Cedar Ridge Preserve
Dallas, Texas
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, the Cedar Ridge Preserve is over 600 acres of hills, hiking trails, native trees, ponds and wildflowers. This escape from the city has over 9 miles of hiking trails to explore. The trails range from smooth and easy with no incline, to more difficult trails with elevations worth the leg workout. Animal and bird-watching is popular here, and the preserve is home to the endangered black-capped Vireo. The large butterfly garden invites visitors to explore with five senses as you hear the birds, smell the flowers, and watch the butterflies in the flowers . This preserve is popular as a great place to explore, immerse in nature, and watch wildlife, and you would never believe this is so close to the hustle and bustle of Dallas.
Cattail Pond Trail
The beginning of the trail is mulched and flat and becomes more rocky with gentle inclines the as you walk downhill to the Cattail Pond. The beginning of the trail would be fine for wheels, but you would need to turn around and return on the same trail since the terrain changes to rocky and uneven. For younger kids, going to Cattail Pond and back to the Butterfly Garden would be a good distance, interesting scenery and terrain.
Rolling hills of hardwood trees and prairies with wildflowers rival the Texas Hill Country. These white flowers are Snow on the Prairie. Expect to see butterflies and birds in these prairies, so bring binoculars to see them from the trail.
Rest a minute and enjoy the pond and hill views from the dock at the Cattail Pond. Watch for waterfowl, turtles and other critters at this peaceful dock. Look right and up the hill to see bee hives at a safe distance from the trail.
Fossil Valley Trail
Continue past Cattail Pond to Fossil Valley Trail to begin your ascent upwards to the Escarpment Trail for views. The Fossil Valley trail begins the ascent with cedar steps and trees growing overhead for shade. The higher you go, the fewer people you will see, but allow faster hikers to pass around you.
The Escarpment Trail
The Escarpment Trail is more difficult but so much fun with steeper cedar steps up a steady incline to the escarpment view, followed by a steady decline after the lookout. Anyone that is relatively fit should be able to manage this trail. My 7 year old did great but was tired afterwards. The total round-trip from the Butterfly Garden (by parking lot) to Cattail Pond to escarpment and back to Butterfly Garden was about 3.5 miles. The rule of thumb is 0.5 miles for every year of the child’s age, so 3.5 miles was about perfect for my 7 year old.
This trail is not suitable for anything with wheels, so consider a baby carrier for toddlers. Otherwise you will likely be carrying little ones for an extra leg workout.
After steady inclines to the top, stop and enjoy the birds-eye view from the Escarpment trail overlooking the forest and lake below.
Hike back down towards the Butterfly Garden for a serene and quiet moment watching the butterflies. Bring a picnic lunch or snack to enjoy at the picnic tables under the trees.
Special needs:
The Butterfly Garden on Little Bluestem Trail is wheelchair accessible. The trails near the entrance are smoother and flatter terrain, including Bluebonnet Trail, Mulberry Trail, Prairie Trail, Park in the Woods Trail and Backstage Pass Trail. The Cattail Pond trail is large round gravel which can cause unsteady footing and definitely not wheelchair or stroller friendly.
Know before you go:
Closed on Mondays. Open 6:30 am to dusk Tuesdays through Sunday.
Parking is limited and the park can get crowded especially on weekends. Consider weekdays for less people.
Bring insect repellant, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Watch for poison ivy on the sides of trails.
Free admission, $3 donation per person suggested to help maintain the preserve.
Dogs on leash are permitted.
Picnic tables available. Restrooms at Education Center.
For closures due to rain, check their Facebook page or call 972-709-7784
How to get there:
Cedar Ridge Preserve
7171 Mountain Creek Parkway
Dallas, TX 75249
(972)709-7784
https://audubondallas.org/cedar-ridge-preserve/
Link to Preserve Map
Link to Trails Map
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