Best Outdoor Activities in Dallas
Best Outdoor Activities in Dallas: Dallas may not be close to any mountains or the ocean, and yes, the summers can be pretty hot, but it doesn’t stop the residents from enjoying the outdoors. In fact, this mostly sunny city (with 232 days of sunlight on average each year) has 125 miles of bicycle and walking paths, as well as more than 22,000 acres of parkland for nature lovers to explore. White Rock Lake, a 1,015-acre urban sanctuary with 9 miles of trails and recreation facilities including boating, canoeing, swimming, and bird-watching, is one of the most well-known of the bunch. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a breathtaking 66-acre haven of peace brimming with seasonal flowers, decorative shrubs, and exotic plants, is situated next to White Rock Lake.\
Oh, and did we also mention that Dallas is house to one of the country’s biggest urban pine forests, the Great Trinity Forest? A zip line trip with Trinity Forest Aerial Adventure Park is among the greatest ways to see it. At the Trinity River Audubon Center, you can tour the forest on foot if you’d rather stay on solid ground. No matter what your chosen outdoor activity may be, anyone looking for outdoor activities in the Dallas area may find this cheat sheet to be helpful.
CEDAR RIDGE NATURE PRESERVE
Dallas‘ geography is not as level as you may expect, despite popular opinion. At least not in this oasis of 600 acres that lies 20 minutes south of the city. The preserve, which is located at a height of 755 feet, has 9 miles of unpaved trails that run through a rich landscape of local fauna and vegetation. The best part is that there are numerous routes to suit every kind of outdoor adventurer. To obtain a bird’s eye view from the highest point in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, be sure to hike up the Outcrop Trail. Dogs are acceptable as long as they are on a leash, but bikes are not permitted.
Because Cedar Ridge Natural Preserve is one of the best places to hike in the city, it is suggested for outdoor activities.
TRINITY FOREST ADVENTURE PARK
In search of a surge of adrenaline? You’re in luck then. Trinity Forest Adventure Park, a seven-acre zip line and assault course park with over twenty zip lines distributed over six aerial assault courses, is located just minutes from downtown Dallas. All of the courses are identified so that everyone can proceed at their own pace, but it’s crucial to keep an eye on the clock because tickets are only good for three hours. A 3-hour adventurous excursion costs $59.95 for people 16 and older. In addition to aerial courses, Trinity Forest Adventure Park also provides outdoor laser tag for a half-hour with a maximum of 18 participants for each game for $75. Remember that reservations must be made in advance.
Because Trinity Forest Adventure Park is the ideal location in the metroplex for the rush of excitement who enjoy being outside, it is suggested for outdoor activities.
WIDOWMAKER TRAIL RIDES
Although it’s a cliché that all Texas own horses, that doesn’t mean we don’t occasionally enjoy expressing our inner cowboy (or cowgirl). And one of the greatest ways to do that is to join Widowmaker Trail Rides on a riding excursion. The two-hour rides, designed for small groups of people aged 12 and up, pass through 1000 acres of breathtaking terrain along the picturesque shores of Lake Grapevine. All year long, rides are available for $100 per person during the week and $120 on the weekends. The majority of the rides are private, which is the best part as they can only be arranged by appointment.
Suggested for Outdoor Activities because Widowmaker offers one of the best trips in DFW for those looking to enjoy the great countryside in a saddle.
WHITE ROCK LAKE PARK
White Rock Lake Park provides a perfect getaway without having to leave the boundary and is only five miles east of the city. Additionally, this urban paradise offers a variety of activities as one of Dallas’ largest parks (it is twice the size of Central Park in New York City). Around 9 miles of biking and hiking paths are available for visitors, in addition to a wide diversity of fauna. Not to mention that the 1,015-acre lake is an ideal location for pursuits like fishing, sailing, kayaking, and water sports. Did we mention that this is a location approved for bird watching by the Audubon Society? Events like boat races and music festivals should be kept in mind.
White Rock Lake provides city inhabitants with a quick getaway without having to leave the city’s borders, making it a preferred location for outdoor activities.
TRINITY RIVER AUDUBON CENTER
The adage “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is well known. Actually, the region was home to the biggest illegal dumping site in the state before the opening of this 120-acre nature park and conservation teaching facility in 2008. Now, the center, which is ten miles south of the city’s core, acts as a gateway to the Great Trinity Forest, a 6,000-acre urban shallow-root hardwood forest that is the biggest in North America. Five miles of hiking trails wind through woodlands, ponds, and Blackland grasslands, providing views of the region’s diverse wildlife. A butterfly garden and a discovery garden are available in addition to pathways and picnic spaces.
Trinity River Audubon Center is one of the nation’s top bird-watching venues, making it a suggested choice for outdoor activities.
DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
An 8-acre immersive children’s garden with everything from flowing waterfalls to a treetop canopy walk and a two-story tree house is part of this 66-acre sanctuary on the banks of White Rock Lake. It also features numerous seasonal flower and plant displays. The Arboretum offers a range of public events, such as art shows, concerts, and yearly festivals, in addition to educational activities for kids and adults. Don’t miss the yearly Dallas Blooms celebration in the spring when more than 500,000 annuals and blooming bulbs cover the whole park in a riot of colors.
The Arboretum is regarded as one of the top botanical gardens in the United States, making it a good choice for outdoor activities.
KLYDE WARREN PARK
One of Dallas’ finest community meeting places, this 5.2-acre longitudinal park is perched above a submerged motorway in the Dallas Arts District. It features a butterfly garden as well as designated sections for children, pets, and playing video games. Also, the park provides a wide selection of year-round programs, such as daily yoga classes, exercise classes, story times for kids, musical acts, and even movie screenings. Did we mention that the Dallas skyline makes for a fantastic background for a picture here? Another major appeal is the food trucks that are positioned along the side.
Because there are so many outdoor activities available every day of the week, Klyde Warren Park is the best place to go for outdoor entertainment.
DALLAS RUNNING TOURS
Want to see the sights of Big D while also burning some calories? In order to discover more about Dallas’ history, architecture, and artwork, start running with Dallas Running Trips. There are tours of Downtown Dallas, the West End Historic District, the Katy Trail, and White Rock Lake ranging in length from 3 to 18 miles. For the first 4 miles of a tour, the cost is $35 per participant, with an extra $5 fee for each additional mile. The business also provides running buddy services for people who want a little more encouragement or are getting ready for a race. You’re not a runner. No worries; if a fitness walk suits you better, you can do it too.
Because Dallas Running Tours is the finest approach to exploring the sights and working out at the same time, it is ideal for outdoor activities.
DALLAS ZOO
The 106-acre Dallas Zoo, which houses about 2000 animals from about 400 species, is the biggest and oldest zoological park in the state. Yet this place isn’t just your typical walking animal exhibit. The majority of the cages were built to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. One of these is the 11-acre Giants of the Savanna exhibit, which is the only zoo display in the United States where elephants and other animals coexist in the same environment. A children’s zoo, giraffe feedings, daily animal shows, a model railway, and a carnival are also available. Do you want to enhance your visit to the zoo? Finally, to experience a truly unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour, make sure to schedule space on the 90-minute backstage safari.
Suggested for Outdoor Activities Because Visiting the Dallas Zoo is one of the best outdoor entertainment options for the whole family.
HEARD NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This picturesque wildlife refuge and natural science museum will undoubtedly meet the needs of those seeking the ideal urban vacation. The Heard is a 289-acre wildlife preserve in McKinney, Texas (about 30 miles north of downtown Dallas), including 6.5 miles of nature paths, a two-acre native plant garden, live animal displays, and a recreation of a prairie town from the 1800s that includes eight playhouse-scale structures. Moreover, there is an interior learning center with a variety of hands-on exhibits, including poisonous creatures and a kid-friendly fossil dig. This region has been classified as a birding habitat by the Audubon Society, so keep an eye on the sky.
Suggested for Outdoor Activities because People of all ages are drawn to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.
