Below is our list of of DFW State & Area Parks including the Dallas Arboretum and Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas.
Bob Jones Nature Center
Phone: 817-491-6333
Address: 355 E. Bob Jones Rd Southlake, TX
Google Map: click here
An educational center that includes 76 acres on the Preserve with access to almost 400 acres of Cross Timbers habitat on U.S. Army Corps of Engineer land and almost 20 miles of trails on the Walnut Grove National Recreation Trail.
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)
Phone: 817-332-4441
Address: 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107-3400
Google Map: click here
Hours: Mon – Fri @ 10am – 5pm; Sat @ 10am – 2pm
Cost: Free Tours
An international scientific research and learning center focused on conservation and knowledge sharing. The main collections at BRIT are our botanical library and herbarium. Check the AroundTownKids event calendar for upcoming events such as Science Saturday and story times.
Cedar Hill State Park
Phone: 972-291-3900
Address: 1570 F.M. 1382, Cedar Hill, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: Open 7 days a week year-round, 6am – 10pm
Cost: $7 Daily; Children 12 Years and Under – Free
Cedar Hill State Park is a 1,826 acre urban nature preserve located on the 7500 acre Joe Pool Reservoir. The Park’s proximity to major metropolitan cities makes it an ideal destination for families who want to enjoy the great outdoors without spending precious time driving.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Phone: 972-709-7784
Address: 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: Nov 1 – March 31 @ 6:30am – 6pm; April 1 – Oct 31 @ 6:30am – 8:30pm. CLOSED MONDAYS
Cost: Free; Donations accepted
Cedar Ridge Preserve is a non-profit natural habitat of 600 acres featuring: About 9 miles of trails, Native junipers, grasses, wildflower, Butterfly garden, Limited picnic areas, Wild animals, birds, insects and reptiles.
City of Allen Parks
Phone: 972-727-0140
Address: Allen, TX
Check out our Allen City Parks Page for a list of all city parks in Allen TX.
City of Frisco Parks
Phone: 972-292-6600
Address: Frisco, TX
For a complete list of City of Frisco Parks, see our City Parks Page.
City of McKinney Parks
Phone: 972-547-7688
Address: McKinney, TX
For a complete list of McKinney City Parks, please see our McKinney Parks Page.
City of Plano Parks
Phone: 972-941-7250
Address: Plano, TX
See our Plano Parks Page for a complete list of Plano Parks.
Connemara Conservancy
Phone: 214-351-0990
Address: On Alma Dr, just south of Bethany Dr, Plano, TX
Hours: See website for event hours
Connemara Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving and protecting open space and the natural beauty in North Texas for both present and future generations. Check out our Plano or Allen Daily Event Calendar for our Upcoming Events! We host family events too!
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Phone: 254-897-4588 or 1-800-792-1112
Address: 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX
Google Map: click here
Location: The park is located 4 miles west of Glen Rose. Take US Highway 67 to FM 205 for 4 miles to Park Road 59; then go one mile to the headquarters
Hours: Open: 7 days a week year-round @ 8am – 10pm
Cost: $5/Day/Person 13 and older – day only. Camping – additional fees apply
Dinosaur Valley State Park, located just northwest of Glen Rose in Somervell County, is a 1524.72-acre, scenic park set astride the Paluxy River. The land for the park was acquired from private owners under the State Parks Bonds Program during 1968 and opened to the public in 1972.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center
Phone: 214-309-5801
Address: 1206 W FM 1382 Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Google Map: click here
Hours: Tues – Sat @ 9am – 4pm; Sun @ 10am – 5pm
Ages: All Ages
Cost: $6/Adults: $3/kids 3-12 yrs; $/seniors; Free – 2 & under
Imagine a place where every child – and the child within us all – can discover the joy and mystery of the world in which we live. A quiet place where families and friends can find their connection to nature and each other.
On 1st THURS ONLY – FREE admission all day. Join us throughout the day for guided hikes, animal encounters, and children’s arts & crafts activities.
Eisenhower State Park
Phone: 903-465-1956
Address: 50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX
Eisenhower State Park, with 423.1 acres, is located in Grayson County, northwest of Denison on the shores of Lake Texoma. Some of the activities include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature study, fishing, boating and boat rentals, water skiing, swimming, wildlife observation, ATV and mini bike use (OHV permit required), and a variety of camping.
Elm Fork Nature Preserve
Phone: 972-466-9813
Address: 2335 Sandy Lake Road, Carrollton, TX
Google Map: click here
Location: Located within McInnish Park
Hours: 5:30 am to 10 pm daily
Cost: No admission fee to use the trails
The preserve offers an Interpretive Center with a nature education library, which is open for scheduled classes and hikes. Trails are open for hikes 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. A pond, environmental education classes and more are offered at the facility. Space in classes is extremely limited and because of their popularity they fill up quickly.
Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Phone: 817-871-7686
Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: See website for hours
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Conservatory – $1/Adults; $.50/ Seniors & Children (4-12 yrs.); Under 4 yrs – Free
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest botanic garden in Texas, is a lush 109-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color. A peaceful haven nestled in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the Garden is home to over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants that flourish in its 23 specialty gardens. Gardens are free.
Japanese Garden
Phone: 817-871-7686
Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: See website for hours
Ages: All Ages
Cost: $4/Adults on weekdays; Adults/$4.50 weekends & holidays; Seniors $.50 off regular admission; $3/Chil
Enter a world of mystery and enchantment in the Japanese Garden. Serpentine paths entice you to surrender your senses and discover a new treasure at every turn. Feed thousands of exotic Imperial Carp (Koi) that beseech your attention; some will accept a gentle caress in exchange for a few pellets of food. Stone, earth, leaf, and water become one in this 7-acre land of wonder.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Phone: 817-392-7410
Address: 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd., Fort Worth, TX
Google Map: click here
Cost: $5/Adults; $2/Children ages 3-17 yrs; under 3 free; $3/Seniors 65+
The FWNC&R 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, the area beckons to those searching for a piece of nature to refresh their spirits and reintroduce a measure of tranquility to their increasingly urban lifestyles.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Phone: 254-897-2960
Address: 2155 CR 2008, Glen Rose, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: See website – hours vary per season
Ages: All Ages
Cost: See website – prices vary by day
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is one of the most progressive conservation and education centers in the United States. Drive-thru Safari Park, petting zoo & more.
Grapevine Botanical Gardens
Address: 411 Ball Street, Grapevine
Google Map: click here
Hours: open from Dawn until Dusk, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Free
Located in the heart of historic Grapevine this beautiful treasure is an excellent place to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil surroundings of nature. These lush gardens offer visitors hundreds of varieties of plants to admire.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Phone: 903-786-2826 or 888-893-1198
Address: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge lies on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma, on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. Established in 1946, the refuge includes 3,000 acres of marsh and water and 8,000 acres of upland and farmland.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
Phone: 972-562-5566
Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX
Location: One mile east of S.H. 5 on FM 1378
The Heard Museum is a non-profit organization located in McKinney. It includes attractions such as Nature Trails, Exhibits, Bird Sanctuary, Native Plant Garden and more.
The Heard’s indoor exhibits provide an interactive environment in which visitors can discover, enjoy and experience various aspects of the Texas natural environment. There are several permanent collections as well as rotating collections.
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
Phone: 972-474-9100
Address: 655 Martin Lane Seagoville, Texas 75159
Google Map: click here
Hours: 1st & 3rd Sat 9am – 4pm
Cost: $5/Adults; $4/Seniors; $3/ages 5-12; 4 & under – Free
3,100 acres of man-made wetland habitat. The Center includes interactive exhibits; a classroom for hands-on educational and research use; and an observation deck to view the wetland.
Visit our events calendar to stay updated on their ongoing events.
Lake Fannin Park
Address: Northern Fannin County in North East Texas
Mountain Bike Trails, Camping. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4H Clubs activities by reservation only, no fee
Lake Ray Roberts State Park
Phone: 940-686-2148
Address: 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point, TX
Situated along the shores of a 30,000-acre reservoir Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex consists of 2 state park units (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch), 6 satellite parks, Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, waterfowl sanctuaries and the 20 mile Ray Roberts Lake/Lake Lewisville Greenbelt Corridor.
Birdwatching, water sports, riding horses or backpacking along a scenic trail, Ray Roberts has something for everyone.
Lake Ray Roberts State Park
Phone: 940-686-2148
Address: 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point, TX
Google Map: click here
Situated along the shores of a 30,000-acre reservoir Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex consists of 2 state park units (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch), 6 satellite parks, Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, waterfowl sanctuaries and the 20 mile Ray Roberts Lake/Lake Lewisville Greenbelt Corridor.
Birdwatching, water sports, riding horses or backpacking along a scenic trail, Ray Roberts has something for everyone.
Leonard Park
Address: 1000 W. California St., Gainesville, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: Open daily @ 10am – 5pm
Leonard Park includes an awesome playground and hosts the Frank Buck Zoo. The park features the Frankie Schmitz Express Miniature Train Ride. The Frankie Schmitz Express is a 1/4-size replica of an 1800s steam engine train. The train takes riders around Leonard Park and lasts about fifteen minutes.
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Address: 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX
Google Map: click here
Location: between Jupiter and Parker Roads
Environmental Discovery Center
Address: 4116 W. Plano Parkway, Plano
Google Map: click here
Cost: Free
Includes kids Discovery Garden, interactive displays, butterfly garden, self-guided composting, native plant & water conservation tours and more. Also available for class field trips. Kids in the Garden classes available too certain times of year. Environmental Discovery Gardens Classes are Classes are for grades Kindergarten through 12 (offered to Plano residents only).
River Legacy Living Science Center & Park
Phone: 817-860-6752
Address: 703 NW Green Oaks Boulevard, Arlington, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: Mon – Sat @ 9am – 5pm; Closed Major Holidays
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Parks & Science Center – Free
This 12,000-square foot nature center offers interactive exhibits, terrariums, aquariums, nature trails, and Saturday events. The Center also offers a variety of environmental educational programming for children and adults.
Spring Creek Forest Park Preserve
Phone: 972-205-2750
Address: 1770 Holford Rd, Garland, TX
Google Map: click here
Spring Creek Forest Park Preserve features trees that are estimated to be 300 to 500 years old. This is the only known location in the world where eight species of oaks are found growing together in the same ecosystem. Many of these trees soar to heights of 100 feet on trunks four feet thick. Over 650 species of plants & animals have been observed.
Tandy Hills Natural Area
Phone: 817-731-2787
Address: 3400 View Street Fort Worth, Texas 76103
Google Map: click here
Cost: Free Admission
Tandy Hills Natural Area is a 160 acre indigenous remnant of prairie located in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas. Noted for its unusually complete collection of prairie flora, THNA contains more than 500 native plant species. The show of spring wildflowers is unsurpassed in the Metroplex.
Texas Discovery Gardens
Phone: 214-428-7476
Address: 3601 Martin Luther King, Dallas, TX
Google Map: click here
Location: Fair Park
Hours: Open Daily @ 10am – 5pm
Ages: All Ages
Cost: $8/adults; $6/ages 60+; $4/ages 3 to 11; Under 3 yrs – Free; Gardens only Free on Tuesdays
A year-round organic urban oasis filled with natural wonders for visitors of all ages. 10 different themed areas include a butterfly habitat, native wildlife pond, scent garden, shade garden and heirloom garden.
At family events offered throughout the year, children and parents can share the experience of being amazed and inspired by nature’s intricate web of life. Gardening workshops and guided tours provide expert advice on using native and adapted plants to create backyard habitats for butterflies, birds and other native wildlife.
The Dallas Arboretum
Phone: 214-515-6500
Address: 8617 Garland Road, Dallas, TX
Google Map: click here
Hours: Open Daily 9am – 5pm
Ages: All Ages
Cost: $15/Adults; $12/Seniors; $10/Children 3 – 12 yrs; Under 3 yrs – Free
Set beside White Rock lake framed by downtown’s towers, the Arboretum features 66 acres of superbly of towering trees, flowering gardens and lush lawns. There’s something to see year-round from the gorgeous blooms of springtime to the luscious leaves of fall.
Trinity River Audubon Center
Phone: 214-398-8722Trinity River Audubon Center
Address: 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way Dallas, TX 75217
Google Map: click here
Hours: Tues – Sat @9am – 4pm; Sun @10am – 5pm. Closed Mon & major holidays
Cost: $6/Adults; $3/Kids 3-12 yrs: $4/Seniors; Under 2 – Free
The Trinity River Audubon Center offers something for the whole family – an interactive exhibit hall inviting hands-on exploration; 4 – 5 miles of hiking trails through the Great Trinity Forest and our prairies and wetlands; even our nature store offers enticing artwork from local artists and fun kids games. Want to spend some time together outdoors – then come on down to TRAC!
Twelve Hills Nature Center
Phone: 214-335-5974
Address: 817 Mary Cliff Road, Dallas TX
Google Map: click here
An urban preserve that serves as an outdoor classroom and passive recreational area. It seeks to educate both adults and children about environmental stewardship and community-building through the grassroots creation and maintenance of a native Texas blackland prairie, and small wetland.
White Rock Lake
Address: 8300 East Lawther Drive, Dallas
Google Map: click here
Ages: All Ages
Cost: Free
This huge (1,015 acre) picturesque lake nestled in the city of Dallas includes a Hike and bike trail (9.33 miles), numerous scenic picnic areas, fishing piers and an Audubon Society-designated bird watching area and wetlands site.
Windmill Hill Nature Preserve
Location: Southwest Corner of Duncanville and Wintergreen Roads
Windmill Hill Nature Preserve is 75 acres of land, set aside by the City of DeSoto and Dallas County as a nature preserve. Nestled in woods providing shade in the summer, there is a great hiking trail with gentle slopes and some very steep hills, which can provide a challenge at times.