Eisenhower State Park, with 463.1 acres, is located in Grayson County, northwest of Denison on the shores of Lake Texoma.

Activities: 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.

Tours/Programs: Nature/environmental programs are frequently scheduled throughout the year and upon special request with enough lead time. There is a small amphitheater available for group use.

Situated along the shores of a 30,000-acre reservoir Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex consists of two state park units (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch), six satellite parks (Jordan Unit, Pond Creek, Pecan Creek, Buck Creek, Sanger, and Elm Fork), 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.

The Texas Outdoor Family program is designed to teach you and your family the basic outdoor skills you need to enjoy a great overnight camping experience.

Texas Outdoor Family (TOF) workshops are hosted at state parks where your family receives hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills. You will learn everything you need to create great memories enjoying the outdoors with your family, including:

  • How to set up and break down camp (including your tent)
  • Fire starting
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Guided walks
  • Nature activities
  • How to use a GPS
  • Geocaching
  • Introductions to a wide range of outdoor activities (such as fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching) depending on the site location, facilities and the season of the year

Best of all, no experience is necessary and you get all the help and advice you need from highly skilled outdoor specialists and trained volunteers!

Activities: Activities include camping; lake swimming (unsupervised); fishing; boating (no skiing/tubing, or jet skis permitted); rock climbing (climbers and rappelers must check in at headquarters); mountain biking; equestrian camping, horseback riding (visitors must provide their own horses); and hiking. Note: Trails may be closed during wet weather. Climbing is prohibited when the rock formations are wet (Call the park to verify climbing area is open, if it has rained in the last 48 hours of your planed arrival.) More information on the Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway.

Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The dinosaur tracks are located in the riverbed, so please call ahead to check on river conditions. There are two fiberglass models; a 70-foot Apatosaurus and a 45-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. They were built, under commission of the Sinclair Oil Company, New York World's Fair Dinosaur Exhibit of 1964 - 1965. Other activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking,Equestrian use in a separate 100-acre area (no horses furnished), river swimming and fishing, and wildlife observation.

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.

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. There is a bridge that crosses Ten Mile Creek, named in memory of the late Steven Ray Vaughan.

The Friends of the Katy Trail is a non-profit organization founded to
organize community support for the Katy Trail, to advocate support for
the Trail, to raise private funds for the completion of the Trail and to
help the City of Dallas plan, build and maintain Trail improvements.


The Katy Trail is a 30-acre linear park running through the densest part
of Dallas. The pedestrian and bicycle trail connects 125 acres of
interrupted urban parkland with more than 300,000 residents living
within a mile of the park. The Trail currently extends 3.5 miles from
Lyte Street near the American Airlines Center to Airline Road near SMU,
part of a future plan to connect White Rock Lake to the Trinity River.

Trail Hours and Map

Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. There is no admission fee to use the trails. Trail Map

History

The
Elm Fork Nature Preserve was purchased as a woodright in 1861 by the
Bramblitt Family. The land was never clear-cut and in 1986 the 40 acres
were given to the City of Carrollton as a self-contained ecosystem,
virtually undisturbed. Trails are open for hikes 365 days a year from
dawn to dusk.

Urban Sustainablitity / Green Nonprofit Organization

By Rita Cook

The Dallas Parks Foundation was a nominee in the 2012 Green Source DFW Environmental Leadership Award, Grass Roots category.  According to Samuel F. Stiles, Director of the Foundation, the foundation was founded  “Based on the Dallas Park Board's Renaissance plan, a long-range plan completed in 2002, [where] the city recognized that private funds would be needed in order to regain the quality and level of service last experienced in 1985 and to meet future needs.”

                           

Stiles says that while the city has made monetary commitments to fund many immediate park needs, a revival is needed. This revival would then fuel an ability to build facilities that meet current and future recreational expectations including hike and bike trails and linear parks where people can travel from one community to another along trails and parkways.

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. The ruggedness and scenic beauty of the area combined with over 100 miles of shoreline and the water based recreation on Joe Pool is a major attraction.

Activities include mountain biking, camping, birdwatching, hiking, picnicking, fishing, and more!

Pages