Walking and Running Trails in DFW

Isaac and I have always been fans of running outdoors, and if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time to do it! The weather has been gorgeous the past couple of weeks here in North Texas, and I’ve loved this nice taste of spring we’ve had. One of my favorite things to do is get out and enjoy the fresh air and soak in some beautiful sunshine. We are lucky to live in an area just a mile from an awesome park with wide paths and great scenery.

I have enjoyed running for a long time, but I really got into it during cross-country in high school when we would spend hours outside running the streets of my hometown. I loved going to meets where we ran through fields, down tree-lined paths and over little bridges. That’s when I really got hooked on running in the outdoors. I can probably count the number of times since then that I’ve run on a treadmill with one hand. There’s just something about treadmills that is not the same as going outside and feeling your feet hit the pavement and the wind across your face. 

Now that I’m a mom of two (and pregnant with number 3), running hasn’t been my exercise of choice lately. I love going to Bar Method (hello cardio, strength training and stretching!) and walking! I’ve always said that walking uses muscles that I didn’t know I had, and still feel that way today. It’s been an amazing way to still move my body without the stress of running on my body. I definitely miss the adrenaline rush of a good run, and know I’ll eventually get back into it, but for now walking is my jam. :) And thankfully the kiddos love it too!

If you live in the area and are looking for some new places to go walking or running, here is a list of some of the best trails to try in the DFW area. Some of them are places we’ve been to before and others that we plan on visiting soon!

1. Bear Creek Park Trail (Euless, Texas)
   This is where Isaac and I go all the time! We love how accessible it is and it’s great for running with a dog. It has beautiful scenery, plenty of water fountains, dog clean-up spots and Port-A-Pottys. The trail makes a 5.8 mile loop.
2. White Rock Lake (Dallas, Texas)
   We’ve been here a couple of times, and loved it. It has a 9.3 mile trail that goes all around the lake, and is a great place to enjoy some trees and gorgeous scenery in the middle of Dallas.
3. River Legacy Park (Arlington, Texas)
   This is a beautiful park in Arlington that we discovered a few years ago. You can run about 10 miles through the winding trails that go through both open and wooded areas.
4. Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve (Cedar Hill, Texas)
   You can read about our first trip there when we went on a hike (here), but this could also be a great place to try out some trail running! Isaac’s run a race here before, and I love exploring all the different paths.
5. Cedar Hill State Park (Cedar Hill, Texas)
   While you do have to pay to get in, this state park has some great trails to try. You have to “share the road” with mountain bikers, but there’s not a huge climb or rough terrain to go through, making it perfect for an easy hike/run. 
6. Trinity Trails (Fort Worth, Texas)
   We haven’t tried this place out yet, but I was amazed that there are about 40 miles of trails and 17 trailheads that run along the Trinity River. This would be the perfect place to use for a long run.
7. Murrell Park (Flower Mound, Texas
   I’ve shot a few photoshoots here, and know it would be so fun to explore the trails with the family! It actually connects to the North Shore Trail at Rockledge Park, but offers some shorter loop trails if you wanted something a little easier to do.
8. North Shore Trail (Grapevine, Texas)
   I was excited to see this trail, especially since we live so close to Grapevine. We have wanted to visit the lake ever since we moved here, but with all of the rain we’ve been getting, many sections of lake have been closed along with its trails. The North Shore Trail is around 9 miles long that runs from Rockledge Park to Twin Coves Park on the north side of Lake Grapevine. It’s great for runners and hikers, and I know we will run there in our very near future.
9. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (Dallas, Texas)
   This is yet another great trail found in Dallas! It has a 6.5 mile loop and it’s dog friendly. It’s a more compact trail than the others, with lots of twists and turns, but it’s a good place to go if you are wanting to ease into trail running.

I hope you try one of these places out! If you have a favorite running trail you’d like to share, please leave it in the comments below. I’d love any recommendations!