When most people think of Dallas, they picture gleaming skyscrapers, barbecue smoke curling through the air, bustling sports arenas, or world-class museums.
I’ve discovered that Dallas has another identity hiding just beyond the city limits: it’s a gateway to some of the most rewarding hiking and outdoor adventures in Texas.
I’ll admit something upfront: when I first visited Dallas years ago, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of trails or wild escapes. The image of North Texas in my head was all flat plains and urban sprawl. But then I ventured out, sometimes just 30 minutes and sometimes an hour or two from the city, and I found myself climbing limestone bluffs, wandering cedar forests, and following rivers that shimmered like liquid silver under the Texan sun.
I’ll share three hiking adventures I personally experienced near Dallas — trails that challenged me, surprised me, and left me sweaty but exhilarated. I’ll also recommend four more hikes and outdoor destinations that are absolutely worth adding to your Dallas itinerary, complete with details about location, services, pros and cons, routes, discounts, and booking platforms. Think of this as part travelogue, part guidebook, and part love letter to the unexpected beauty of North Texas.
My Three Personal Hiking Adventures
- Cedar Ridge Preserve: Dallas’s Backyard Wilderness
If I had to pick the trail that completely changed my perception of Dallas’s outdoors, it would be Cedar Ridge Preserve. Just 20 minutes southwest of downtown Dallas, this 600-acre oasis managed by Audubon Dallas feels like stepping into another world.
• Location: 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249
• Getting There: From Dallas Love Field Airport, it’s a 25-minute drive. From Union Station, a car ride takes about the same time. Public transportation isn’t convenient here, so I recommend renting a car or using a rideshare.
My Experience:
I arrived early on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, thinking it would be a casual stroll. Instead, I found myself on winding dirt trails climbing over rocky ledges, shaded by juniper and oak trees, and occasionally opening onto sweeping views of Joe Pool Lake. The sounds of the city vanished; all I could hear was the rustle of leaves and the call of cardinals.
The preserve has nine miles of trails, and I tackled the Cedar Brake Trail (2.4 miles). It’s rated moderate, but on that hot July morning, it felt like a proper workout. My shirt was damp, my calves ached, but when I stood at the overlook and felt the warm breeze brush across my face, I knew the effort was worth it.
Services & Facilities:
• Free parking (though it fills up quickly on weekends).
• Restrooms near the entrance.
• Maps available at the visitor kiosk.
• No water fountains on the trails — bring at least two liters if it’s summer.
Pros: Close to Dallas, free entry, surprisingly rugged terrain.
Cons: Trails can be crowded on weekends, and heat in summer can be brutal.
Booking/Planning: No reservations are needed. The preserve is open Tuesday through Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to sunset. Closed Mondays.
Personal Tip: Go right at opening time for cooler temperatures and fewer people.
- Eagle Mountain Park: A Lakeside Hiker’s Dream
Next up: Eagle Mountain Park, located about 90 minutes west of Dallas near Fort Worth. This one tested both my endurance and my sense of direction.
• Location: 11601 Morris Dido Newark Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76179
• Getting There: From Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, it’s about a 50-minute drive northwest. From downtown Dallas, closer to 1.5 hours.
My Experience:
This 400-acre park boasts five miles of trails winding along the shoreline of Eagle Mountain Lake. I chose the 2.5-mile North Shore Trail. The moment I hit the path, I was captivated: wildflowers dotted the fields, the water sparkled in the morning sun, and herons glided overhead.
The terrain is moderately difficult — expect rocky patches, uneven surfaces, and some uphill climbs. At one point, I sat on a limestone outcrop overlooking the lake, pulled out a granola bar, and thought: This is the Texas nobody tells you about.
Services & Facilities:
• Free entry.
• Large parking lot.
• Benches scattered along the trails.
• No concessions, so pack snacks and water.
Pros: Stunning lake views, wildlife spotting, well-maintained trails.
Cons: Limited shade on some sections; no bathrooms inside the park (only portable restrooms at the entrance).
Booking/Planning: No reservations required. Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Personal Tip: Wear sturdy shoes. The rocky sections can be tough on ankles.
- Dinosaur Valley State Park: Hiking with Prehistoric Footprints
This one was pure magic. Dinosaur Valley State Park, about 90 minutes southwest of Dallas in Glen Rose, isn’t just a park — it’s a time machine.
• Location: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043
• Getting There: From Dallas, it’s about a 1.5-hour drive. I rented a car from downtown and made a full day of it.
My Experience:
The highlight here is, of course, the actual dinosaur tracks preserved in the bed of the Paluxy River. Walking in the footsteps of creatures that roamed 113 million years ago gave me goosebumps. But the hiking is equally rewarding.
I hiked the Cedar Brake Outer Loop (7.5 miles), which offered rolling hills, river crossings, and peaceful forest stretches. It took me about four hours with breaks, and I loved every second. When I got hot, I dipped my feet in the river, sitting near fossilized footprints that once belonged to a sauropod. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Services & Facilities:
• Entry fee: $8 per person (kids under 12 free).
• Visitor center with maps, restrooms, and a small gift shop.
• Picnic areas and campsites available.
Pros: Unique dinosaur tracks, diverse trails, river access.
Cons: Tracks can be submerged after heavy rains; crowds in summer.
Booking/Planning: Reservations strongly recommended via the Texas State Parks website, especially on weekends. The park opens daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Personal Tip: Download the Texas State Parks app — it shows track site updates and trail maps offline.
Four More Recommended Outdoor Adventures
While I couldn’t personally hike all of these on my last Dallas trip, I researched them thoroughly, spoke to other travelers, and added them to my future must-do list.
- Possum Kingdom State Park
• Location: 3901 State Park Rd 33, Caddo, TX 76429
• About a two-hour drive west of Dallas.
• Famous for its clear blue lake and the towering cliffs known as Hell’s Gate.
• Hiking trails include the Johnson Peak Trail with panoramic views.
Pros: Stunning lake scenery, good for combining hiking with swimming or boating.
Cons: Farther from Dallas, limited cell service.
Booking: $4 entry fee, campsites can be reserved online. - Ray Roberts Lake State Park (Isle du Bois Unit)
• Location: 100 P W 4137, Pilot Point, TX 76258
• About one hour north of Dallas.
• Offers over 20 miles of multi-use trails plus sandy beaches.
Pros: Family-friendly, lots of amenities, good mix of short and long hikes.
Cons: Trails can get muddy after rain.
Booking: $7 entry fee, reserve online for campsites. - Turner Falls Park
• Location: I-35 & Hwy 77, Davis, OK (yes, just across the Oklahoma border).
• About two hours north of Dallas.
• Home to a 77-foot waterfall — the tallest in Oklahoma. Hiking trails meander through caves and along streams.
Pros: Iconic waterfall, unique rock formations.
Cons: Crowded in summer, higher entrance fee ($20 adults on weekends).
Booking: Tickets available online. - Tyler State Park
• Location: 789 Park Rd 16, Tyler, TX 75706
• About 1.5 hours east of Dallas.
• Piney woods setting with 13 miles of trails and a spring-fed lake.
Pros: Shady, peaceful trails; less crowded than closer parks.
Cons: Smaller park, not as rugged as Dinosaur Valley.
Booking: $6 entry fee, book online for camping.
My Personal Takeaways
Hiking near Dallas taught me that adventure doesn’t always require hopping on a plane to Colorado or Utah. Sometimes it’s as simple as driving an hour out of the city and lacing up your boots.
• Cedar Ridge Preserve reminded me that wilderness can exist just minutes from downtown skyscrapers.
• Eagle Mountain Park gave me Texas lake views I’ll never forget.
• Dinosaur Valley State Park let me time-travel with every step.
The recommended trails — from Possum Kingdom’s cliffs to Turner Falls’ waterfall — are waiting for my next trip. And I can say with certainty: they’re worth yours too.
For anyone planning a Dallas trip, my strongest suggestion is this: don’t underestimate the outdoors here. The city might pull you in with its shopping, dining, and culture, but the trails nearby will refresh your spirit in ways that urban life simply can’t.
Whether you’re chasing dinosaur tracks, climbing to an overlook, or cooling your feet in a hidden stream, you’ll find that Dallas’s hiking adventures bring balance and joy to any itinerary.
So pack those boots, carry plenty of water, and let the Lone Star landscapes surprise you. Dallas might not be the first name you think of when it comes to outdoor escapes, but once you hit the trails, it just might be the one you remember most.
