanted Rock is a huge pink granite dome located in the Texas Hill Country. The summit of this geological wonder is at 1,823 feet, and you can hike it all the way to the top! There are a total of 11 miles of hiking trails to try in this park ranging from easy to difficult. Read more of the details about the natural area and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 260 miles depending on location, 4-5 hours
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Last hiked May 28-29, 2022
Lost Maples State Natural Area is located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country. The drive alone to get there is quite beautiful, but once you enter this small park you feel like you are in another world altogether. This natural area is noted for its steep canyon walls, rugged terrain, and protected special strand of Uvalde bigtooth maple trees. There are more than 10 miles of hiking trails. Read more of the details about the natural area and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 350 miles depending on your location, 6+ hours
Last hiked May 8, 2022
Cedar Ridge Preserve sits on 600 acres of natural habitat. It has about 9 miles of trails where you get to see native trees, grasses, wildflowers, and butterfly gardens. Its elevation is 755 feet, so you get to experience some great views of the surrounding areas. Read more of the details about the preserve and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 25 – 30 miles, 45 mins to an hour
Last hiked April 17,2022
Sister Grove Park is 75 acres of hiking and biking trails located adjacent to Lake Lavon. There are four trails here to try out, all loop-type trails and totaling about 7.6 miles. For bikers it is considered a moderate trail, but we as hikers would consider it a pretty flat and easy hike except for the abundant tree roots that could be tripping hazards if one is not careful. Read more of the details about the park and the trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 45 miles depending on your location, about 1 hour
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Last hiked April 9, 2022
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States and covers 3,621 acres, including more than 20 miles of hiking trails. There are twelve different trails to choose from, offering a variety of habitats to explore, such as forests, wetlands, and prairies. The Refuge is also a sanctuary for bison, and if you happen to visit at the right time, you’ll get to see this impressive herd grazing in their pastures. Read more of the details about the nature center, refuge and trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 30-35 miles depending on your location (could be further), 45 min. to 1 hour
Last hiked April 3, 2022
Erwin Park is a 212-acre park with 10 miles of hiking and biking trails in large open spaces and beautiful natural wooded areas. It is free to get in and there are several parking areas, as well as picnic sites and playgrounds. There are two restroom facilities as well as campsites available for those who wish to stay the night. Read more of the details about this trail by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 30-40 miles depending on your location, about 45 minutes
Northshore Trail – Lake Grapevine
Last hiked March 20, 2022
The Northshore Trail is a great local trail in the DFW area that is at Lake Grapevine. This trail is a hiking and mountain biking trail that can get quite busy. This trail is 18 miles out and back that is near Flower Mound, Texas. It is considered a moderately challenging route with fairly good elevation changes going from bottom-land forests to overlooks of the lake. You can hop on the trail at Murrell Park, Twin Coves Park, or Rockledge Park. Read more of the details about this trail by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 8-10 miles, about 15-20 minutes
Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve – Bluebird & Walnut Grove National Recreation Trails
Last hiked February 27, 2022
The Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve is part of the Cross Timbers ecosystem, surrounded by more than 700 acres of Cross Timbers habitat with more than 20 miles of hiking trails. There are several trailheads where you can begin your hike, but we chose to start at the Preserve, which had ample parking and several interesting things to see. Read more of the details about the hiking trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 10-15 miles, about 20-30 minutes
Martin Creek Lake State Park Trails
Last hiked February 20, 2022
Martin Creek Lake State Park is a small camping and hiking area located near Longview in East Texas. It hugs the shore of a really pretty lake that offers great opportunities for fishing and boating. A huge drawback of this quaint little park, however, is that directly across the lake there is a huge power plant that emits a continuous hum that disturbs what could be a very peaceful little piece of nature. Read more of the details about the hiking trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: roughly 160 miles, about two hours and 45 minutes
Last hiked February 6, 2022
The Little Elm Lakefront Trail is approximately four miles of crushed granite which connects McCord Park to the Hula Hut/Hydrous Wake Park. The very beginning of the trail at McCord Park is paved until you get to the crushed granite portion which is after about a half-mile. This trail is ideal for hikers, runners, mountain bicyclists, and anyone who is looking for an easy trail. Read more of the details about the hiking trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 20-ish miles depending on your location, about 30 minutes.
Clear Creek Nature Heritage Center
Last hiked January 30, 2022
Clear Creek Nature Heritage Center is located in Denton about 30 miles or so from the DFW area. It is a 2,900 acre diverse habitat area with several miles of pretty easy hiking trails. It is located within Lake Lewisville’s upper floodplain and is managed by the city of Denton. A lot of the hiking trails follow along the Trinity River, and the area includes the confluence of Clear Creek and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Read more details about the hiking trails and the diverse ecosystem by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 30 miles, about 35 minutes
Last hiked January 17, 2022
Purtis Creek State Park is in East Texas just north and a little west of Athens. There is a small 355-acre lake where you can fish, boat, and swim. The park has almost 60 campsites, some of which are primitive hike-in sites. There are roughly 6 miles of hiking trails, all of which are rated easy. The park and trails are very tranquil and peaceful and a great place to go to get away from the big city. Read more of the details about the hiking trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 80-ish miles from DFW, a little over an hour southeast of Dallas.
Last hiked January 16, 2022
Tyler State Park is a very large state park in the piney woods of East Texas. In general, this is a beautiful area of the state with many pine trees as well as various hard wood trees. The park features a spring-fed lake and historical structures. The Civilian Conservation Corps created this park between 1935 and 1941. There are many things to do here such as swimming, boating, fishing, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. There are more than 13 miles of trails to hike in this park. It is a very peaceful and relaxing getaway close to the DFW area. Read more of the details about the hiking trails by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: roughly 120 miles, about a two hour drive.
Cross Timbers Hiking Trail – Lake Texoma
Last hiked January 8, 2022
We have done this trail several times and it is our favorite local trail within an hour or so of the DFW area. There are several trailheads to hop on. The terrain is moderate to difficult, it has great elevation gains (on one hike we did almost 1,500 feet in 10 miles), and the views, bluffs, and overlooks of Lake Texoma are SPECTACULAR! Click the link above for more trail details.
Distance from DFW: about 60-ish miles, about 1 hour.
Last hiked December 4, 2021
Eisenhower State Park is a great state park close to the DFW area. It is on Lake Texoma. There are a lot of excellent camping sites and some good hiking trails. Some of the overlooks and bluffs of the lake are breathtaking. The picture of Mike on the About section is of him sitting at the end of an overlook on a cliff of limestone far above the lake. You will not be disappointed if you visit this park and Lake Texoma in general.
Distance from DFW: about 80-ish, about an hour and twenty minutes.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch and Isle du Bois Unit
Johnson Branch last hiked November 20, 2021; Isle du Bois Unit last hiked December 26, 2021
Note: The Johnson Branch and the Isle du Bois Unit are in two different locations.
Lake Ray Roberts is less than an hour’s drive from the DFW area. Distance from DFW: 51 miles, about 50 minutes
The Johnson Branch Trail is a very nice trail with some elevation changes. Parts of the trail are heavily wooded and nice and quiet. There is elevation with small canyons, forest bottom lands, and views of the lake.
The Isle du Bois Trail was a fairly easy trail without too much elevation. It is a DORBA trail and it tended to go around in what seemed like quite a few circles and “switchbacks.” Most of the hike was interior and we never did make it to the lake for views or lookouts.
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Center (LLELA) Trails
Last hiked November 14, 2021
LELLA is a good local trail that borders Lake Lewisville. The trail is relatively flat, however there are parts of the trail system that can be very quiet and serene. It also has some very good views of the Trinity River. One thing you can do is bring a kayak and launch from a designated area and explore parts of the lake and river that you will not see when hiking. Be on the lookout for wildlife! There are deer tracks everywhere and plenty of birds and turtles to see. The last time we hiked it we didn’t see any deer. Oh deer!
Distance from DFW: 16.3 miles, about 20 minutes.
Last hiked November 6 & 7, 2021
Cleburne State Park is about an hour and 20 minutes from the DFW area Southwest of the metroplex. This state park has some very good campsites and some great hiking. The three trails we hiked are out-and-back, so plan for a long and strenuous hike if you do all three. The hikes we went on offered some excellent overviews with good elevation gains, limestone bluffs, and views of the lake. We found a lot of peace and solitude once we were out on the trails.
Distance from DFW: 70-ish miles, about an hour and twenty minutes.
Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit Trails
Last hiked October 16 & 17, 2021
Cooper Lake State Park is about 80-ish miles from the DFW area in East Texas right outside of Commerce. This park and trail system offers a lot of quietness and tranquility! When we were there and did some hiking, the Coyote Run Trail was very quiet, so peaceful, and so relaxing. In our two days of hiking and on two different trails, we saw a total of probably 10 people…all at the beginning or ending of the trail. We felt like we had the trails all to ourselves!
Distance from DFW: 80-ish miles, about an hour and a half drive.
Last hiked October 3, 2021
Fort Richardson is located in Jacksboro which is west of the DFW area. It was a United States Army installation that was active in the late 1800’s. There are a handful of historical buildings on the site and several trails. We were pretty disappointed with the trail system at this park but the historical buildings were interesting to see. Read more of the details by clicking on the link above.
Distance from DFW: 80-ish miles, about an hour and a half drive.