Cedar Hill State Park
Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Mine was very relaxing and overall uneventful, which was perfect for me. Maybe too relaxing though because it definitely took a little longer than I planned to get back into a routine, but I’m here now and ready to get back at it!
I don’t really do New Years Resolutions, but I do like to set goals for the year. One of those for 2022 is to be a more active participant in the outdoor community, which means making the time to join in on local events and hopefully start hosting my own. So what better way to spend New Years day than doing just that? I decided to join a first day hike at Cedar Hill State Park hosted by Explore More DFW. They’re an established company that leads hikes and outdoor yoga classes all over the metroplex, and I have been wanting to join in for months. I had already been in contact with them about getting together, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
After spending the whole morning in bed with a slight hangover coming up with reasons not to go, I pulled myself together and told myself that it was now or never. Even though it’s something I had been wanting and looking forward to, I just knew that if I put it off now I would continue to put things off all year. Master procrastinator over here — but we’re getting better. So anyway, I got my a$$ up and went for it, and I can’t tell you how good it felt. After weeks off just being back out there and moving was amazing, but the real beauty was the group experience. As always, everyone was so friendly and I met so many other people who got out of their comfort zones to show up that day too. I enjoyed getting to know everyone so much that I even stuck around for the longer hike, which I wasn’t planning on considering the previously mentioned hangover. Alas, a 4+ mile hike in good company turned out to be the cure I needed.
We met at the Talala trail head and started with a mini yoga session to wake up our bodies and align us with nature, then off we went. The Talala is a little over two miles of trail with overlooks of the lake and views of the surrounding hills. Those of us who stuck around for the extended hike then connected to the Plum Valley and Duck Pond Trails, which took us into the forested area of the park and around a small fishing pond.
Admittedly, this park isn’t one of my favorite for hiking trails, I prefer Cedar Ridge Preserve located just across Beltline Rd. However, that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of offerings here.
There is a 12 mile (with options for shorter) DORBA trail that attracts mountain bikers from all over the city, and that is hike friendly as well. Just be sure that you follow the signs to go in the opposite direction of the bikers anytime you are hiking a bike trail, safety first!
There is also a large fishing dock and several ponds available for getting a good catch. You’ll find anglers out here trying their luck on any given day. You can also launch your boat here to cast a line farther out in the lake, or just relax and feel the sunshine. Personally I like to bring out my kayak and take it easy. When the lake is low there is plenty of shoreline available to stop and take in a sunset, this happens to be my favorite local spot to catch the daily phenomenon. A swimming area, several picnic areas, and a historical family farm are all also available to keep you and your family/friends occupied for hours.
Springtime is definitely where this park shines with bright colors from Texas native wildflowers lining the roads and trails. During the summer months you’ll find a community of families out to enjoy the water, sunshine, and scenic picnic spots. The cooler temperatures of fall invite you to sit around a campfire and enjoy the company of loved ones. If you’re looking for a place to escape the city life — without driving too far or being too secluded — this is the park for you. Camp for a long weekend or just spend a day relaxing, either way Cedar Hill State Park is here to welcome you with open arms.
The more you know:
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, “The Cedar Hill area is unique because two ecosystems converge here. The rolling tallgrass prairie and its black clay soil clash with the rugged limestone escarpment. The park is reminiscent of the Texas Hill Country, and you may forget you are in the Metroplex.”
How to get there:
Trails:
Trails here are pretty well marked, I’ve taken the wrong one a couple of times but nothing bad enough to get you really lost.
Trails are a little rocky but mostly level. with not a lot of elevation these are great beginner or kid friendly options.
