Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Lewisville, Texas
While Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is committed to preserve, protect and restore ecosystems and native biodiversity, it also provides over 2,600 acres for exploring and recreational activities. Enjoy seven miles of hiking, 280+ species of bird watching and abundant wildlife viewing. The Trinity River runs through this preserve, and activities include camping and fishing, canoeing and kayaking, geocache adventure trail, pocket prairie pollinator garden, and guided recreational activities.
The foot trails are gravel or dirt paths that are suitable for jogging strollers, and wildlife-viewing blinds are available on some trails. Visitors can choose to stay on the roads or go on trails through the woodlands. Educational signs on wildlife that live there are great for kids to learn more about the habitat.
Bring your canoe or kayak for self-guided exploring Beaver Pond or the moving water of Elm Fork. Register for a Kayak Tour or try out the Art Boat to try kayaking to a secluded spot and painting the nature scene (all equipment provided, limited to ages 7 and up). Several local outfitters will rent canoes and kayaks and deliver/pick up and shuttle service. Check LLELA website for canoe and kayak outfitters, information on safe water levels, and everything you need to know. Register early since spots fill quickly.
Take a mile walk out to the Minor-Porter Log House built in 1869 to see low early settlers built log cabins from surrounding timber. Check LLELA website for tour availability.
Kids will enjoy the insect house near the garden that provides shelter for solitary insects such as bees.
Bring a picnic and enjoy the outdoors since food is not available for purchase. Check out the LLELA website for guided recreation including bird walks, campfire stories, kayak tours, kids fishing days, log house tours, nature walks and night hikes.
Know Before You Go:
- Open to the public 7 days a week. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
- Summer hours 7 am – 7 pm (Mar 1 – Oct 31) and Winter hours 7 am – 5 pm (Nov 1 – Feb 28)
- Entrance fee $5 per vehicle, cash or check only. No credit cards.
- No pets allowed since this is a wildlife preserve.
- Trails are for hiking only; no bicycles, horses or motor vehicles.
- Fishing license required for adults. Fishing nets not allowed.
- Bring water, sunscreen and insect repellant.
- Always keep a trail map with you.
Special needs:
Outdoor trails can be navigated with a jogging stroller with rugged wheels, and wheelchairs should be able to take gravel roads. Depending on recent rainfall, the trails might be acceptable for wheelchairs.
How to get there:
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA)
201 E. Jones St.
Lewisville, TX 75057
Other Adventures
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is 3,621 acres, making it one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States. It consists of prairie, woodland, wetlands and the Trinity River that allows for hiking and canoeing and guided or self-guided tours.
The Heritage Farmstead Museum
Watch history come to life to a time back when windmills pumped water, horses pulled plows, the food was canned in glass jars, sheep provided wool that was spun for clothing, clothes were dried outside, and big porches had old rocking chairs. History leaps from the pages of a book as visitors can see firsthand the life of early settlers to Texas.
