I love living in the Metroplex! There is always something happening everywhere you turn. However, sometimes it can be nice to escape the city and be one with pure nature. The DFW area has so many nice parks, of course, but it also hosts a hidden gem that’ll have you wondering where the city even is! Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve is a beautiful urban oasis to go hike & forget about the bustling city life!
Location
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve is just Southwest of Dallas proper, in Duncanville, TX. It’s only about a 20 min drive from Downtown Dallas. The drive is beautiful and scenic, as well! The elevation increases, so be prepared for your ears to pop as you make your way to the preserve! The nature preserve is next to Cedar Hill State Park, so if you’re looking for a longer stay or a camping experience, I recommend checking out Cedar Hill State Park!
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve is opened Tuesdays thru Sundays from 6:30 am to Dusk. The gates will close 30 minutes after sunset, so be sure to make it back to the parking lot by dark! If it is rainy, the trails may also be closed, so I would recommend double-checking their website before heading over.
Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve Hikes
There are 13 different trails at the preserve that you can choose to hike. In addition, there is even one wheelchair accessible route, Little Bluestem Trail (.25 miles). Just based on the few times I’ve visited, I would definitely say that the Cattail Pond (1 mile) and Fossil Valley (.9 miles) Trail are the most popular to walk, and for good reason!
- Cattail Pond Trail: This trail will first lead you to this amazing overlook. I 100% recommend catching this trail at sunset because the way the sun looks as it sinks below the horizon is jaw-dropping! After you stand and stare for a while, the trail will then take you down to a cattail pond (accurately named trail, right?). From here, you can either walk back the same way or take the Fossel Valley Trail.
- Fossil Valley Trail: The Fossil Valley Trail is a bit of a more exhausting walk because the majority of it is uphill. However, if you do decide to try your hand at this hike, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views. From the scenic overlook on this path, you can actually see a bit of the city in the distance!
Events & Opportunites
If you love to volunteer then Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve has Conservation in Action Workdays. This is every 3rd Saturday of the month. On these Saturdays, you can help with habitat restoration, work in the butterfly garden at the entrance, and help with trail maintenance.
If you do go hike Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve, you must check out White Rhino Coffee! It is just down the street, and their Cold War drink is the perfect iced beverage after a long hike. Ok, maybe Gatorade is actually a better option after a hike, but trust me, the Cold War is delicious!
I hope you’re able to swing over to the preserve and check out the amazing views! If you want more travel suggestions around DFW and beyond, be sure to check out my travel page!