If you are looking for the perfect day in the great outdoors, this is the list for you. Our friends at AllTrails gave us the scoop on the top 10 hiking trails for families in Dallas and we can’t wait to get out and hit the trail! We know the kids will especially love to hike to the waterfall on the Huck Finn Trail and scope out the butterfly garden on the Cattail Pond Loop Trail. You can even bring Fido along to join in the fun as there are several dog-friendly hikes on the list. Read on for the full list of best hikes for kids in the Dallas and Fort Worth area.
1. Duck Creek Greenbelt Trail
Duck Creek Greenbelt Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Garland, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running and nature trips, and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a nicely paved concrete loop trail offering lots of shade and wildlife sightings. It is a great family-friendly trail to explore.
Distance: 3.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
2. Trinity Levee Trail
Trinity Levee Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Dallas, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a flat paved trail with great views and is a popular spot for joggers and bikers. There are lots of opportunities for bird watching and it's a great place for kids to explore.
Distance: 13.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
3. Crosstimber Trail
Crosstimber Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Fort Worth, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round. This is a great hiking route for families and kids. The trail offers a lot of shade and numerous wildlife sightings.
Distance: 3.6 miles
Difficultly: Easy
4. Coppell Nature Park Loop
Coppell Nature Park Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Coppell, Texas that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Note: As of May 2020, the last part of this trail is closed, however this trail is still accessible. This loop consists of Callie's Crossing, Pete's Path, Stewart's Stroll, Latta Cut-Off, Marshall Trail Klingeman Trail, and Parish Path.
Distance: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
5. Huck Finn Trail
Huck Finn Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Richardson, Texas that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a shaded, short, family-friendly trail along Prairie Creek that goes by a waterfall.
Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
6. Riverbottom, Caprock, Prairie and Wild Plum Trail Loop
Riverbottom, Caprock, Prairie and Wild Plum Trail Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Fort Worth, Texas that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is a hidden jewel—a wilderness comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands reminiscent of how much of the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex once looked. Replete with native flora and fauna, this trail beckons to those searching for a tranquil piece of nature.
Distance: 3.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
7. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Trail
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Plano, Texas that features beautiful wildflowers. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a paved loop that connects to several different unpaved trails. It's a great place for kids to explore.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
8. Little Bear Creek Trail
Little Bear Creek Trail is a 5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Euless, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This trail connects multiple Euless parks including Villages of Bear Creek, The Preserve at McCormick Park, Trailwood Park, and Bob Eden Park. The main trail follows Bear Creek. There are multiple places to park, plenty of areas for kids, and a large dog park as well.
Distance: 5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
9. Cattail Pond Loop
Cattail Pond Loop is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cedar Hill, Texas that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This trail is very well kept and very well marked. Most of the hike is shaded. There are facilities at the trailhead and also a butterfly garden. This route follows Cattail Pond Trail to Escarpment Trail to Fossil Valley Trail back to Cattail Pond Trail.
Distance: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
10. Veterans Park Trail
Veterans Park Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Arlington, Texas that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This park offers a number of well-maintained paths. There is a small pond as well as gravel and concrete paths for kids and families to enjoy.
Distance: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Featured photo: iStock
