The 10 Best Hikes in Tarrant County

While there’s no denying that DFW doesn’t have as many hiking locations as other parts of the state, there are still plenty of great hikes here in Tarrant County, many with inclines and declines well worthy of your favorite walking stick! From easy, paved trails to challenging hikes rewarded with scenic views and waterfalls, I’ve listed our family-favorites!

1. Airfield Falls, Fort Worth FREE. We love this great hike, just off the Trinity Trails near the Joint Air Base, which is how it gets it’s name. The trail head has a park with an air theme, too! It’s a nice, paved walk down to the falls, and the trail also connects to the Trinity Trails, for a much longer hike or bike ride if you wanted! The best time to go is in the days following a good rain.

2. Bluebird Trail at the Bob Jones Nature Center, Southlake This nice trail is great for families looking to get out and explore! Easy walking on an unpaved trail, then head to Southlake Town Square for a nice lunch!

3. Crystal Canyon, Arlington FREE. Located in North Arlington, this scenic 1 mile hike comes with a fun story, as this area is said to be the site of buried treasure! However, the area is named for the small flecks of gypsum crystals that shine in the sun!

4. The Trail at Eagle Mountain Lake, Fort Worth FREE. One of my favorite DFW hikes, this 5-mile loop hike takes you out over Eagle Mountain Lake! It’s a great morning hike, and during the Summer you can go cool off afterwards at Twin Points Lake Park, a great place to swim! No dogs allowed on this trail.

5. Fort Worth Nature Center, Fort Worth $5/adults, $2/children With 12 different hikes, it’s easy to make this a favorite hiking destination, but these trails also include spotting American Bison and one of the few remaining prairie dog towns in North Texas! The 3.25 mile Canyon Ridge Trail offers is the most difficult in the park, with steep inclines but hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Lake Worth. Our go-to hike is always Greer Island, the original Audubon trail in the park, which offers a great selection of songbirds and water fowl. The Wild Plum Trail is a must during Spring, when all the plum trees are in bloom! Wild Turkey and deer are often spotted along this trail, too!

6. Oakmont Linear Park, Fort Worth FREE This paved trail connects to the longer Trinity Trails at it’s most Southern end of Fort Worth, close to Benbrook, and features a waterfall along the trail. The nearby Trinity River Trail is a multi-use unpaved trail with inclines and declines. Both have heavy bike traffic, too.

7. River Legacy Park, Arlington FREE This huge park in Arlington, which runs along the Trinity River, offers great picnic spaces and a not to miss playground. The 5-mile, paved River Trail is great for walks or bike rides.

6. Sansome Park, 2501 Roberts Cut Off Road, Fort Worth FREE The least user friendly of the hikes, visitors are rewarded with a hidden waterfall on the river below the dam.

9. Southwest Nature Preserve, Arlington FREE Easy hike in Arlington with a gradual climb and you’re rewarded with nice sunset views of Fort Worth on a Summer evening.

10. The Trinity Trails, Fort Worth FREE Over 70 miles of paved trail in Fort Worth along the Trinity River, with multiple parking locations. Our favorite is to park in Trinity Park, then walk down for a drink stop at The Woodshed Smokehouse. It feels like exercise, anyway.

Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!

Michelle

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