While Katy Trail and White Rock Lake are both fantastic spots for enjoying nature, just 10 miles from downtown Dallas lies a wild, remote place that’s a fantastic outlet for family outdoor activities. From the laid-back visitor’s center to an unbelievable uphill climb, find out why Dogwood Canyon Audubon in Cedar Hill should be on your weekend bucket list.
It’s easy to find.
The Audubon is adjacent to Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve, close to Cedar Hill State Park. Simply hop on I-35S and head to Hwy 67.
It’s a hidden gem.
The Audubon opened in 2011, and many Dallas residents haven’t ever made the trip to check it out yet (read: you might have the trail to yourself).
It’s really pretty.
There are a lot of reasons why Dallas is a great place to live. Mountain ranges and gorgeous vistas are not one of those reasons. We residents accept this fact, move on from this fact, and then find ourselves pleasantly surprised when we discover a gorgeous, protected preserve that includes three different North Texas ecosystems: wetland, forest, and prairie.
You’ll be able to go on a real hike.
The Dogwood Canyon Audubon is the gateway to the 6000-acre Great Trinity Forest in South Dallas. Visitors have a choice between taking the stroller-friendly Canyon Floor Trail (.5 miles round-trip) or the uphill West Loop Trail (1.65 round-trip), both of which will give hikers fantastic views of tall cottonwoods, black willows, American elms and native pecan trees. Since the preserve falls smack-dab in the middle of the Central Flyway, be sure to bring binoculars in search of feathered friends.
There are bonus features.
Kids will enjoy a stop at the Nature Center, where they can meet Thomas the Turtle, take a peek at the carefully labeled specimens on display, and browse the bird observatory, which includes views of various bird feeders and birding books available for browsing. Afterwards, stop by the outdoor play area, an ideal pit-stop for tiny tanks. You can claim a picnic table as your own, measure your wingspan, jump from stump to stump, play with pond stones, and dig in the sandpit, all before heading home, exhausted and happy. Check in periodically for events like Bird Walks, native plant sales, and more.
Find it here:
1206 FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Have you explored Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center in Cedar Hill? Share with us in a comment below!
Looking for other things to do in Cedar Hill? Here’s our guide to visiting Cedar Hill, with all sorts of recommendations on shopping, dining, and more!
All photos by Gabby Cullen
